California lettuce growers, particularly in the Salinas Valley, are opting to destroy crops by plowing them back into the ground, despite federal health authorities not linking U.S. produce to cyclospora. This decision, taken by farms like Coastline Family Farms, has resulted in around 300,000 pounds of romaine lettuce being discarded, reflecting consumer hesitance even in the absence of evidence for infection.

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https://www.wsj.com/business/hospitality/california-lettuce-growers-skip-harvest-plow-their-crops-back-into-the-ground-f2020d89

California Lettuce Growers Skip Harvest, Plow Their Crops Back Into the Ground

Federal health authorities haven’t linked U.S. produce to cyclospora, but some consumers are still steering clear

Amira McKee

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A tractor plows under rows of green crops in a large field under a blue sky, with hills in the background. Some lettuce farmers are choosing to destroy crops despite no evidence of infection.Brent Stirton/Getty Images

In the verdant fields of California’s Salinas Valley, Larry Cox is watching his lettuce wilt.

Cox and his two sons run Coastline Family Farms, which supplies leafy greens to some of the country’s biggest restaurant chains and grocery stores. But this week, in the region known as America’s Salad Bowl, around 300,000 pounds of his romaine hearts were chopped and plowed back into the soil.

California Lettuce Growers Skip Harvest, Plow Their Crops Back Into the Ground

California Lettuce Growers Skip Harvest, Plow Their Crops Back Into the Ground

Federal health authorities haven’t linked U.S. produce to cyclospora, but some consumers are still steering clear

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