Some Kentuckians choose to shop local amid ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak
HART COUNTY, Ky.- The CDC says its investigating five states linked to the cyclosporiasis outbreak in the U.S.
The organization states it has counted that 41 states have reported 4,173 cases across the nation.
Kentucky’s cases are extremely low compared to Michigan, which has over 1,000 cases. However, some consumers are inspired to shop locally as questions remain on the source.
“It’s not like the stuff that you can get in the stores. Yeah, I feel safe here,” a customer in in Dennison’s Roadside Market said.
That’s what one customer is saying in the Bluegrass State that are getting their produce from local farmers.
“Actually, it’s been good to us, because we sell locally. The lettuce and stuff we’ve got is coming from Fountain Run. It’s hydroponically grown. It’s safe, and we feel confident that it’s fine,” said Cathy Dennison, the owner of Dennison’s Roadside Market.
She said she’s seen an increase in sales.
Taylor Farms issued a recall in the middle of July for its lettuce, which was distributed to popular food chains like Taco Bell. All businesses associated with Taylor Farms have pulled their lettuce.
Dennison also said because of the Taylor Farms incident, customers have told her they are afraid to buy produce from big supply chain stores.
“They want to know where it’s coming from. That’s the main thing. But we carry this and it’s local and people feel comfortable getting it here,” she said.
The Dennison family grows more than half of their products on the farm behind their store front, and the lettuce is also locally sourced.
She said buyers should continue having good cooking hygiene.
“Just wash your vegetables. You know, that’s the common thing that you do is just wash your vegetables,” Dennison said.
Customers say they are confident in local, knowing the exact source where their food is coming from.
“You have to, you know, clean your food and rinse it really good, but here, everything is freshly grown except for some stuff,” said a customer in Dennison’s Roadside Market.
