We were eating lunch when in walked two strapping youngish men.
While they were waiting to be served the guests at an adjacent table were taking their leave.
They spoke about the weather, how cold it was.
One of the men said they lived on the mountain top and that he was originally from the cold northern clime of Indiana so he was used to it.
Mind you he didn't even have a coat on and it was 29 outside and snowing.
Mind you he didn't even have a coat on and it was 29 outside and snowing.
He said he and his friend were truck drivers. He was asked if they were local or long haul.
He said they did a run to California and back. That is when he told them the dirty little secret.
He said when they topped the hill entering the San Joaquin valley the sky overhead was brown; that the air pollution was horrible there in that valley where so much of our produce is grown.
And that the water they irrigate the crops with is unfit for drinking.
And that the water they irrigate the crops with is unfit for drinking.
He told them to soak any greens from California--like salad--in water for 30 minutes. Then rinse and spin in a lettuce dryer.
Now the secret is out.
Now the secret is out.
It makes me think this is the reason Californians make such an issue about food quality and safety.
They know the dirty little secret.
And now you do too.