Spinach Is Back At Farmers Markets

By Ann K. Williams
Staff Writer

September 27 -- Spinach lovers rejoice! The farmers markets have come through again.

While grocery stores throughout the nation have pulled the nutrient-packed leaves off their shelves because of an e-coli epidemic traced to the verdant treat, Santa Monicans can once again throw their favorite veggie into salads or make an elegant creamed side dish without fear of hospitalization.

As long as its locally grown – and that applies to produce sold at the farmer’ markets – spinach is safe to eat, according to a federal Center for Disease Control (CDC) advisory dated September 25. The tainted spinach has been traced to San Benito, Santa Clara and Monterey Counties, according to the advisory.

“We do not have any farmers from San Benito, Santa Clara or Monterey counties,” said Laura Avery, the Santa Monica Farmers Market Supervisor. “Our spinach was safe all along.”

The farmers who sell at the Santa Monica farmers markets grow their produce in Los Angeles, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Riverside, San Bernardino, Tulare, Orange and Fresno counties.

And convenience food shoppers can take a short cut and eat canned and frozen spinach if they want, according to the CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Two victims of E. coli poisoning have died since the infection was traced to tainted spinach, and 175 people were infected as of Monday. The cases are spread out over 25 states, but none of them live in Los Angeles County.

Commercially sold spinach, whether bagged, bundled or sold in bulk is still under scrutiny by public health officials.

For more information on the E.coli outbreak and prevention, visit www.CDC.gov.