Whole Foods and grapes

[LMPego]

I had some red Chilean grapes from Whole Foods last week before all the emails about the birds dying from the mold.
I could immediately tell myself that they were high in mold because I am allergic to mold. I did give one to Cory, but she didn't want to eat it (I'm glad she's so smart). Then I started reading the stuff about mold and kidney failure.
I sent an email to my local Whole Foods yesterday about my concerns with these grapes. This morning I had an answer from the store manager that he would be working with the produce manager to look at their stock and discuss the possible problem with imported grapes. He is also sending me a $10.00 gift card for the inconvenience.
I was very impressed with their quick response and will definitely shop there more now.

[MsSmurfy]

WOW are you LUCKY indeed that your precious 'Cory' didn't choose to eat it huh? I tell ya...my personal solution since such awful things happening...I simply choose not to offer grapes & certain produce anymore...its way too risky nowadays...you just NEVER know! I often wonder how careless people in such environments are when dealing with the so_called 'fresh produce'...etc...EVER wonder how much 'pestides' & chemicals have actually come in contact with ANY of that stuff?? Think about it~ the thought alone is frightening! EVEN for human consumption the RISKS are terribly nerve racking!

[Lisa B]

I told Shoprite yesterday..and the manager looked at me like I was crazy and totally dismissed my warning.

[Cheeky beaks]

I went to a grocery store, large chain type as I was almost out of fruits and Veg. for the birds. There were grapes all over the place and all were from Chile. I asked the young man loading up the veg bins if he could tell me if he had any grapes not from chile and what other fruits were from there. I explained what was going on with the fruit from chile and he didn't bat an eye, he told me what fruits to stay away from and then said apples from B.C. and mangos were the safest.
I'd bet the bank they already knew about the fruits as he tracked me down in the store and said the pears were from chile also, I was 4 isles down.
It really galls me how its ok for them to sell this stuff anyway. Ticked off. Joan

[Peregrine Harlequin]

Originally Posted by ParrotletLover

Soley an idea, but I would love to follow through and research it sometime.

Hey, why not give it a shot? Then you could give us the rundown when your 'experiment' is over. Things like how much effort and planning were invovled, how much time tending your new babies, and how much money you put into it.

I'd offer to try it, but I can't even keep a spider plant alive! :eusa_wall And I want to get a bird?

It's funny. I now have an uncle from Chile, and he's never been moldy. I guess it's only the fruit.

[Michellew]

My parents grow grapes, they do take a long time to grow (years to get a good vine going theirs are about 20+ years old), but I would say its worth it, their grapes are amazing.... but they are only available for a short time they do take a long time to ripen once your vines are big enough to produce. But I would think you could freeze them, my parents make grape juice and freeze it (or else it turns to wine :icon_mrgr so I’m pretty sure you could freeze the whole grapes too...
I guess I will have to tell them to save a bunch of them this year for Monty hehe since they don’t have grand children the animals are their grandbabies ;)

Michelle

[jen&friends]

I think its been common knowledge for several years that Chilean produce might not be safe - for people - because of the lack of regulations as far as pesticides go. I used to love the red grapes from Chile, but stopped buying them years ago....I have to wait til summer to get some California grapes. As for the mold...I feel terrible about what happened to all those birds - I can't imagine what that must have been like, but I'm still skeptical that a mold would cause such a sudden death. Of course, toxic mold is toxic mold - not something I want my kids OR my birds to eat! :icon_eek:

[Tiki1]

ALL Kroger Supermarkets in the SE currently carry Chilean grapes. I bought and ate a whole bunch of them (20-30 grapes) :eusa_naug 3 weeks ago and became very ill. :aiwebs_01 I did not associate the really bad bout with anything until I read something on these boards with the grapes. I was fortunate that the lady I got my bird from 2 WEEKS AGO told me about Birdboard or I might have fed them to my baby SUN, TiKi. I won't even eat them. Try Dole pineapple in the little snack packs. They will keep in the refrig well. My bird loves them!

[Feather Heaven]

Please give me some more advice about vines - my straggler is about 8 years old and last Spring I saw "flowers or bunches" and then they disappeared and the fall comes and guys and nada. Can you offer some suggestions?

Grazie,
Michelle L.

Originally Posted by Michellew

My parents grow grapes, they do take a long time to grow (years to get a good vine going theirs are about 20+ years old), but I would say its worth it, their grapes are amazing.... but they are only available for a short time they do take a long time to ripen once your vines are big enough to produce. But I would think you could freeze them, my parents make grape juice and freeze it (or else it turns to wine :icon_mrgr so I’m pretty sure you could freeze the whole grapes too...
I guess I will have to tell them to save a bunch of them this year for Monty hehe since they don’t have grand children the animals are their grandbabies ;)

Michelle

[Michellew]

Originally Posted by Feather Heaven

Please give me some more advice about vines - my straggler is about 8 years old and last Spring I saw "flowers or bunches" and then they disappeared and the fall comes and guys and nada. Can you offer some suggestions?

Grazie,
Michelle L.

Hi Feather Heaven, I will probably be talking to my parents today I will ask them for any advice they might have for you, I know one big thing is WATER!! they need LOTS of water if I remember right (thats why my mother-in-laws dont grow well she is on a well and they just cant aford to water it as much as they should in the summer) but I will get back to you with any other advice they might have :icon_mrgr
Michelle (W) hehehe