Tony’s Produce gets ready to reopen – with more organics

Fans of Tony’s Produce (at 35th/Barton) passed by on Tuesday afternoon and noticed signs of stirring – Paul and Bruce both e-mailed us with news of the sighting. So, off we went to seek the scoop on the produce stand’s new season. Inside, we found Tony himself, cleaning up to start getting ready for 2010 sales. Anything new this year? we asked. Yes! he said – more organic produce – he’s been over in Eastern Washington getting a firsthand look at farms. (That should be good news to the very first commenter on our story about Tony’s opening day LAST year – Sage wrote, Tony also wanted to thank his customers for what he described as a “great Christmas tree season.” After his post-Christmas break, and the current round of cleanup, he’s planning to open for business at 8 am Monday, February 8th.

waman January 27, 2010 (8:55 am)

great produce, great prices, great people!

roguedelux January 27, 2010 (9:39 am)

can’t wait! welcome back-

charlabob January 27, 2010 (9:48 am)

I knew it was spring — Tony’s opening is much better than crocuses and robins. :-)

OP January 27, 2010 (9:49 am)

Yes!

Kate K January 27, 2010 (9:54 am)

And now with organic produce – yay!

Miles January 27, 2010 (9:58 am)

I close my eyes and see all the great priced produce and hear Sinatra crooning in the background!

Can’t wait until 2/8/10!

Bill January 27, 2010 (10:02 am)

Does anyone know if it’s ‘certified’ organic and where it comes from?

THANKS

celeste17 January 27, 2010 (10:30 am)

Not Sinatra but Dino (Dean Martin). Looking forward to him opening and looking forward to Tomato Plants.

SarahScoot January 27, 2010 (11:02 am)

The lack of organic as well as the apparent disregard for seasonal and local produce is exactly what has kept me from shopping at Tony’s. If they start carrying more local organic produce I’ll be thrilled!

deb January 27, 2010 (11:21 am)

Hooray!!!! Love it when I only need produce and can run up to Tony’s and not go to the grocery store….saw the stirrings yesterday too…..

Steve M January 27, 2010 (11:32 am)

I know and appreciate that Tony’s caters primarily to the price conscious consumer, but he would gain my enthusiastic business if more local and organic produce were offered, even if he had to charge a premium. Go Tony! More local and organic please. Thanks.

bridge to somewhere January 27, 2010 (12:02 pm)

sarahscoot is exactly right: i was disappointed that tony’s didn’t have very much local produce, which is kind of what i was expecting the first time i went. here’s hoping 2010 finds more local produce (which will find me as a customer).

KBear January 27, 2010 (12:30 pm)

I hope Tony continues doing what he’s been doing. More local and organic would be nice, but only if he can sell it cheap. That’s his niche. If he went all local/organic, he wouldn’t be able to carry things like bananas and limes, or vegetables that are out of season in Washington. There are lots of places to buy organic produce in West Seattle, but I don’t know of any other place where I can get everything on my list as cheaply as Tony’s.

GreenSpaces January 27, 2010 (12:37 pm)

Lack of organics made me steer clear – now I am glad I can recommend this to a friend to go back and check it out!

Donna January 27, 2010 (12:54 pm)

What is this weird obsession with organics? I’ll eat a piece of fruit grown with a conventional pesticide over one grown with organic pesticides any day.

mark January 27, 2010 (1:00 pm)

Go for it Donna!!!!

Meghan January 27, 2010 (1:16 pm)

“I’ll eat a piece of fruit grown with a conventional pesticide over one grown with organic pesticides any day”.

Someone doesn’t understand what organic produce is. Conventional pesticides are poison for your body. And depending on the produce item, they can infiltrate the fruit to the point where they can’t be washed off. If you can’t afford for all your produce to be organic (which is certainly understandable since it’s expensive), there are lists on line of which fruits and vegs are more important to buy organic (e.g. soft/pourous produce) and those where there’s not that much benefit to justify the price differenc (e.g. produce with thick skins).

Jacob January 27, 2010 (1:16 pm)

woohoo!

Donna January 27, 2010 (1:41 pm)

Meghan, you’re mistaken. I think I did pick up a thing or two in organic toxicology class. Anyone who believes organic produce does not contain poisonous pesticides doesn’t understand organic produce. The following is from Wikipedia, about pyrethrin, the most popular insecticide used in organic gardening today:

“Pyrethrins are used in many varieties of insecticide, fogging products and in some pet products. Care should be taken when using this substance around humans and animals. Overdose and toxicity can result in a variety of symptoms, especially in pets, including drooling, lethargy, muscle tremors, vomiting, seizures and death. Toxicity symptoms in humans include asthmatic breathing, sneezing, nasal stuffiness, headache, nausea, incoordination, tremors, convulsions, facial flushing and swelling, and burning and itching sensation.

Pyrethrin is extremely toxic to aquatic life, such as bluegill and lake trout while it is slightly toxic to bird species, such as mallards. Toxicity increases with higher water temperatures and acidity. Natural pyrethrins are highly fat soluble, but are easily degraded and thus do not accumulate in the body. These compounds are toxic to bees also.”

Sage January 27, 2010 (1:54 pm)

Far from the first commenter this time around, but I too am thrilled at the news that Tony’s will be carrying more local organic produce. If they carry a lot of organics and that new wine/beer bar (Locol) takes off, my little neck of West Seattle could be about to get a *lot* more attractive.

Miles January 27, 2010 (2:01 pm)

I do not believe this has turned into a debate on organic produce!
Nothing like taking a great place like Tony’s for granted people.

It’s like going to Peco’s Pit and complaining because they don’t have a vegetarian menu.

It is what it is and I love it!

Also, I swear I heard Sinatra in there too!

Diane January 27, 2010 (2:14 pm)

does Tony’s Produce take food stamps?
~
seems there have been several stories on here and White Center news re access to healthy and organic food in south end of WS

JoB January 27, 2010 (3:52 pm)

i am excited about the word local…
i don’t even care if it’s certified organic

JumboJim January 27, 2010 (4:55 pm)

Hooray for Tony’s for exploring this niche. I think it’s great we will have a choice.
–
Growing organically doesn’t simply mean spraying the crop with an organic pesticide instead of a (usually) petroleum-derived synthetic pesticide. Much of the process of growing organically is using different techniques of cultivating, fertilizing, monitoring, etc. so that you don’t have to use *any* pesticide. Sometimes growers still have to use organic pesticides but that is the last and least desirable response to a problem.
–
Also, organic agriculture is about far more than food safety for humans, although for many that is the most important part. It is also about keeping our groundwater safer, soil from eroding, petroleum from being used as fertilizer and pesticides, etc., etc.

mark January 27, 2010 (5:17 pm)

Donna,

Wikipedia? That’s like the Fox News of facts!!! (you make it up as you, facts be damned)

Chris January 27, 2010 (5:59 pm)

Go easy on Fox News. Fair and balanced is how I roll.

Anné Trifts January 27, 2010 (8:26 pm)

oh YEAH!

welcome back!
More organic…even better. I often miss the WS Farmers Market because I am working, now I have somewhere to shop local-fresh-organic daily.

(required) January 27, 2010 (8:32 pm)

Fox rules. But, Tony’s rules more.

Marie January 27, 2010 (9:49 pm)

Yay, Tony: welcome back! I enjoy chatting with Tony when I shop for vegetables and fruit. I enjoy walking to pick up these items. I enjoy being able to find out where things were grown (yes, some of it is local). I enjoy that distinctive smell, sort of a mixture of ripe fruit and moisture in the atmosphere. I’m sure that Tony appreciates direct feedback and wish lists from his customers and neighbors. Right Tony?

WSB January 27, 2010 (9:55 pm)

Re: where his produce is from – I know that over the years I’ve seen it written, though not necessarily consistently, on the little cards with the produce name and price – Yakima Lettuce, Goldendale Corn, Skagit Strawberries, that sort of thing. And re: the music, if it wasn’t Dino/Frankie, it was the old 97.3 oldies station, often blaring Motown – now that it’s news/talk, wonder where the dial will land?

Jtk January 27, 2010 (10:59 pm)

There is more pollution in the air we breathe then the kinds of pesticides put on produce. I used to love tonys until i found ouy his scam. He puts the older produce on the bottom of things cartoned like strawberries and raspberries and blueberries. Aa well as things like pea pods. Snap peas etc. So tge older more expired are in with the newer crop at the same premium price. I think he should keep them seperate and maybe not charge as much for things that have sat a few days. Rather then scamming the consumer to buy what LOOKS like awesome berries until u get them home and the stuff on the bottom is clearly OLDER! And ready to expire or has slight mold! Its very discouraging to me. As i loved tonys. But their prices are close to grocery store prices anyway.

WSB January 27, 2010 (11:22 pm)

Actually, for as long as I can remember, they have had a special display over by the front entrance that sells older produce mega-cheap. Have picked up some good deals that way.

JumboJim January 28, 2010 (1:42 pm)

Jtk, maybe you find the moldy berries on the bottom because those are the ones that get a little squished and don’t have air circulation. Not exactly rocket science.
Try to keep your cynicism in check and caveat emptor.

KBear January 28, 2010 (3:04 pm)

Oh, yes, I’m sure Tony gets up early every morning to hide those moldy berries on the bottom and drive away as many customers as possible!

Jtk January 28, 2010 (9:23 pm)

Jumbojim. Yeah the cartons with the holes in the bottom. And im not jut talking about berries. Im talking about pea pods and snap peas that get mixed together. That only takes a second to dump the old in with the new. Ive noticed dramatic differences in one batch. Some are very soggy. Some are very crisp!….. “not exactly rocket science”. You say? And in the same sentence u say keep MY criricism in check.
At any rate. I work hard for my money. And i hate getting 1/2 of what i pay full price for!!!! Having a bin for lower priced items thats one thing. Mixing in with fresh is another! I still go to tonys when im in the area. Im just more choosey.

kt January 29, 2010 (8:56 am)

Tony is great and that is why we shop there. He has always treated my son as a special customer. Tony has introduced him to new fruit flavors and allows him back in the “staff” area to sit and talk. As a regular, we always leave with something extra. My son has been waiting for the reopening. It is great seeing that he looks healthy again. If people don’t want to shop there, it leaves more for those of us who do. He does not seem to be lacking in customers.

Sorry, comment time is over.