What’s Going On With Lettuce? Understanding the Recent Cyclospora Outbreak

What’s Going On With Lettuce?

Understanding the Recent Cyclospora Outbreak

If you've seen headlines about lettuce recalls lately, you're not alone. Many shoppers have questions about the recent Cyclospora outbreak linked to certain commercially distributed iceberg lettuce products, and what it means for the food on their table.

While the investigation is still ongoing, it's a good reminder of how our food travels, why traceability matters, and why supporting local farms has so many benefits.

What Is Cyclospora?

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that can contaminate food or water. People who become infected may experience symptoms such as:

• Watery diarrhea

• Stomach cramps

• Bloating

• Loss of appetite

• Nausea

• Fatigue

• Weight loss

Symptoms typically begin about one week after exposure, though timing can vary from person to person.

Unlike many bacteria, simply rinsing lettuce may not completely remove Cyclospora. Because lettuce is usually eaten raw, there isn't a cooking step that reliably eliminates the parasite.

Why Do Large Outbreaks Happen?

Today's food system allows fresh produce to travel thousands of miles and reach millions of people quickly. That's incredibly convenient—but it also means that if contamination occurs somewhere along the supply chain, it can affect a large number of consumers.

A single processing facility may receive lettuce from multiple farms, combine it during processing, and distribute packaged products to grocery stores, restaurants, schools, hospitals, and food service providers across numerous states.

If contamination occurs before or during processing, one issue can quickly become a multi-state outbreak.

Food safety investigations then rely on tracing products backward through the supply chain—from restaurants and grocery stores all the way back to processors, distributors, farms, and even individual fields.

Why Local Food Matters

One of the greatest strengths of local agriculture is transparency.

When you purchase directly from a local farmer or through a local food hub like Piedmont Fresh, there are often fewer steps between the field and your kitchen. Fewer transfers can make it easier to know:

• Where your food was grown

• Who grew it

• When it was harvested

• How it was handled

Local doesn't automatically mean risk-free—every farm has a responsibility to follow safe growing and handling practices—but shorter supply chains often make products easier to trace if a problem does occur.

Where Did the Lettuce Go?

If you've noticed fewer local lettuce options this time of year, that's actually normal.

Here in the North Carolina Piedmont, lettuce is a cool-season crop. High summer temperatures cause lettuce to bolt, become bitter, and stop producing the tender leaves most people enjoy.

Many local growers intentionally pause lettuce production during the hottest weeks of summer before planting again for the fall season.

The good news? Fall lettuce is already on the way. Many North Carolina farmers have begun seeding now so they'll have fresh harvests ready as temperatures cool.

Seasonal eating not only supports local farms but also lets you enjoy produce at its peak freshness and flavor.

Free Cyclospora Webinar

Want to hear directly from food safety experts?

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, and the NC State Produce Safety Program are hosting a free educational webinar to discuss the current Cyclospora cases in North Carolina.

🗓 Friday, July 31
🕛 12:00–1:15 p.m.
📍 Via Zoom

Topics include:

• Current Cyclospora cases in North Carolina

• Investigation and response efforts

• Produce farm safety practices

• Preventing Cyclospora contamination

Questions and answers with food safety experts

Advance registration is required to receive the Zoom link.

Looking Ahead

At Piedmont Fresh, we're excited for the arrival of fall harvests. Soon you'll begin seeing crisp lettuce, leafy greens, root vegetables, and other cool-season favorites from our local growers.

Supporting local agriculture means supporting farmers who care deeply about growing safe, fresh food for our communities.

We look forward to helping bring those fall flavors from our farms to your table.

I think this version reads more like a community blog than a news article. It educates readers without creating unnecessary fear, reinforces the value of local food, and naturally transitions into promoting the NC educational webinar.

What’s Growing? A Lot. What’s New? Even More.

What’s Growing? A Lot. What’s New? Even More.

Summer has officially arrived, and Davidson County’s local food scene is in full swing! From farmers markets overflowing with fresh harvests to new products making their way into the community, there is always something exciting growing right here at home.

This time of year is one of the best for shopping local. Farmers are bringing in some of the season’s favorites, including juicy blueberries, ripe tomatoes, crisp lettuce, fresh herbs, colorful florals, and so much more. Each week brings something new as local growers continue to harvest the fruits (and vegetables!) of their hard work.

If you haven’t visited your local farmers market lately, now is the perfect time to stop by. The Thomasville and Lexington Farmers Markets are open every Saturday from 8 AM–12 PM, offering a chance to meet local farmers, discover fresh products, and support the people who help keep our community’s food system thriving.

Shopping locally means more than just bringing home fresh food. It helps strengthen our local economy, supports family farms, and keeps more of your food dollars right here in Davidson County. Plus, there’s nothing quite like enjoying produce that was grown just down the road and harvested at its peak.

👀 Something New is Coming to Piedmont Fresh

We have something exciting in the works! While we can’t share all the details just yet, we have a little surprise coming soon that we think our local food community will love.

Make sure you’re following the Piedmont Fresh Facebook page so you don’t miss the announcement. Trust us, you’ll want to stay tuned!

🌻 Grow Your Garden Knowledge

Want to take your gardening skills to the next level? Davidson County Cooperative Extension is offering a free Gardening Class Series this season for anyone interested in learning more about growing, landscaping, and caring for outdoor spaces.

Whether you’re planting your first backyard garden or looking to expand your knowledge, these workshops offer helpful information for gardeners of all experience levels. Topics include vegetable gardening, home fruits, healthy lawns, ornamentals, soils and composting, and pest management.

Classes will be held August 4 through September 8 from 9 AM–12 PM at the Davidson County Agricultural Center in Lexington. These workshops are a great opportunity to learn from local experts, connect with other gardeners, and build confidence in your own growing journey.

🌱 Register here: go.ncsu.edu/davidson-gardens

From the farmers who are harvesting fresh summer crops to the gardeners learning how to grow their own, there is always something new taking root in our community. We’re excited to continue sharing the stories, people, and products that make our local food system so special.

Stay tuned, because there’s always something growing!

The Taste of Summer: Heirloom Tomatoes & Recipe

The Taste of Summer: Why Local Heirloom Tomatoes Are Worth the Wait + A Fried Green Tomato Recipe

There is nothing quite like the first bite of a summer tomato picked fresh from the farm. Juicy, flavorful, and full of that unmistakable garden-fresh taste, locally grown tomatoes are one of the season’s most anticipated harvests.

While grocery store tomatoes can be convenient, many people notice a big difference when they taste a tomato grown locally and harvested at peak ripeness. Local farmers have the opportunity to grow varieties chosen for flavor, texture, and quality, bringing you tomatoes that are as beautiful as they are delicious.

This summer, Piedmont Fresh is excited to welcome fresh tomatoes from Correll Farms as they come into season. These locally grown tomatoes are harvested at the right time and delivered fresh to customers looking to enjoy the best flavors of summer.

What Makes Heirloom Tomatoes So Special?

Heirloom tomatoes are some of the most unique and flavorful varieties you can find. Unlike many commercial tomato varieties that are bred primarily for long-distance shipping and uniform appearance, heirlooms are often grown because of their incredible taste and history.

Many heirloom varieties have been saved and passed down through generations of farmers and gardeners. They come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, including deep purple, yellow, orange, green, and striped varieties.

Some popular heirloom varieties include Cherokee Purple, Brandywine, and Mortgage Lifter. Each variety has its own flavor profile, from sweet and fruity to rich and slightly smoky.

The best part? Their flavor shines with simple preparation. A slice of a ripe heirloom tomato with a little salt and pepper can be one of summer’s easiest and most delicious treats.

Why Do Local Tomatoes Taste Better?

The difference often comes down to how tomatoes are grown, harvested, and transported.

Farm-fresh tomatoes are typically:

• Picked when they are ripe and ready to eat

• Allowed more time on the vine to develop flavor

• Grown in smaller batches with attention to quality

• Available in unique varieties that are not commonly found in stores

Many grocery store tomatoes are harvested before they are fully ripe so they can handle transportation and stay fresh longer. While this helps tomatoes travel across the country, it can also mean missing out on some of the flavor that develops naturally while ripening on the vine.

When you buy local, you get the chance to enjoy tomatoes the way they were meant to be enjoyed: fresh, flavorful, and in season.

Celebrate Summer Tomatoes with Piedmont Fresh

Supporting local tomatoes means supporting the farmers who grow them. Every purchase helps keep dollars within our local food system and allows small farms to continue producing fresh, seasonal food for our communities.

Keep an eye on Piedmont Fresh’s weekly offerings as tomatoes become available from Correll Farms and other local producers. Whether you are making a fresh summer salad, topping a sandwich, or cooking up a classic Southern recipe, locally grown tomatoes are a delicious way to taste the season.

Crispy Southern Fried Green Tomatoes

Before tomatoes fully ripen into their sweet, juicy summer state, green tomatoes offer a delicious opportunity to enjoy a Southern classic: fried green tomatoes.

Ingredients:

• 4 medium green tomatoes

• 1 cup cornmeal

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (optional for extra crunch)

• 1 egg

• 1/2 cup buttermilk

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

• Cooking oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Slice green tomatoes into approximately 1/4-inch slices.

2. Lightly sprinkle the slices with salt and allow them to sit for about 10 minutes. Pat dry with a paper towel.

3. In one bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

4. In another bowl, whisk together the egg and buttermilk.

5. Dip each tomato slice into the flour mixture, then the egg mixture, and back into the coating mixture.

6. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.

7. Fry tomato slices for about 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy.

8. Remove and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce, alongside grilled favorites, or enjoy them as a summertime snack.

Taste the Difference of Local

Summer tomatoes are here for a limited time, and there is no better way to enjoy them than fresh from local farms. Shop Piedmont Fresh for seasonal produce and support the farmers who bring fresh food from their fields to your table.