A hardy thanks to Jim Larsen! (Editor’s Column, July 9.) Having grown up in the Midwest and spent my career in the San Francisco Bay area, I have, until now, remained unaware of the satisfaction of eating substandard vegetables and fruit.

I have often complemented the staff of the large grocery where I shop on their continuing logistics miracle, over the span of the entire year, of presenting to us fresh, perfect vegetables and fruit that are fully ripe in two or three days.

I have found in some smaller shops poorly pollenized or overripe fruit and vegetables with misshapen and missing portions. Alas, I was unsophisticated enough to believe that this was the result of a poor growing climate or poor husbandry. Even after enjoying one semester courses in pomology and field crops in college.

Perhaps Mr. Larsen could keep us informed of locations where we can be sure of finding ill-formed fruit and vegetables, so we inexperienced consumers can share the same quality fruit and vegetables that Mr. Larsen is now enjoying.

With hope for a more enlightened personal culinary experience,

John Adams

Oak Harbor