Tip for Halloween Pumpkin Shoppers: Buy Local and Buy Early

Margaret McGrath, associate professor of Plant Pathology at Cornell University, comments on the current growing season and the availability of pumpkins to consumers this fall.

She says: “There has been a lot of concern about the pumpkin crop this year because conditions were very favorable for diseases to develop with all the rain during recent storms. But just like a bad flu season when many of us are able to avoid becoming sick, there are some nice healthy pumpkins available, especially for the early shoppers.
   “Our farmers put a lot of effort and money into producing top quality pumpkins and other produce. In a year like this when they have lost more than usual, it is especially important to buy local to help support these farmers so they can stay in business. They don't increase their prices to make up for their losses.”