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Rocky Ford produce farmers feeling financial pain

The Associated Press
In this Sept. 15, 2011 photo, Bill Sackett stands next to cantaloupes that are not subject to the recent recall at his Rocky Ford, Colo. farm market. Jensen Farms in Holly, Colo., about a hundred miles from Rocky Ford, has issued a recall of cantaloupe following a Listeria outbreak that has killed at least two people, sickened 22 and spread to several states. (AP Photo/The Denver Post, Hyoung Chang) MANDATORY CREDIT; MAGS OUT; TV OUT
AP | The Denver Post

ROCKY FORD, Colo. (AP) – Rocky Ford farmers say cantaloupes aren’t the only crop that suffered a hit from a multistate listeria outbreak that has killed at least four people.

Colorado health officials say lab tests have linked the outbreak to a single farm in Holly that sold melons labeled as Rocky Ford cantaloupes. Jensen Farms has recalled its cantaloupes and farm owners have hired a food safety expert to determine how the problem occurred and how to fix it.

Farmers in the real town of Rocky Ford, about 90 miles away, say other crops took a hit too. Produce markets say some customers have been wary of any Rocky Ford produce, not just cantaloupes, including yellow and orange squash, tomatoes and watermelons.


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