dfunghi

This thread from my trip about a year or so aga may offer some help. At least in the coastal part of your trip. http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=33663&hl= David

UPDATE I recieved a fax just now from LADHS. It boils down to this. Wild mushrooms must be purchased from an approved source. Currently there is none, so in the absence of any approved source for wild mushrooms they must be purchesed from any licensed produce company. With no regard for where they get them from other than they get them from a licensed produce company. It makes my head spin! Bottom line is I can return to selling my mushrooms as long as I dont get them directly from the pickers but instead BUY them from some produce company. Even though the produce company buys them from a mushroom company that buys them from pickers. I CAN NOT BELIEVE I HAD TO WAIT 5 F***ING WEKS FOR THIS. It does not address anything about wild mushrooms other than protecting the produce companies profits and eliminating my once excellent sources for the freshest , best , mushrooms. It is completly idiotic and shows how cluless the LADHS is about wild mushrooms and there complete unwillingness to learn. Just pass the buck . Just so they can say "well it was from a usda licensed produce company" "blame them" They claim to be writting new rules that all will have to follow . Dont hold your breath. I am so friggin angry right now!!!! I had to lose 5 weeks of business so they could just back away from the whole thing in the end. These are the people suppose to be watching out for our public safety. HA! They even faxed me "guidlines" from FDA that they got orig from me. They said it in a way like it was something they came up with. >>>> I will add one thing here. I WILL NEVER OPEN ANOTHER FOOD BUSINESS IN LA!!! I have two new business ideas in the works and they will both be located out of LA and maybe out of California. In the 10 plus years I have had a business and the 20 plus years in the food industry this is the most idiotic episode to date. David.

Hi Doc, I have shared all the info as I have had it. Why now ? My guess is this. The day it started, Feb 2nd, there was a normal market inspection by LADHS only this time he ( Verny) was training new inspectors on his shift. I believe there was some ego involved or some muscle flexing so to speak, to impress the trainees. We have been licensed by the AG dept in Cal since 1995 to sell what we grow ( shiitakes, maitake, portabello) at FM. The wild is a seperate issue and appearantly I was supposed to have a permit from the health dept for public sales of "non agriculure products". It was never asked for before nor were we told we needed it by anyone in the 10 years we were selling. This was the violation sited by Verny as why he could shut me down , on the spot. Literally taking truffles out of customers hands and not allowing them to purchase them. That I believe was muscle flexing in front of his four trainees. After this started and I was denied a permit to sell wilds I became the catalyst that they ( ladhs) must stop all sales if they are going to stop me. I pointed out that at the FM 2 days after they shut me down the same inspector allowed another mushroom guy to sell chanterelles. I was livid and went above the inspectors head to HQ to ask how is that possible? How can Verny recognize chanterelles as wild on Weds and not on Friday? Thats when the story started to change on a daily basis from LADHS. My belief is Verny never thought I would have made such a stink nor would I have a couple of hundred customers call the LADHS as well as the LA Board of Sup's. Nor did they think I would force them to take further action based on the product itself not just me. There was no way I was going to be the only one shut down, so I sort of forced them to take action. Needless to say they are in no hurry to involve the large supermarket chains or the restaurants. I suppose by closing down my wild sales and my forcing wider action answers the wider "why now" question. There is no way I'm going away quietly. Not after 10 years of business. As to they why can some and not others sell it is simple. The LADHS is lacking any clear understanding of the wild mushroom industry and the County as well as the State lack any clear regulations on it. So they make it up as they go. They are trying to educate themselves about the industry but are fairly in the dark. They believe some "wild mushrooms" come from farms and others don't. They did not know truffles where wild. Or porcini, Morels, Chanterelles. They believe there are wild shiitakes and farmed shiitakes. Shiitakes have not been "wild " in over 1000 years in asia and never in No. America. I sent them excellent ref guides written by Mycologists and hopefully they are learning. I think the more they learn the bigger the problem gets. Yesterday I spoke with LADHS and was told they are trying to figure a way to determin what an expert buyer / picker is and how that will qualify for legal sales in LA County. I asked what they were going to do to enforce this expert qualification when the mushrooms are from another state or country? Would they inspect the huge mushroom companies from Vancouver BC or Seattle or Portland or perhaps they intended to eliminate interstate sales which would be a violation of federal laws. What about French or Italian Truffles? Who will enforce their expert requirements there? They are trying to figure out what to do. I firmly believe they do not understand the full scope of what they are trying to do. I do not believe the chains are behind this in anyway since wild mushrooms are a very small part of their biz. In fact I believe they will stop selling at the first sign of trouble from LADHS. If that trouble ever comes. In answer to Slow Food I was recently interviewed for the Market Segement of Good Food here in LA you can listen here http://tinyurl.com/6yt7w . Good Food's host Evan Klienman is the So Cal Slow Food cheif. In addition there is a FM trade group called Southland Farmers MArket Assoc. ( SFMA). The president has tried to make contact at the very top of LADHS ( T. Garthwait) and haved recieved no response to the letter sent Feb 17th. The letter basically said that LADHS would have to come up with an "approved source" or remove from entire county. Whatever standard is set it must be applied equally to all. SFMA has 700 members covering 22 FM and has a multi million dollar war chest. Lastly we have tried to enlist he help of some prominenet chefs with no luck. They say it is not affecting them and it is my problem. Of course when May rolls around and I have the finest, rock hard, fresh porcini flown in direct from the field, I'm sure some of these same chefs will call me to save them 20 or 30 lbs every week as they have for the last 10 years. We'll see how that goes. David

JF, All parties including Carol Kim are aware of the delay. Appearantly the LADHS is trying to "solve" the" approved source" issue for Wild Mushrooms. I believe they will find, as have the groups before them, it is a very , very , complicated issue. I also believe at some point ( soon I hope) they will have to either stop all sales and service or allow FM to return to selling while they wrestle with the issue. Stopping all sales would probably help my cause since at that point there would be some very powerful parties involved including the grocery chains and famous chefs. I find it hard to believe that is the way the LADHS will go. DAvid

UPDATE March 4th has come and gone. Late Friday ( after 5 pm) I got a message from Terrance Powell that they need 2 more days, " you should recieve something by Tuesday depending on the US Mail" was his message. The tone was not one that lead me to think the letter was going to be anything either, clearing up how anyone can sell this product and Farmers Markets cant, or why it is a puplic safety issue only from FM. In my own research I know they have not taken any calls from LAMS ( los angeles mycological society) nor have they called them back. They also have not contacted any of the chefs at any of the restaurants we claimed are serving the same exact product as of last Weds. They do however continue to tell the press and any customers that call that there is no restriction on the sale of wild mushrooms and that the FM have been stopped for "other reasons". These reasons have not been disclosed to anyone I know. They keep comming back to the "Approved Source" issue and we keep asking what "approved source " does anyone else have? It goes round and round in circles. I would like to add that if the LADHS tried to go into Wild Oats and stop them from selling wild mushrooms but continued to allow Pavillions or Whole Foods there would be a team of lawyers from Wild Oats in court the next day to challenge the restriction against only one business and not another. WE DON'T HAVE A TEAM OF LAWYERS! Therefore we make easy prey. I have offered proof that we obtain our mushrooms directly from the source and that ALL WILD MUSHROOMS originate in the same place. The Forest! They are trying to claim that somehow because Whole Foods ( just an example) buys from a large mushroom company that they somehow have a different origin. They do not ask the mushroom company where they get them from. I have given them in writting a paper trail back to the source of my mushrooms. I then showed them how my source supplies the large mushroom company that supply the grocery stores. I also informed them of a man I know that drives down from No. Cal and sells direct to restaurants in LA and asked how is it he can and I cant? The inconsistancy of their policy just gets worse and worse. Lastly we have demanded / asked that they clarify what public safety is present with FM and not elsewhere and why they have not taken any further action if indeed there is a public safety( i.e. No public notice , warnings or enforcement by field offices). I will post update ASAP David

I give up! The LA Times was well aware of the story since I was the original source by Regina for the article. I prefered to tell the above story instead of discussing winter mushrooms but told her to contact Connie for mushroom info. The DHS has informed many people including the Times that "there is no ban" on wild mushrooms. Furthermare they have implied that I ( David West) was in some other form of violation which remains unspecified. In fact there are now 12 MARKETS told to stop selling wild mushrooms they include, Santa Monica ( weds and sat), Hollywood (sun), Calabasas, La Canada, Burbank, Pac. Palisades, Brentwood, Studio City, Culver City and Redondo. Three seperate companies selling at the 12 named markets yet DHS tells people when they call it is only about me. I give up. It is not worth my health and well being so after 10 years supplying the westside and hollywood gourmets as well as many restaurants we are going to throw in the towel. I would suggest if any of you wish to continue to buy wild mushrooms that you pick up the fight or else it will be only large grocery stores that will have them. Pay more for lower quality. David

UPDATE The LA County Board Of Supervisors ( Carol Kim) has sent a letter to DHS requesting clarifacation on the Wild Mushroom subject. They gave them til March 3rd to either allow sales to resume at Farmers Markets or Stop County-wide. So now we wait. I would still encourage those of you who are hard core Farmers Market shoppers call your County Supervisor to express your concern that Wild Mushrooms may no longer be available at your local Farmers market forcing you to shop elsewhere.

In addition to the already excellent sugestions I would add La Terza at 3rd and Orlando. The second restaurant of Angelini Osteria, large dinning room with big comfy tables and chairs not all jammed in. Easy to enjoy several hours of courses. Food is top notch.

Thank you all for getting invoved. I would like to say that this is no longer about just me. It is about the sale of wild mushrooms at the farmers markets and inquiries should be made on behalf of ALL OF US as Farmers Market shoppers. If it is just about me it will not matter enough to anyone in the media to act. It has to represent the full scope of the action.

This all started on Feb 2nd. Since then I have been on the phone all day everyday Mon- Fri for 2 1/2 weeks. I have had two face-to-face meetings, one with Mr. Delacruz and one with Verny Grajeda (the officer that issued the order to stop selling). I have spoken with the health dept liason from Zev Yaroslosky's office, he is my Supervisor on the Board. I have had the market manager (of over 20 years) from Santa Monica contact all the parties involved on my behalf, and she also had a face-to-face with Verny Grajeda. To date, we have had no success in resolving the issue of why this product is being excluded ONLY FROM FARMERS MARKETS (there are now 3 vendors, including myself, who have been notified to stop selling wild mushrooms. They include Tradewinds Mushrooms from the Venice market, and the young man (business name?) who recently started selling at the Palisades market). In addition, the head of Southland Farmers Market Assoc. has also made contact on behalf of myself and the markets in general with no success in resolving the situation. I have had a lawyer contact Mr. Powell and, despite his expertise in the restaurant business and his long relationship with Mr. Powell, he had no success in resolving the issue nor could he obtain any clarification in what we can do to comply and return to business. I provided the DHS (health dept.) with documentation decribing the way wild mushrooms come to market, as well as copies of permits from the three major public land holders in USA [the USDA dept of forestry (usfs),California dept Forestry (cdf) and the Bureau of Land Mngmt. (BLM)]. These are the only permits issued by any agency to pick mushrooms in the wild. Although the DHS asked for "other" permits from food related agencies I assured them they do not exist and we obtain every AVAILABLE permit. I can't get a permit that does not exist. In addition, I provided a 5 page typed explanation of what qualifies us as experts in the trade of wild mushrooms - with over 20 years in the field and 10 years in sales - including flow charts and names of two of the largest mushroom companies in the West that use the same picker/buyer as I do. As an example, I showed specifically how one of these companies located in Portland, OR. sells to a wholesaler in the L.A. Terminal market. I was told that, not only was I no longer permiteed to sell mushrooms obtained from my original source (the picker/buyer - same source these companies use), but that now I could not even obtain and sell mushrooms from either the mushroom company or the wholesaler in the Terminal Market - although they could continue to sell to anyone they wish - including grocery stores, caterers and restaurants, who continue selling wild mushrooms to the public. This was explained away by DHS as it has to do with different departments within DHS having authority. I have made sound arguments as to the unfairness of applying rules to one seller and not another, with written proof that it is the SAME EXACT PRODUCT, as well as providing pages and pages of permits, explanations, resumes,and scientific explanations identifying the varieties we sell. I also pointed out that no other seller has been asked to provide ANYTHING SHOWING HOW THE MUSHROOMS WERE SOURCED. When all this was exhausted I turned to you all, the public, for support and encouragment as well as for more ideas as to how to solve this problem. How is the LA CO. Dept. of Health Services able to determine that the same product from the same source is a danger in one venue and not another?! This not limited to just me anymore - it is now a farmers market issue and clearly discriminates against customers of the farmers' markets, since the mushrooms are still for sale at Whole Foods, Pavillions, Gooches etc. but no longer available to you at the Farmers' Markets.

As of 10:30 am acording to Hector Delacruz there is no ban on wild mushrooms nor are they prohibited for sale, however ANY FOOD from an "unapproved source" is prohibited for sale. Wild mushrooms do not come from an approved source and guidlines as to what is an"approved source" for wild mushrooms is in debate. In a very backhanded way they are prohibiting the sale of wild mushrooms under the guidlines of prohibiting the sale of ANY FOOD FROM NON APPROVED SOURCE. David

Cheri, We have tried repeatedly to obtain the same health certificates and were only issued one to sell only what we grow. We are a certified producer of shiitakes, maitakes which is why we can sell at farmers markets, however the wild stuff is non certifeid by AG Dept which is why it requires a health permit. David

I am the purveyor they would not tell you about and I was told in no uncertain terms that it was illegal for me to continue the sale of wild mushrooms either at the farmers market or to restaurants. VERNY GRAJEDA is the officer that closed me down 310-655-8425 I have repeatedly asked for both in writting and verbaly why was I shut down and what do I do to reopen. Since Feb 2nd I have not recieved a single response. They , I believe , thought I would not pursue the matter and would just close my doors after 10 years. This is not the case I have required that the LA CO Health make a decision and that if it is illegal for clearwater farms to sell them why is it not illegal for Whole Foods, Spago, or any of the other many, many places this product is sold. They are unwilling to enforce anything beyond me at this point, This is why I turn to EGulleters for support. Those of you in the LA area that shop at any of the markets I atttend know me and know my product. I have supplied wild mushrooms to Campanile, Wolfgang Puck ( for his tv show 3 years ago), Mori Sushi, Granita, Capo, Bistro 21, Zax, Amuse cafe, Little Door, Les Duex Cafe ( now closed), Axe, Naya, House rest. ( now closed), and others. As well I have supplied the private chef industry for numerous people both famous and not. A well as hundreds of customers and lovers of fine food. David

Cherie which market do you shop at? We are at the Sat and Weds Santa monica and Sunday Hollywood. Where we will be this weekend but only with our farmed mushrooms . Shiitake, Maitake. David

We were informed today that the Los Angeles County Health dept has determined the sale of wild mushrooms are a health risk because they are gathered from an unregulated source. There wording is "Wild mushrooms do not come from an "approved source" ". Furthermore an approved source does not exist for wild mushromm other than those that are farmed. Porcini, Morels, Chanterelles, Truffles, Hedgehog, Yellowfoot, etc, etc, are not farmed by ANYONE since the science does not exist to farm these varieties. They have made their first strike by ordering all farmers markets in LA County to stop selling or allowing the sale of any wild gathered mushrooms. Their next step is going to be restaurants followed by wholesalers. If you would like to ask questions or perhaps voice your concerns about the removal of such a wonderful and safe ( when handled correctly) product I encourage you to contact TERRANCE POWEL Head of Environmental Health div of LA Co health dept. 626- 430-5100 or HECTOR DELLA CRUZ Acting cheif of same dept. 626- 430-5140 I strongly urge you all to get involved in this before it goes to far. I appreciate any and all support. David

Hi Emily, We are still in the process of obtaining a permit. If we are unable to return to the market we will start a pettition and letter writing campaign. We still hope to resolve this without a big fight. We have made some very sound arguments as to why we should be allowed to return as long as there are hundreds of other food establishments selling or serving this same exact product. Hopefully we will return next Saturday the 19th. Weds is supposed to pour down rain so we will not try to push for resolution Monday or Tuesday and settle for Weds or Thursday. Thank you for your support. The outporing of support from both the market and all my loyal customers has really helped us cope. We do need to get back to business though and people need their mushrooms. David

I have a sad story to tell about the market today. I sell at the Santa Monica FM and have since 1992. Today I was shut down by an over zealous Health Inspector even though the agencey with jurisdiction over me is the AG dept. We sell wild gathered mushrooms, truffles, greens and farmed Shiitake and Maitake. He said I needed to provide certificates from the pickers I use to verify they picked on State approved land . They then insisted we stop selling. A) There is no such thing as State approved land according to the health dept B) There is no such rule any where in writting. C) He issued no violation because there was no code for said violation because it did not exist. D) He could provide no clear reason why such paperwork would be needed other than he said so. Yet my customers were told to leave and I was forced to pack up and leave. Just thought I would share this story with you all when I saw this thread. BTW in season now at my stand in SM and Hollywood are yellowfoot mushrooms, black trompette, hedgehog, black truffles. Our cultivated mushrooms are year round. David

I can now add Beechwood We had a great meal with a couple of things from the bar menu that were real tasty and a steak dinner and the double cut pork chop. It was all done just right with crisp service in a full and busy and loud dining room. All the ingredients were top notch from the sweet breakfast radishs in the salad to the fine dry aged beef. All the sides were perfect match to the food as well. Huge portions and very comfy setting . Large tables not too close together and big comfy booths that will easily seat six. Well worth a visit and seeing how they are newly opened there were no glitches, all went smooth. David

Naya =excellent food in a beautiful room. Scotter Canter is doing classic french/ american dishes with class. Superb wine list and good service. Chloe= two excellent chefs one with a real flair for seasonal the other a purest for execution. Food is always solid with good service and has a lock on the PDR crowd. Good wine list with good stemware Meson G = Have not been but I love Tims food so if he is doing here what he has done formerly at Whist and currently at Aubergeine(sp) it should be great Capocafe = have not been Table8 = its a bit of a "seen" with lots of Armani black tee shirts but if you get past all that the kitchen has top flight food with top flight ingredients. You can taste it. Bar scene also Beechwood= Only started full menu a week ago or so ,have not been. Brooke has real skill so it should be good. Not on your list but one of my favorite LA places is the former Bistro 21 now called Kinkichi(sp) nothing changed except the name. Call a few days ahead and request a chefs menu. Our last one was amazing and chef Ko match our wines ( white and red Burgundy) to a tee. The place is tiny so res a must . Caviar, snails,pheasant,kobe beef,lobster,sweetbreads, halibut w/ white truffle rissoto. Not in that order

Perhaps my taste for the stuff is too pedestrian, but we really enjoyed the chocolates at Mallorca in Madrid back in '99 when we were there. Huge selection and claimed to be homemade. Then you can run upstairs for some Iberico as well. David

Thank You all for the reply's. I will hit all 3 shops as well as look forward to trying the syrah from Spain. It is one of my favorite grapes when done well. Not a big fan of the over the top inky Aussie ones. I prefer Rhone or California style Syrah. I'm interested to see where the Spanish Syrahs will fit in the equation. Cheers, David

Hi All, As we near our trip dates I am arranging all the great info I have garnered here. One thing I do not have but need is a great wine shop in BCN that I can shop at our last day for take home treats. I am looking for a shop with a wide selection of European wines as well as hard to find wines of Spain. Selection is more important than price. TIA, David

Perhaps requesting a specific date was a mistake. However I thought a Tuesday in late April would be a little easier to fill. Alas my trip will be sans El Bulli. We will try to contact them as we approach our departure date but are not holding out much hope. It will be our tenth wedding anniversary so a special meal will be had somewhere for sure. I also mentioned I was in the food biz in USA ,dont know if that helped or hurt or had no affect. Perhaps that Tuesday is booked by a couple of large parties. I will never know. To those of you lucky reservation holders, buon appetiitto. David

I also got an apology and a no. Tried for April on the first night requests were taken. I was a little supprised but not entirely. Only 8000 seatings available for 300,000 requests. Unfortunetly I would guess at least a portion of those 8000 will go to people with better access but less of a palete than some of us. They will go and then complain. We have it here in California with French Laundry in Napa area. They use influence or patience to get in then do not understand the food. Or try to BYOB with a $10 bottle of supermarket wine and get upset when told it will be $50 corkage. Keller is very talented and inovative bu tnot to everyones liking. Their loss. Oh well! Fortunetly in BCN there are many fine alternatives to enjoy. And I plan on doing so. David

"BTW, if you go to Arenas de Cabrales, there is an excellent cheese shop where you can buy the best Cabrales." Second best maybe? The best comes from little old ladies in little towns like Sotres where they make one or two a day and age in caves behind town. David