WTF Is A Palmettovore?
Just when you thought state government in South Carolina couldn’t get any more ridiculous, along comes Palmettovore.org, a new website launched by the State Department of Agriculture.
What is a Palmettovore?
Apparently it’s somebody who only eats South Carolina grown fruits and vegetables.
Wait, we’re sorry, there’s actually an official definition:
Palmettovore (n) – a person who attempts to eat only produce and products grown and processed in South Carolina.
Good grief. Is this seriously something we’re funding?
Obviously, there are some people who look at this ridiculous website as a justifiable expense. They say it’s a cost-effective example of non-traditional marketing.
Whatever. It’s friggin’ ridiculous – perhaps the gayest thing this state has ever produced, which is saying a lot.
Honestly, do we really think that dressing up a bunch of theater types in fruit of the loom outfits is going to make a lick of difference in what people buy at their local supermarket?
Here’s the 411 on food purchases – people are going to buy the best food they can at the cheapest price. If that’s South Carolina-grown food, then hoorah for South Carolina.
If it’s not? Then S.C. farmers need to grow a tastier tomato.
Either way, as we’ve said before, government shouldn’t be in the business of spending taxpayer money to market fruits and vegetables – homegrown or otherwise.
Comments
By King Cotton on May 19th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
“Palmettovore” sounds like the work of Columbia PR firm Chernoff Newman. They handled the whole “Certified SC Grown” campaign, and were also involved in marketing Innovista and the National Hydrogen Expo that took place in Columbia earlier this year.
Actually, Palmettovore is a pretty good name for any of the above because they’re all excellent examples of programs that devour South Carolina’s resources.
By cerius on May 19th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Yes, we got a “Libertyvore” in the White House right now devouring up all our freedoms and our children’s prospects of prosperity.
By Liberty fo me on May 19th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
How about STOP STATE INCOMETAXOVORE….IT IS EATING MY MONEY UP FOR STUPID SHIT LIKE THIS!!!…But did not our for fathers say “GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME A BIG PLASTIC DINOSAUR”
By weighing in on May 19th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
If more money is spent on SC grown products, where SC people that grow them live and employ people, then it will produce more tax revenue as well as the money, they (employee and employer) pump into the economy. Blueberries from Chile that are sold at 1.99 and blueberries from SC that are sold at the same price, have vast different impacts on our economy. And if it means spending an extra dime to support the local economy then I’m all for it.
By Toyota Kawaski on May 19th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
(s)hits i mean fits please go back to Maine with Man-d.
By King Cotton on May 19th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Weighing In On: If spending tax money to promote SC produce is good for the state, then why not subsidize every SC industry instead of just agriculture?
If you want to pay more to buy SC products, fine. But don’t force everyone else to fork over more of their own money to satisfy your idea of corporate welfare.
And if the South Carolina legislature would make a genuine effort to reduce the burdens and restrictions on businesses in the state, it would enable companies such such as those that grow produce to be more competitive on pricing, rather than having them turn to the state for a taxpayer-subsidized advertising campaign.
By Liberty fo me on May 19th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Go get’em King Cotton…maybe you should run for Governer.Where do people come up with these stupid trains of thought to support this kind of dumb shit
By Pro Palmettovore on May 19th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
According to the Certified SC Grown website, nearly 90% of shoppers in South Carolina indicated they would purchase South Carolina grown produce if it was competitively priced and was of good quality. Research also shows consumers will purchase SC grown products through a “sense of pride,” preferring homegrown as opposed to that of the competition. So, it seems that making SC products and produce more visible to consumers is vital to ensuring that the public is able to recognize and then purchase local goods. Before Certified SC grown it was virtually impossible to identify local products, and now when I go to the grocery store, Certified labels and signage make it very easy for me to find what I’m looking for.
By My Two Cents on May 19th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
SC tomatoes are the tastiest! I think it’s great that the Department of Ag is getting the word out about buying locally grown and having pride in our produce. Especially since other states take plenty of credit- I mean, Georgia calls itself the “peach state,” but SC grown more peaches…way more. Perhaps you saw Stephen Colbert’s rant about this. If you haven’t, here’s a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQgq_11XbO0. Even though it’s tongue and cheek, Colbert gets the message- SC needs to publicize its assets!
By scnative on May 20th, 2009 at 7:03 am
Well,during these economic times, it makes sense to support SC farmers and their products. I mean, why wouldn’t we want to support our state’s economy? Besides, according to the Dept. of Ag’s website: http://agriculture.sc.gov/content.aspx?MenuID=18, agribusiness is the #1 industry in our state. The site says that agribusiness has a direct and indirect economic impact of $33.9 billion a year, provides $7.5 billion in labor income, and creates and support almost 200,000 jobs in the state. The concept of encouraging people to buy SC products is always a good idea in my opinion.
By FITSNews on May 20th, 2009 at 7:33 am
Obviously, the Dept. of Ag has its cut and pasters out.
Blah, blah, blah. If it’s that big a business, then it should be able to take care of itself.
Seriously, nothing wrong with eating SC products – or encouraging people to eat SC products – but government shouldn’t be in the marketing business for one industry at the expense of another.
-FITS
By liz on May 20th, 2009 at 7:54 am
a stupid way to promote a wonderful idea
By scfarmer on May 20th, 2009 at 10:25 am
Unfortunately, the author does not seem to comprehend the fiscal impact of promotional branding program like Certified SC Grown. Although the SC Dept of Ag has only had its program in place for a few years, the program is obviously a success since agribusiness is now our state’s number one industry, worth $34 billion. Some states such as New Jersey have run its successful Jersey Fresh campaign for nearly 25 years. A study located on its website reports that Jersey Fresh generates $63.2 million in economic activity annually for the state, including $2.2 million in tax receipts. How do you like them peaches! Any program that can make that amount of money for the state is worth the investment. Call me a Palmettovore!
By Jack on May 20th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Hey SC Farmer,
Great statistics on how successful New Jersey’s program was. We all know how folks are just waiting in line to move to New Jersey for it’s low tax environment and how well the state has handled it’s finances. If this “promtional branding program” is so phenomenally effective, why haven’t you and you compatriots at the co-op already invested your own money in such a program?
I respect all those in the agricultural industry for their willingness to take on both the challenges of the market and the unpredictable variations of the weather. You are to be commended for your efforts, and the outstanding results.
I agree with the Will’s basic objection, that the government has no right to take my money to promote your industry, or vice versa!
By Beaufortvore on May 20th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Fits, did you find out who the marketing firm behind this is?
By Fred Altwater on May 21st, 2009 at 12:23 pm
None of you seem to understand how money or Government works! Take freaking economics 101 for heavens sake. I’m about as right-wing as it gets…and even I understand that a little cash can go a long way…that is “business” you rubes! Finally we get a government program that may help our local economy GROW and who comes out to bash it? The very people who should be in support of it!! I think this campaign is a fun and ridiculously cost effective way of putting money back in the state. Don’t you understand that your pennies will come back ten fold? It is people like you that are killing our party. I hope the Republican party survives the legions of idiots who write blogs armed only with anger and stupidity. Oh…and “Fitsnews” I’ve read some of your other posts and you just don’t seem to understand what a real conservative is. Please…I beg you… stop giving us a bad name… READ A BOOK…TAKE A CLASS…whatever it takes…because your opinion is the kind of thing that is doing our party a grave disservice. I don’t want to see tax and spend liberals take over…and YOU ARE PAVING THE WAY YOU SUBLITERATE GOOF!
God Bless the GOP!
By weighing in on May 21st, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Well said Mr. Alwater…and King Cotton if you are a cotton farmer, which is highly unlikely because your fail to understand economics of local farming, then you probably never complained about federal subsidies.
By Fred Altwater on May 21st, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Okay. So I’ve had time to calm down and re-think a few things. I never post on these things (hell if it weren’t for my grandson I don’t think I could turn a computer on). Those were fighting words I used and I shouldn’t have been as aggressive towards Fitsnews as I was. There have been some posts that he has written that are a breath of fresh air in regards to conservative thought.
The point I want to make is this.
If we, as conservatives, go after every growth related program we are killing what we hope to build. I worked under Ronald Reagan (when he was Governor of California)…another “Theatre Type” (hehe…careful there Fitsnews!! hehe) who was one of the smartest and keenest conservative minds I’ve ever met. I know how the media like to portray Reagan…but I swear to you…the man was a genius. Well read in conservative thought and he had a lazer like wit.
My reason for bringing that up is a conversation he had with myself and a few others one afternoon. He said…and I’ll never forget this “We are conservatives, that doesn’t mean we are stingy and short-sighted” “The difference between the democrats and us is not one of love of the people but one of love of those peoples future. We must continue to find ways to invest tax moneys in ways so we can lower taxes tomorrow. That is growth”.
I research the activity of my government. I have done this ever since I returned from two tours of duty in Vietnam. I do this because I love this government and its people. I have to tell you…this small campaign is being done on pennies. I attended a rally out of curiosity and what I saw were businesses coming together with a solution to help our local population. Cheaply. Cost effectively.
We can’t be the party of “nonono” always. Believe me when I say there are much bigger fish to fry. Look to the real waste. Look to how we mismanage money in our schools and public works. Look to how we waste money in meaningless research and bloated federal programs. There you focus would best be served Fitsnews.
I wish you the best in your on-line mission. I just ask that you maybe read a little more history and understand your party a little more.
-Fred Altwater
By Larissa on June 14th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
It looks like the SC Agri Dept got wind of this thread and came forward with stats after stats. Can the Ag Dept website be anymore confusing? It appears that they try to be everything to everybody and the site does not link very well nor make any sense. Who would hang out at their website anyway, only very lonely Ag employees, thinking of how creative they are, or what they have copied from others.
It is interesting to see a world class cheesy ad campaign wasted on SC Produce. The agency that came up with this crap should be on Madison Avenue and not in Columbia wasting taxpayers dollars to tell us to buy SC or else.
If you go to the SC Grown web page you see lots of farmers listed. So where does the public buy their produce? I don’t know? At the local grocery store? At the farmers market ? No … I think they ship most their produce out of state to get a better price, or they may have roadside stands but this is not mentioned. The only recent fresh produce I have seen in stores that says SC Grown, have been peaches. So if I want to buy SC Grown blueberries where are they? Maybe they need to list grocery store and what they have that is SC Grown.
I also went to a related program called “Fresh on the Menu”. Whow ! So if I want to go to a restaurant in Columbia or Charleston I would immediately think to go to the SC Ag website to find a restaurant. NOT! And when I actually clicked on a few restaurants I could not find one that says SC Grown Blueberry Pie, or anything relating to SC Fresh. Did someone forget to mention this to the 218 restaurants listed.
I am all for buying local fresh grown produce, who in the “hell” wouldn’t be. But when the local stores get local produce and up the price to make a bigger margin that defeats the whole idea.
Now I head form the SCETV program” Making It Grow” that the Ag Dept. is promoting SC Grown onions to compete with Vidalia in stores. Do we grow onions here, or is this another ad campaign in the works to spend more money, more money.