PILFERED ARTICHOKES vs

CASTROVILLE FARMERS SAY THEIR ARTICHOKE CROPS ARE BEING PILFERED DURING THE NIGHT. OUR AREA SUPPLIES MOST OF THE COUNTRY'S ARTICHOKES. DURING THE WINTER MONTHS, PRICES ARE AT THEIR HIGHEST, MAKING THE TIME RIPE FOR THIEVES. AS A RESULT AREA FARMERS REPORT THE LOSS OF TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN CROPS. GROWERS BELIEVE THE BLACK MARKET ARTICHOKES END UP AT FARMERS MARKETS, FLEA MARKETS, AND ROADSIDE STANDS.