Farms leave produce to rot in fields as crop prices plummet

Millions of pounds of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce and other vegetables are being left in South Florida fields never to be picked. Some farmers calling it the worst start to the winter vegetable season ever.

“This is a blood bath, a serious bloodbath,” said Tony DiMare, vice president of Homestead-based DiMare Fresh.

So, even as hunger persists, and food banks come out of the holiday season with need, an overwhelming amount of unwanted fresh produce is being left to whither under the sun. Why?