In the Shark Tank

Ah spring!  The smell of blood in the water.  Farmers in New York, Quebec and Ontario eagerly anticipate the coming of the planting season and hope for that perfect storm of customer demand, perfect weather and bumper crops.  Many will gather this week in Montreal for the Canadian Produce Marketing Association Trade Show.  And the sharks from the chain stores, the produce wholesalers in Boston, N.Y. and Philadelphia will attend also.  The usual promises will be made and the later broken.  Everyone will feel the anticipation.  The difference is the kind of anticipation each side feels.