Tomatoland is a book written by Barry Estabrook, an investigative food journalist. Throughout the pages of Tomatoland, Estabrook explores the journey of the tomato, from seed in South America to the hands of migrant workers in the fields of Florida. Through his exploration, he discovers several problems that exist within the Florida fresh tomato industry. Two of the major problems he uncovers include the use of highly toxic chemicals that cause serious harm to human health and the environment, as well as the exploitation of migrant workers. Estabrook blames the persistence of these problems directly on those who support the tomato industry: “it's a world we all created and can fix”; this includes consumers, farm managers, government and business owners, such as managers and those who work in the commercial sector of agriculture. Although many people are at fault, Estabrook places more blame on the government and agricultural business owners. Estabrook's assessment of blame is substantial because the government and tomato company owners have the greatest power over regulation and production. The use of dangerous and deadly chemicals by Florida's tomato industry is due to insufficient regulations established by the department. of Agriculture. Florida's soil is pure sand, making it impossible to grow tomatoes. The plant also risks being supplemented by other plants and being attacked by diseases and insects. The only reason Florida farmers farm is because it's summer in Florida, while the rest of the United States experiences winter. Greed, the desire for greater profits, is the reason the fresh tomato industry is located in Florida. ......middle of paper ......toes, and unknowingly, they support the use of chemicals and unfair treatment of workers. The use of dangerous chemicals like methyl iodine can be easily avoided with stricter regulations, but Florida growers easily find loopholes in these regulations in order to avoid loss of profits, because without chemicals, there will be no tomato industry in Florida. Estabrook, details the implications that dangerous chemicals and worker abuse have caused due to poor government-created regulations and little blame placed on tomato farm managers when slavery or mistreatment of workers is linked to their companies. Works Cited Estabrook, Barry. Tomatoland: How modern industrial agriculture has destroyed our most attractive fruits. Kansas City, MO: Andrews McMell Publishing, LLC, 2012.