How much do you trust Supermarket Veggies and Fruits?

I always get potatoes, carrots, broc, and apples from the supermarket, but i always wonder that such a huge company probably isnt using the best methods to grow fruits and veggies.

Just wondering what other people think about Fruits and Veggies from the Supermarket?

Also, how much more expensive are fruits and veggies from a health store?

The fruit and vegetable in a supermarket are usually very good quality and very strictly controlled.  I know this because I supply them.  Most have pretty high standards on pesticide residues, harvesting techniques, chill-chain integrity, organic certification (where appropriate) and social concerns than other customers, for example.   The prices tend to be cheaper in a supermarket because they are buying in much larger volumes.... economy of scale.  But what you gain in price you might lose in flavour or variety.  The ubiquitous dutch glass-house tomato is a sad, flavourless beast...

Health stores are often buying from the wholesale market where the quality controls are much less strict so you can get quite a variable experience, depending on the outlet.  In a great independent store they'll have fantastic product much better than the supermarket but in some disreputable outlets food sold as 'organic' often isn't, you'll be shocked to learn.  (I've seen some real cr@p on sale with a fancy price-tag!!)   However if you want ultimate confidence in the food you're buying, or if you want old-fashioned varieties that don't withstand the rigours of the 24/7 supply-chain, your best bet is to go direct to the producer.  Farmers' markets etc., are a great place to find local produce and meet the people responsible for its production.

I absolutely don't have a problem buying fruit and veg from the supermarket!  However, there's a farmers market every Sunday that is 2 blocks from my apartment, so I tend to stock up there very week.  If you have one near you, I highly recommend trying it.  It's fun to talk to the people who bring the produce, plus I often ask for tips on how to prepare stuff.  Oh, and I like that everything is grown locally, so I know the produce didn't have to travel very far to get to me!