This is our small but excellent farmers market in Tegu. 

Often when I eat the produce here I wonder what the hell is going on with U.S. produce.

Outside of the major cities which can maintain daily markets (e.g. union sq in NYC), here on the east coast the supply chain has optimized for shelf life and long periods between harvest and sale.

Also as population growth has continued over the past two decades, and total fruit and veg consumption has increased, production inside the US has basically been flat, as we’ve relied on imports to meet demand.  

There are a few exceptions to this, yet it’s mostly due to labor costs.