DEAR SUN SPOTS: This is the first time I’ve asked for your help.

On Saturday, July 23, my husband lost a gold chain with a gold cross and a gold round Scorpio disc as he went from the Sullivan tire store to Burger King, and he crossed to enter the Sears parking parking lot.

This means so much to him. It was given to him by my brother just before he passed away on Sept. 11, 2010.

I know we have good people out there. Please, if you have found it, my husband, who’s going to turn 80 soon, would be so happy. Thanks. — Connie Morin, Lewiston, 730-0043

ANSWER: Sun Spots hopes someone returns it. Please let her know if they do.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Regarding the Aug. 10 column about Walmart being evasive about where their products were made, I know of another website to search for products made in the U.S. It’s the Made in the USA Products Directory at www.americansworking.com. Thank you. — Sue Denison, Norway

ANSWER: Thank you, Sue, for providing this additional source of information. This topic clearly struck a chord with readers.

Since Walmart wouldn’t answer her questions, Sun Spots decided to follow up by turning to a more local source for an explanation of food production and distribution. Michael Norton, the director of communications for Scarborough-based Hannaford, spent considerable time explaining how things work.

Mike began by saying that if a consumer really wants to know where a product originates, Hannaford can almost always provide the source. Inquiries about some things can be answered by store personnel. Already most seafood is clearly marked as to where it came from and whether it was previously frozen or farm-raised.

Mike said that Hannaford is working to sell as many local products as possible, especially fresh produce. (Shoppers may have seen the “close to home” signs.) There are several advantages to selling local food. It’s fresher, improving the taste, and reduces the “food miles” (the number of miles food travels from the farm field to the store shelf), which may make it more economical.

For example, he said that for about four months of the year, Aroostook County broccoli is distributed throughout its stores, and in the fall Maine apples fill the shelves. (Shoppers who buy “in season” will most likely be getting locally grown food.) If the source of a produce product is not clearly marked, customers can ask the produce manager. Mike said most of the times he or she will have the answer.

Packaged goods, Mike said, are much more difficult but not impossible. If consumers really want to know, they can call customer service at 1-800-213-9040. Using the individual UPC code, the food can be tracked to its source, although it may take a few days, so they will have to call you back.

One difficulty with identifying the food source of packaged (including canned) goods is that the location of the canning factory does not indicate the source of the actual food.

Mike gave as an example, an American factory is canning mandarin oranges grown in Florida. Suddenly an unexpected freeze takes out the Florida oranges. The factory has the choice of shutting down and standing idle or getting its oranges from Mexico.

The same scenario could apply to a facility in the Midwest canning green beans. Many of those beans may come from Midwest farms or California, but there may also be times when those beans come from farther afield.

The more complicated a product is, the more difficult it is to find out where the food actually originated. A frozen dinner, say, could include food from several different countries.

Sun Spots will address bar codes and how they may identify the country of origin in Wednesday’s column.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am hoping that someone can help me with a recipe for a lobster roll like the ones Sim’s Restaurant used to make. They were so good and creamy. It was such a treat to go and get the mini shore dinner and a side of onion rings. I started going to the restaurant when it was a small carhop-type shack, and there isn’t anything to compare yet! Thank you. — Marion Saucier, [email protected]

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be e-mailed to [email protected].