California is an agricultural powerhouse, producing over 400 commodities that provide nutrients to communities across the world. With approximately 24.2 million acres of premium soil dedicated to agricultural uses across the state, it’s easy to imagine why this state is capable of producing a large variety of fibrous foods at high volumes. The California Crop...Read More
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.19.5″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.19.5″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.19.5″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.19.5″]Meet Walnut Farmer Mike Machado This month we are happy to introduce you to our friend Mike Machado, a local farmer dedicated to service. Mr. Machado served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War, then earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Stanford University and...Read More
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.19.5″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.19.5″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.19.5″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.19.5″ header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_3_font=”||||||||” header_4_font=”||||||||” header_5_font=”||||||||” header_6_font=”||||||||”]A Cherry on Top! Put it right on top of Spring! With cherry season right around the corner, it’s time to talk to Jon Brandstad! Jon and his family grow cherries near Linden. In 2011, Jon and his wife Christine permanently...Read More
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.19.5″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.19.5″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.19.5″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.19.5″] Is California really a red-state? A red-tomato state that is! If you enjoyed a red, ripe, richly-flavored farm-fresh tomato last summer, you can probably give a big thanks to farmer Ken Oneto. Last year, he grew nearly 4 million red ripe tomatoes on 135 acres outside...Read More
California Growin’: Olives Oh Olives, how we love thee… you bring us flavor, health, and beauty. California, we say, “let’s o’live it up!” Let’s start at a special farm in the Bay Area that is growing organic fruits with an eye on sustainability. Meet Farmer Al He may wear overalls and drive a beat-up truck, but...Read More
Pumpkins & the Origin of Jack O’Lanterns California is one of the top five producers of pumpkins in the US. Nearly all California pumpkins are produced for the fresh market, sold directly to stores or right off the farm. Fresh market pumpkins are grown for the Halloween harvest and fall season. The most popular varieties...Read More
Honey, honey, honey, honey….honeeeyyy! So how do bees make honey anyway? As honey bees fly around to flowers doing the work of pollinating (a side benefit of the bees’ nectar collecting activities) they drink up the sweet nectar of all the flowers they visit – this can be over 1,000 flowers in one nectar gathering trip!...Read More
Delicious, nutritious and CA-grown! Peach pie, peach cobbler, peach smoothie, peach sherbet, canned peaches at lunch, a peach cup for snack, a fresh, juicy peach on a hot summer day… If you are eating peaches, rest assured – they are home-grown right here in CA! California grows more peaches than the other 32 peach-growing states...Read More
Ice cream, yogurt, cheese – wonderful cheese, milk, sour cream…yum-oh…and the list goes on. Not only do dairy cows provide all these delicious foods but these foods provide us with so much nutrition! Milk is the leading food source of nine essential nutrients in the diets of kids ages 2-18, including protein, calcium, phosphorus, potassium,...Read More
BEEF Summer BBQs are approaching, camping season is pretty much here, and beef is on the menu! May is officially beef month. This healthy, high protein food is good for you and good for the land – while cattle graze they turn low quality forage and other grasses into high quality protein we can eat....Read More
April is officially garlic month. And why should we care? … California is the nation’s top producer of garlic, that’s why! Also, this month is the famous Gilroy Garlic Festival on April 19, located in the heart of garlic country here in CA. California produces over 90% of commercial garlic grown in the United States. Gilroy –...Read More
Cherries are so much more than just delicious, sweet, naturally good snacks… they are healthy and pack a super food punch too. Here’s the Intel on Cherry Production and Health Benefits California is the second largest cherry producing state in the U.S. behind Washington. Farmers typically plant about 100 trees per acre. Pollination is essential for...Read More
During December, we eat lots of special holiday dishes that include filled with memories and warmth. So, it’s a time to get back to our roots – root veggies, that is, because December is National Root Vegetables Month. What are root vegetables? Root veggies include beets, carrots, celery root, daikon, garlic, ginger, horseradish, Jerusalem artichokes,...Read More
November is officially fig month in California – get’em and eat’em! Did you know that California produces 100% of the nation’s dried figs and 98% of the fresh figs? You should be eating these yummy, local treats more! Figs are great as appetizers (see the bacon wrapped ones we are sharing here), main dishes, snacks, and...Read More
What is the Top Non-Green Veggie? Sweet potatoes, of course! Over the last several years sweet potatoes have seen resurgence in demand as consumers learn more ...Read More
