Category: Farmers Market Report

SLOW FOOD = 20 YEARS OLD It was 20 years ago on December 10, 1989 that the Slow Food Manifesto was proclaimed by Carlo Petrini:  In a Paris theatre, there was a call to arms for an antidote…”Against the universal madness of the Fast Life! ” The Manifesto declared, “we need to choose the defence …

Only 1% of the total food grown and harvested in the United States is sold at farmers markets.  2% of the nations farms “raise” 40% of our food animals.  That means agribusiness, factory farming, monoculture and global food distribution are the Goliath to the sustainable movement.  Radical change would require dramatic force and collective action. …

Bacon, Mexicola and Gwen Avocados, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoons, Baby Cauliflower, Celery Root, Cherimoyas, Citrus: Buddha’s Hand, Grapefruit, Meyer lemons, Mandarins, Kumquats (late winter), blood oranges, Pummelos, Tangelos, Dates, Dragon Fruit, Escarole, Fennel, Kale: Black, Peacock, Kohlrabies, Leeks, Mushrooms: Black Trumpet, Chanterelle, Oyster, Shitake, Nettles, Parsnips, Radicchio, Radishes, Sapotes, Sorrel, Sweet Potatoes, Swiss Chard, Turnips, Winter Squash

MARKET FORECAST: JUST IN TIME FOR HOLIDAY SEASON, MCGRATH FARMS HAS TAHITIAN SQUASH.  WINDROSE FARM HAS UNIQUE VARIETIES AS WELL, INCLUDING THE SWEET AND DELUXE MOROCCAN SQUASH!! RANCHO DEL SOL IS READY!  FIRST UP:  TANGELOS SO SWEET AND JUICY (YOU WILL WANT TO BE SOMEWHERE SAFE WHEN YOU BREAK INTO ONE….. NEXT UP:  15 PRIZED …

Eating is an agricultural act. We can eat only if land is farmed on our behalf by somebody, somewhere in some fashion.

“Food democracy has become the rallying cry of an emerging grassroots movement. Eating local is part of it. At the most basic level, though, food democracy requires a transformation of the food industry, so that workers and consumers can exercise control over what they produce and eat. As the Small Planet Institute defines it, Food democracy means the right of all to an essential of life–safe, nutritious food. It also suggests fair access to land to grow food and a fair return for those who labor to produce it. Food democracy concerns itself with the future as well: It implies economic rules that encourage communities to safeguard the soil, water, and wildlife on which all our lives and futures depend.”

HARVEST~ DEFINITION:  v.  The taking in of one’s crops.  n. the season when ripened crops are gathered. Autumn is the quintessential season that we pair the word harvest with.  The timing couldn’t be more perfect.  The trees are turning.  The air is cooling and the fields are the color of a season – a melody …