December 21, 2016

Know Your Farmer: Happy Girl Kitchen Co.

HGK Family_Todd

Heirloom tomatoes in February? Peaches at Christmastime? When they have been perfectly preserved to capture the flavors of summer, absolutely!


HGK Plums
Photo provided by Happy Girl Kitchen Co.

Since 2010, Todd and Jordan Champagne of Happy Girl Kitchen Co. have been turning the bounty of the seasons into delicious jams, jellies, pickles, cocktail mixers, and fresh ferments to be enjoyed year-round. And possibly the best part? They are dedicated to supporting local, organic California farms.

After spending a summer on a family farm in Norway, the Champagnes found themselves farming the central coast of California. With California’s long summer growing season, they realized that the art of food preservation had almost become a thing of the past. This was a stark contrast to their experience in Norway, where if you wanted to enjoy the harvest of summer year-round, preservation was a must.

HGK Pickles
Photo provided by Happy Girl Kitchen Co.

Their first preservation endeavor, Fearless Pickles, began with a line of five different pickled vegetables. As their preserving methods grew into more than just pickling, they outgrew the name, and Happy Girl Kitchen Co. was born.

HGK Class
Photo provided by Happy Girl Kitchen Co.

In addition to a wide selection of artisan preserves, their storefront and café in serene Pacific Grove, CA offers preservation workshops, and farm-to-table cooking classes for home cooks and chefs alike. They also host parties, recipe swaps, and pop-up dinners to educate and engage participants about the importance of what’s on their plate.

HGK Pom-Jalapeno Shrub
Photo provided by Happy Girl Kitchen Co.

We offer several Happy Girl products throughout the year such as their Pomegranate Jalapeno Shrub, a sweet-and-sour (and a little spicy!) syrup that’s delightful in cocktails, salad dressings, or mixed simply with sparkling water. Anxious for summer to arrive? Try their Summer Strawberry Jam or Heirloom Tomato Salsa, and you’ll be transported to warmer days ahead.

How to add Happy Girl products to your delivery: CSA members - head on over to our online Farm Stand Market to customize your upcoming delivery. The Market is open from noon on Thursday until 6 pm, 2 days before your scheduled delivery day. After you confirm your produce items, click the orange button "Confirm and Continue To Other Farm Products" to add the products to your delivery.

Not part of our farm family?
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