Living In The Moment

Farm News 

A big rain came through the farm a few weeks ago. The parched earth soaked up the water without leaving a drop to run off into the creek. Today, the change from that big drink of water is visible. The hills, once bright white with sun-bleached, dry grass are now rustic with wet, brown grass and a base layer of green sprouts on their way up to dominate the landscape.

Know Your Farmer: Fishpeople

Know Your Farmer

After a successful career in the textile and apparel industry, Duncan Berry moved to the central coast of Oregon with the idea of starting an environmental consulting business. He was passionate about protecting and restoring Oregon’s natural resources. He had grown up salmon fishing on his family’s fishing boat, so an interest in marine life came naturally to him. He became increasingly involved in marine reserve projects as well as environmental policy. It was at a sustainability-focused roundtable with Oregon’s governor that he met Kipp Baratoff, who had a background in finance and operations. Together, they recognized that the way the fishing industry was operating at the time was inefficient and harmful to the environment. Ocean habitats were in danger, as were the coastal communities where economies depended on the industry. With the goal of revolutionizing the relationship between consumers and the sea, they co-founded Fishpeople in 2012.

Know Your Farmer: Jacobsen Salt Co.

GREAT SALT EVERYDAY

When Ben Jacobsen lived in Scandinavia, he discovered the magic of finishing salt — how it can be the single most effective and affordable way one can elevate food. He instantly became mesmerized by how "good salt" can elevate each bite of food. His appreciation for salt quickly turned into a pursuit for making the best salt in America.

Farm-tastic Gifts to Fulfill Your List

As much as this season is about being joyous and grateful, the gifting process can be time consuming. We can help you continue to feel the joy and beat the crowds by delivering gifts directly to your door. We have an eclectic gift selection for all those fabulous people in your life: the green thumb, the foodie, the salty chef, the sweet tooth and more. When you Customize Your Box, you can easily check off all those gifts on your list!

Know Your Farmer: Clover Sonoma

Iconic Clo the Cow Brings Prosperity

We all love the iconic Clo the Cow with her magnificent smile and witty puns. The more you learn about Clover Sonoma, the more you will love them too. Let’s jump into a quick history lesson to see why Clover is a great company to partner with!

Know Your Farmer: Far West Fungi

Respect for the Fungi

Many have an affinity for edible fungi, and thanks to John and Toby Garrone, and their fanatical love of fungi, they bring fungi to the people! Far West Fungi has been cultivating mushrooms for 25 years, focusing on the more unusual varieties that typically grow on trees. Known for their freshness and quality, Far West Fungi has a brick-and-mortar in the San Francisco Ferry building, just doors down from ours. We are thrilled to be neighbors with them, and excited to carry their dried mushrooms and mushroom jerky products.

Fall Thanks

FARM NEWS

The mornings are getting cold, cold enough to cause the citrus trees to remember they are tropical trees living in a place that is just warm enough through the winter to keep them from dying. They show this through their leaves in the early morning curled back like they are reacting to a bee sting. The smoother and lighter green of the underside of their leaves is visible. By mid-morning, they are back to normal.

Know Your Farmer: Equal Exchange

An Honest & Fair Food Movement 

Equal Exchange was founded in 1986 with an idea of creating a food trading model that was honest and fair, and values each part of the supply chain. Equal Exchange is a forward-thinking company that cares deeply for the justice of small farmers, the organic food movement, and sustainable ways to bring their products to their consumers, while thinking about the environmental impact and how to ensure a happier planet. Sounds like a perfect partner for us to link arms with, right? 

Holiday Baking Essentials

With the holiday season quickly approaching, we want to help make your preparation as smooth and stress-free as possible so that you can focus on what’s important: spending quality time with your friends and family, and of course, enjoying delicious food. Skip the hectic last-minute dash to the grocery store and easily add all of your holiday baking essentials to your Farm Fresh To You delivery.

Know Your Farmer - Laura Ann's Jam

Eat. Drink. Jam.

Laura Ann Masura has taken a unique path to get where she is today. Her career began as a punk rocker drummer, but when her band broke up, she discovered a different kind of jam-session by reacquainting herself with the preserving skills she was taught by her grandmother.

Essential Items for a Farm Fresh Thanksgiving

Whether you're preparing for a traditional turkey dinner or a not-so-traditional, modern meal, we've got many of the items you need to create a Thanksgiving dinner to remember. Save the hectic trip to the store, and add them items you need to your Farm Fresh To You delivery.

hors d'oeuvres

Whet your guests' appetites with any of these simple-but-delicious hors d'oeuvres: whole Castelvetrano olives, organic dried fruit & nuts, crunchy cassava crackers, olive oil and sel gris flatbread crackers, or choose from a selection of our salsas and dips.

Create a diverse and decadent cheese plate with any of our traditionally-made cheeses or dairy-alternative cheeses.

Veggies

Add the perfect accompaniments to your holiday meal, like fresh organic green beans, sweet potatoes, kale, Brussels sprouts, fresh cranberries, Satsuma mandarins, Maitake or Chanterelle mushrooms...the list goes on. We've also added many new items to our collection of farm products that will enhance your veggies, salads and side dishes.

Organic Yuzu Extra Virgin Olive Oil

This special oil from Flatlands Oil & Mill combines the unique citrus flavor of Yuzu and the traditional California Mission olive. The result is a smooth, floral oil with hints of pine, hops and green tea. Its wonderful flavor brightens salad dressings and is perfect for dipping freshly-baked bread. Look for the many other olive oils and vinegars we carry.

We also have stocks & broths, maple syrups, nutritional yeast and other salts & spices, as well as organic bread crumbs & Italian nut crumbs to complement your veggie dishes.

Rice, Grains & Pastas

Grains and pastas add a nutty, healthy addition to your Thanksgiving spread. We offer organic red cornmeal, organic farro, rainbow quinoa, golden couscous and variety of tasty and unique pastas.

Organic Wild Rice

This locally grown organic wild rice has a distinctive nutty flavor and chewy texture that pairs well with the earthy, autumnal flavors and colors of harvest-time foods. For a subtler flavor, some like to blend wild rice with brown rice in stuffing and pilafs. Wild rice bursts open when it’s cooked, so you can tell at a glance when it’s done.

Main Course

Pasture-Raised Turkey
We are thrilled to offer Pasture-Raised Turkey from Ferndale Farms. They have been raising turkeys on their family farm since 1939. Ferndale turkeys are grown in harmony with the seasons. They are pasture-raised during the summer months and grown in a free-range environment during the winter months. Because of this artful approach, Ferndale produces slow-growing turkeys with robust immune systems that don't need any antibiotics or other unnatural additives or interventions. You will absolutely be able to taste the difference!

Try roasting your turkey (ham, chicken, fish, and more) in a unique and innovative, parchment bag.   The unbleached totally chlorine-free grease-proof paper seals in the juices to create delicious, tender, and moist meat.




Turkey Alternatives
As a centerpiece, appetizer or even sliced in a sandwich with your Thanksgiving leftovers, this Vegan Celebration Roast is perfect choice for your holiday meal. Field Roast starts this vegetarian roast with a rich and savory sausage-style stuffing made from Field Roast grain "meat," fresh-cut butternut squash, mushrooms and Granny Smith apples seasoned with a blend of rosemary, thyme and sage. Then the stuffing is surrounded with their most luxurious grain meat seasoned with rubbed sage, garlic and lemon juice.

Some of our other, less traditional Thanksgiving meat offerings include whole, free-range duck, organic whole fryer chicken, pork sirloin roast, lamb or even seafood.

What will you be gracing your Thanksgiving table with this year? Let us know in the comments below!

How To Add a Thanksgiving Essential Farms 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 10 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? Find out if we deliver to your neighborhood.

Know Your Farmer: Bellwether Farms

Grassy Pastures Lead Sheep to Award Winning Cheese

Cindy Callahan, founder of Bellwether Farms in Sonoma, CA, decided to bring some sheep to pasture as a natural way to control the growing grass. She was a nurse, and in her 50’s, so a career in cheese was not top of mind. However, a casual suggestion by a friend to milk the sheep opened Cindy’s eyes to the potential of a sheep dairy farm. She embraced the challenge, bringing the rest of her family along for the eventful ride. There are so many reasons we are grateful to be a part of Bellwether Farms’ ride of a lifetime.

Know Your Farmer: Creekside Farms

The leaves have turned, the air is crisp and we can almost smell Thanksgiving dinner in the air. With the holidays right around the corner, many of us are looking for simple ways to add that warm and cozy feeling to our homes. The addition of a wreath to the family door is often the tell-tale sign that the holidays are upon us. And this year, our family will be hanging a beautiful, artisan wreath from Creekside Farms on our door.

Know Your Farmer: Frog's Bakery

Available in southern California Farm Boxes. 
Since 2010, Frogs Bakery has been turning flour, water and yeast into works of art – for both the eyes, and the palate! Though they originally opened their doors in Tuscon, AZ, it wasn’t long before their products gained popularity, and they realized they needed to expand. In 2013, the team built a new production bakery and moved their operations to Gardena, CA where they are located today.

A Hint Of Orange

Farm News

My favorite season is in full stride. The worn foliage of the oaks has delivered precious acorns that sit freshly over a base of leaves from last season. The sky is blue with the occasional puffy white clouds, floating to the east with the gentle breeze.

Know Your Farmer - Full Belly Farm

We are so pleased to introduce you to one of our favorite Capay Valley neighbors and friends, Full Belly Farm. This family/friend owned and operated farm was started back in 1985 by Paul Muller, his wife Dru Rivers and friends Judith Redmond and Andrew Brait. This like minded foursome bonded over a yearning to grow a diverse range of organic produce for their local community. The group chose the picturesque Capay Valley of Yolo County to plant roots and fittingly named their place Full Belly Farm.

Know Your Farmer: Chivas Goat Milk Soaps

If you've never tried goat soaps from Donna and Lauren Johanson, our favorite Mother-Daughter duo at Chivas Skin Care, you're in for a real treat!

Know Your Farmer: Upper Crust Baking Co.

Eat Local Bread! 

Flour. Water. Yeast. Salt. This handful of ingredients makes up the base of bread dough, from baguettes to brioche, and while it seems simple enough, the factors that influence a great loaf of bread are myriad.

October Unprocessed + Giveaway

Fall has finally arrived, and once again, we are gearing up for our annual October Unprocessed challenge. For those of you who aren’t one of the 30,000 participants, October Unprocessed is a movement started in 2009 by Andrew Wilder.

Know Your Farmer: Steamboat Acres

In January of 1848, 170 years ago, a carpenter named James Marshall found gold in the American River, kicking off the California Gold Rush. Hundreds of thousands of people migrated west with hopes of getting rich, and members of the Neuharth family were among them.

The Beginners Guide to Wine Tasting

We'll be celebrating the crush season on our farm this weekend at our Capay Crush Festival! One of the many activities planned is wine tasting. We'll be enjoying wines from the following local wineries: Capay Valley Vineyards, Seka Hills, Sundstrom Hill Winery, Matchbook and Berryessa Gap.

Know Your Farmer - Cru Chocolate

Growing connections from cacao farms to chocolate loving communities

With passion, craftsmanship, and creativity, two engineers turned entrepreneurs have brought the first bean-to-bar business to the Sacramento area. Cru Chocolate was founded by Karla McNeil-Rueda and Eddie Houston in 2016, and we are grateful to have them join our community.

DIY Mason Jar Butter

There is nothing better than homemade butter. OK there may be something better, but right now all I can think about is rustic bread smothered in creamy, delicious butter. If people knew how easy it is to make this staple, my guess is that everyone would do it.

Fire Landscape

Farm News

A huge red fire ball looms over the farm late in the afternoon. As it sets to the west, it disappears behind the thick layer of smoke, but it is still light. The haze of the days and the inability to see the hills that normally surround us have become normal this summer. Somewhere a fire burns, taking decades of brush and undergrowth and turning it to ash. We are reminded that as far away as it is from our farm, it really is not that far away from any of us.

5 Farm Fresh Salad Dressings

One way to motivate yourself to eat more salads this season is to have a tasty, homemade dressing drizzled on top. Freshly made avocado ranch dressing can turn a boring green salad into something exquisite.

The secret is using fresh, seasonal produce in combination with good quality oils, vinegars or dairy. We know that store-bought dressings are convenient, but homemade tastes better, costs less and is so much better for you. Plus, most of these dressings can be made in less than 10 minutes. So here are our top 5 favorite dressing recipes to get you prepping for a summer of lusciously dressed salads.

Avocado Ranch

Serves 12
Kids and adults alike will love this creamy ranch-style dressing. It also makes a great dip for veggies.

INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
1/4 cup sour cream
1 avocado, peeled, pitted and quartered
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup of milk (add extra for a thinner consistency)
1 tablespoon olive oil
Juice from 1/2 lime
Salt and pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS:
1) Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender.  Pulse until creamy. Add additional milk if you would like a thinner consistency for your dressing.

2) Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Drizzle over salad or use as a dip for vegetables.

Click here for a print friendly version of the recipe.

Champagne and Herb Vinaigrette

Serves 6-8
This is the dressing that we use over our Arugula Salad with Grilled Peaches, however, it is one of those delicious dressings that will make you love anything you pour it over. Use it on salads or as a marinade for your meats and veggies.

INGREDIENTS
2 small garlic cloves, finely minced
1 shallot, finely minced
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons fresh oregano, chopped
2 teaspoons fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup of champagne vinegar (or substitute with red wine vinegar)
Salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS
1) Combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk together until combined.

2) Store in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

Click here for a print friendly version of the recipe.

A post shared by Organic Produce Delivery (@farmfreshtoyou) on Jul 13, 2018 at 11:00am PDT

Lemon and Basil Vinaigrette

Serves 4-6
We are huge fans of everything basil right now and with summer in full force, the supply of basil is plentiful on the farm. Not only is this delicious on salads, but try drizzling it over some bruschetta for a new twist on a classic summer appetizer.

INGREDIENTS
3 tablespoons fresh basil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1-1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS
1) Place basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, mustard and lemon juice in a blender.

2) Pulse a few times, then slowly pour the olive oil in the blender.

3) Continue to blend until vinaigrette is smooth.

4) Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.

5) Store in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

Click here for a print friendly version of the recipe.

Blueberry Balsamic Vinaigrette

Serves 8
The perfect summer salad dressing made with just 3 simple ingredients.

INGREDIENTS
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar

DIRECTIONS
1) Place blueberries in a small saucepan, add just enough water to cover the bottom of the pan.

2) Cook on medium low heat until berries are soft and thickened.

3) Place 1/2 cup of the berry mixture in a blender with the olive oil and vinegar. Blend on high until well combined.

4) Allow to cool, store in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.

Notes: You will have some of the berry mixture left over. You can use it in yogurt, on top of ice cream, or on toast.

Click here for a print friendly version of the recipe.

Roasted Red Pepper Vinaigrette

Serves 14-16
This one pairs well with just about any leafy green or veggie. Plus, it makes an amazing sauce for anything grilled! If you're feeling adventurous, try grilling your peppers instead of roasting in the oven.

INGREDIENTS
1 large red peppers (1 cup roasted)
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup water
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley, or basil and chives

INSTRUCTIONS

1) Cut the red peppers in half, remove the stem and seeds. Place the red peppers on a baking sheet with the cut side facing down.

2) Place the baking sheet on the top shelf in the oven and broil until the outer layer of the skin has blackened, about 10-20 minutes.

3) Place the peppers in a zip-lock bag or other sealable container, seal and let them cool until you can handle them, about 20 minutes. Remove the skins from the peppers. The skins should easily "pinch" off.

4) Blend the peppers, vinegar, water, olive oil, garlic, honey, salt and pepper until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Pour into a jar and stir in chopped parsley. Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Click here for a print friendly version of the recipe.

How To Add Produce and Farm 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 10 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? Find out if we deliver to your neighborhood.

Canyon Fire

Farm News

With the summer harvest on us, we were watching the weather closely – hot, low humidity and windy. A note of caution was sent to the irrigation team as these are the conditions that are ideal for drying out crops. Late in the afternoon, rumblings of a fire up the valley were heard. The rumblings soon turned into fact and a huge plume of smoke could be seen rising into the sky; it looked like a cloud. Turns out the weather that dries out crops grows wild fires too.

The Purple Flower With Power

We have been growing lavender on our Capay Organic farm for several years now, so we know about lavender’s reputation for relaxation and its ability to help with a good night's sleep. More recently we've come to know some of its lesser known qualities including its ability to disinfect, its anti-inflammatory effects and even some of its healing properties. Below are a few quick and helpful recipes for using dried lavender in your cooking, cleaning and home remedies.

COMING TO MY SENSES BOOK GIVEAWAY

If you’re anything like the crew around here, you’re in love with food - the freshness, the seasons, the flavor and the traditions that encompass it. And when we aren’t cooking food or eating food, we like to read about it.

Farm Spring

Farm News

The hustle and bustle of the farm is intense this time of year. All of my beautiful cover crops that were grown over the winter need to be incorporated into the top soil before we can plant the next crops. I was proud to see that my kids were not as tall as the cover crops this year – had I turned them loose in the middle, they likely would have never found their way out of the maze of grasses and legumes! With the tall, green tops come thick, deep roots. With all of that come more organic matter for the soil, more carbon sequestered from the atmosphere – more good stuff. Also with that comes a need for it to break down and be fully incorporated into the soil so that we can inject our drip tape and run our transplants, seeders and cultivators.

3 Amazing Uses for Fresh Aloe Vera

Aloe is well known for healing sunburns, but that isn’t its only superpower. Aloe has been consumed and used cosmetically for thousands of years. In fact, ancient Egyptians called it “the plant of immortality,” and Cleopatra is said to have used aloe as a daily skin moisturizer. Keep reading for three of our favorite ways to use fresh aloe.

How to Harvest the Gel from an Aloe Leaf

Did you know that you can add aloe leaves to your Farm Fresh To You delivery when you Customize Your Box? You've probably used aloe vera gel to heal your skin after too much time in the sun, but did you know that you can also consume it? Aloe is rich in vitamins A, C and E, which can help boost your immune system. But before you can enjoy it's many benefits, you're going to need to learn how to harvest it. See below for our 5 easy steps.

What Should You Do With Your Crystallized Honey?

Sometimes people feel uneasy when they discover their honey has crystallized. Let us reassure you, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the honey. We even suggest you try your crystallized honey as is! Crystallization is a natural phenomenon that preserves the flavor. Many people (us included) prefer the crystallized form because it is easier to spread on toast, biscuits and other morning goodies. Plus, you may find yourself loving that slightly grainy and crunchy texture too. However, if you are not a fan of this natural occurance, you can de-crystallize your honey back into its liquid form by following these easy steps we've provided below.

Investing in the Future

From the Fields - Thaddeus
 
Mandarins are so good. I remember in high school, a teacher asked me what my favorite crop was, and without hesitation, I responded “Satsuma Mandarins.” The smell of the petite, white blossoms in the spring is without a doubt the best smell in the world. The fruit, easy to peel, easy to eat and healthy for our body, is also amazing. Couple all of that with the fact we harvest them during a time of year when our farm doesn’t have a ton of other fruit options, and you can begin to understand my love for this crop.

KNOW YOUR FARMER: GIRL MEETS DIRT

Photo by Girl Meets Dirt.

Girl Meets Dirt fruit preserves encompass all that’s good in the food world. In addition to being an artisan product, made on a fairytale-like island, from ripe, seasonal fruit that is often picked from century-old orchards, these preserves have unique and unexpected flavors that set them apart from anything else we’ve tried – and we keep going back for more.

Tomato Season

Farm News

Technically there are four seasons on the farm – spring is always the first when I think of the chronological order of the season. Everything is green, plans are new - spring always gives the most hope for the upcoming farming season. Spring gives way to summer with the heat.

Let's Talk About our Food System

Farm News

As summer turned to fall, our lettuce seed was tucked into soil in a plastic tray under a greenhouse. The tiny seeds germinated. For 35 days, they grew until their roots were confined by the limited soil in the transplant tray.