Taste of slo
AGRICULTURE:
North County Farmers Markets by Camille DeVaul
T
here was a time when everyone grew four local markets every week, year-round, their own food. Everyone had a gar- even throughout the pandemic since 1985. den, a flock of chickens, dairy cows and goats, and maybe a few hogs. You only “I believe that one of the best places to supate what you grew or raised yourself. port locals is your little farmers’ markets in each little town,” says Robyn Gable, manager of the Then came the grocery store. People became North County Farmers Market Association, used to the convenience of running to the “You can get fresh produce, it lasts longer, and store to grab what they needed for dinner it’s fresher. The people, a lot of times, pick it that night. Soon, many of us lost the art of fresh that morning to sell.” garden and husbandry. Most importantly, eating locally means supBut there are those out there who keep the porting local families and your local economy. tradition of growing their food alive. They grow for themselves, and they grow for you, “You’re also going to be supporting so many the consumer. families. Not only the farmer’s families but sometimes they hire people to sell for them, Throughout North County and the Cen- so at this market today, you’re supporting maybe tral Coast, we are privileged to eat fresh and 13 families, maybe more. All you have to do is local food every day. Locally grown means buy eggs over here and get some bread over the product was grown and harvested within there and some fresh produce here and there,” 100 miles of your city. Local farmers provide Gable said. various produce, fruits, olive oils, meat, honey, and almost anything you can think of. Shopping at farmers’ markets ensures you will be eating seasonally. Seasonal produce has One of the best places to purchase from lo- been harvested at prime ripeness, creating nucal farmers is by shopping at farmers’ markets. trient-dense produce. There are four farmers’ markets each week in North County. When shopping at farmers’ markets, consumers can build a relationship with the farmer. Meet The North County Farmers’ Market As- them face to face and ask about their practices, sociation (NCFMA) brings the community their history, why they love farming their crop. LOCAL FARMS:
Atascadero
• Rocky Canyon Farms • Farmer Frank’s Mushrooms • Foss Farm
Templeton • • • • •
Magnolia Produce and Flowers Homestead Olive Ranch Templeton Valley Farms Outlaw Valley Ranch Templeton Hills Beef
Paso Robles (and surrounding) • • • • •
Matthew’s Honey Hernandez Larsen Family Farm Mt. Olive Organic Farm Fair Hills Apple Farm Beewench Farms
22 | MARCH
• • • •
The Groves on 41 Loo Loo Farms J&R Meats Twisselman Ranch Beef
South County • • • • • • • •
Bear Creek Ranch Los Osos Organic Farm De La Cruz Farm Mauro Perez California Bee Company Farmermaid Flowers Cirone Farms Dragon Spring Farm
Many restaurants take advantage and use local ingredients for specials on their menu. The majority of the food vendors at farmers’ markets use produce from the market as well. Alicia Denchasy, an owner of A-Town Humble Pies, says, “90 percent of all our products are all through what we can get through the farmers market.” When asked why Denchasy chooses to source her ingredients locally, the answer was simple, “It just seems like the right thing to do. I mean, that’s what they are here for. For us, it was great just because we want to support each other. This is our community—we’ve met all these people and learned about what they have, learned how we can use it in our product, and then we’re also educating our other consumers about the different kinds of fruits and vegetables that are out there.” Eating locally is easy to do, and the benefits are twofold, it helps your health and community at the same time. Visit northcountyfarmersmarkets.com for more information on North County Farmers Markets. See below for market locations and hours.
FARMERS MARKET FOOD VENDORS AND RESTAURANTS USING LOCAL INGREDIENTS:
Paso Robles: • • • • • • • • • •
Ben’s Custom Meat Cutting Negranti Creamery Jeffry’s Wine Country BBQ TASTE! Alchemist Garden Thomas Hill Organics McPhee’s Canteen Red Scooter Deli Odyssey World Cafe Firestone Walker
Templeton: • • • •
BellaVia Pier 46 Seafood Market Charter Oak Style Meats JC’s Kitchen
• Jacks Bar and Grill • Kitchenette
Atascadero: • • • • • • • •
A-Town Humble Pies Garcia’s Tamales LaDonna’s Colony Market & Deli Nautical Cowboy Nogi Sushi Restaurant Street Side Ale House Guest House Grill
South County & other: • • • • • •
Farmers Market Inspired Soup Vintage Cheese Company Breaking Bread Bakery Good Tides Organic Bistro Old Port Fish Stepladder Creamery Central Coast Journal
