Our January 2011 Featured Farmer:
Cipponeri Family Farms
Cipponeri Family Farms is a genuine family-owned and operated business that provides delicious fruit to the central valley and Bay Area in California. They specialize in stone fruit, but also carry dried fruit year round and sell a variety of other fruits when in season. The Cipponeri farms are located just outside of Modesto in the Turlock area. They grow an incredible variety of fruit on six different plots of farmland in Hughson, Hickman, and Denair. In addition, the raw almonds from CiproFarms are not pasterized. California law states that you can only get these raw nuts from a farmer since they are not sold in stores. There are tons of health benefits of raw nuts!
Throughout the spring and summer, the family is busy on the farm harvesting their stone fruits and at farmers' markets around the area making their fresh and healthy selections available for customers. The Cipponeris grow eight varieties of apricots in the spring, over 30 varieties of nectarines, and over 50 varieties of peaches in the summer! In addition to all those wonderful fruits, they also grow pluots, squash, and pumpkins. Obviously they have a lot of work to keep them busy, but somehow they find the time to also grow nine varieties of melons that are available in late summer.
The Cipponeri's goal is "To Satisfy Each Valued Customer With The Best Fruit They Have Ever Tasted." If you've tried any of their products you know that they hold true to their goal! They often give out samples so stop by and try for yourself at the next Heart of the City Farmers' Market!
If you want to learn more or stay up to date with what's happening at Cipponeri Family Farms, you can add them as a friend on Facebook.
Our December 2010 Featured Farmers:
Francesca's Organic Almonds
Francesca's Organic Almonds are proud to share their almonds "from their family to yours." Francesca Cipponeri and her family have worked in the Central Valley for over 40 years and have been farming organically for more than 14 years. Francesca's Organic Almonds is a member of CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers). They are also sustainable farmers, producing 100% organic nonpareil almonds. Francesca's almonds are locally grown in the California Central Valley and they make a point to only use almonds from the most recent harvest season to ensure the best taste and quality. Francesca herself can usually be found at the stand or nearby. She loves to talk and help her customers with any questions, so don't hesitate to ask.
Research on almonds indicates that these tasty whole foods can help promote optimal health. Studies have shown that when people ate a quarter of a cup of almonds daily for one year, the nutrient profiles of their diets shifted automatically toward the healthful patterns that help prevent cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other degenerative conditions. Almonds also provide more protein than the typical egg (6 grams per one-ounce serving vs. 5.5 grams per egg). Almonds are also high in oleic acid (the same heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids found in olive oil) and in magnesium, which eases blood flow and reduces the risk of heart attacks and free radical damage following a heart attack. And almond skins are very rich in potent antioxidant flavonoids. These flavonoids team up with the vitamin E in their meat to more than double the antioxidant protection on human LDL cholesterol when consumed separately.
Visit their website for more information and to see their Online Store! http://www.francescasorganicalmonds.com.
RoliRoti Rotisserie Chickens
RoliRoti is the country's first and finest mobile rotisserie that serves fine quality chickens and roasted potatoes all year round at the farmers' markets in the San Francisco Bay Area. Few people have taken as much time to gain the deep knowledge of producing and preparing meats for the rotisserie as Rotisseur Thomas Odermatt.
The son of a Swiss "Metzgermeister," or Master Butcher, Thomas literally grew up in the family's butcher shop in the Swiss Alps. From his father, Otto, he learned the importance of using the right cuts for the right purpose, and of choosing only meats that came from livestock pastured on open land. From his mother, Maria, he learned how to take these meats and prepare them in the perfect way for grilling on the rotisserie. To this day, Thomas still uses his mother's spice rub as the basis for the seasoning of RoliRoti's famous grilled chicken, and in the tradition of his father, insists on the finest, sustainably-grown meats.
Most of RoliRoti's chickens are roasted within 2 days of slaughter. They are spiced and then spit-roasted at a low heat for about 90 minutes on rotisseries in specially-built trucks. All of RoliRoti's chickens are from Fulton Valley Farm in Sonoma County. The chickens are raised without antibiotics or hormones, and are never fed animal by-products. In addition they are raised in open houses with equal space available outside to roam. Their diet includes the finest soy beans and corn. RoliRoti's potatoes come from Zuckerman's Farm, which has been in and around San Francisco farmers markets for years. The chickens, as well as the potatoes, are spiced with organic and kosher herbs.
Stop by and try one of the gourmet chickens soon! The delicious smell will lead you.
Whole Chicken - $12
Half Chicken - $5.50
Roll Combo (1/4 chicken and Potatoes -$6.00
Rosemary Roasted Potatoes (regular) - $5.00
Rosemary Roasted Potatoes (small) - $3.00
For more information, visit them at http://rotisystems.com/index.html.
Our November 2010 Featured Farmer:
Marshall’s Farms Natural Honey
Marshall’s Farm honey stand can be found every Wednesday and Saturday at the Heart of the City Farmers’ Market. Spencer Marshall, Head Beekeeper, and his team of honey enthusiasts produce their delicious honey products at their four and a half acre farm in American Canyon, about an hour from San Francisco. Taking a hand-crafted approach to traditional honey production, the beekeepers at Marshall’s Farm search out special regions in the Bay Area that support only a few colonies but have blooms that produce exceptional nectars and divine honeys. The diverse and constantly changing seasonal blooms of the greater Bay Area produce floral nectars and pollens that differ greatly in taste, texture, and color. The Marshalls have over 600 hives in 100 locations. Once ready, Marshall’s Farm harvests these small quantities of the superior-quality, gourmet honey, developed in these very special micro-climates, and bring the best of Bay Area honey directly to San Francisco.
Beekeeping began as a hobby for Spencer and his wife Helene over 40 years ago. Their hobby eventually evolved into a business in 1990. At their stand, you can sample and buy many different flavors of honey including Wildflower, Alfalfa, Almond Blossom, Blackberry Blossom, Clover, Thistle, Lavender, Orange Blossom, Sage, and many more. Their flavored honey straws are a delightful treat and are especially loved by children. You can also purchase the actual honeycomb, which is great with cheese and crackers, as well as wax for making candles and other art products.
Some interesting facts about honey you’ll learn at Marshall’s Farm stand is that honey—especially raw, uncooked honey—has a tremendous amount of antioxidants. Who knew that staying healthy could taste so sweet? As well as being beneficial to your health, honey won’t spoil or gather bacteria. They’ve even found honey in the Great Pyramids that was still edible after being warmed. Eating honey, particularly wildflower honeys, from within a 50 mile radius of where you live and work can help build up a resistance to allergy symptoms.
The Marshalls even have special hives set up in urban locations throughout San Francisco. The Fairmount Hotel, as well as the award-winning restaurant French Laundry, have a number of hives on location that they use to sweeten their gourmet dishes.
Like the busy bees they work with, Marshall’s Farm attends as many as fifteen farmers markets a week! Marshall’s Farm is passionate about is interacting with the people who visit their stands. The Marshalls and their employees love to chat and educate customers about honey. So stop on by, sample their many honey products, and taste the difference of Marshall’s natural, local honeys. For more information, visit their website at www.marsallshoney.com.