In Support of Local Farmers (Larry's Produce)

There's something about the earth and the natural world; about how soil and seed, water and sun, can produce the foods that give us life. Fruits and vegetables, like flowers and plants, are so diverse, so unique. Each one with it's own flavor that dances on the taste buds. Creation, in it's glory, has made our sustenance colorful, bright, large, small, sour, sweet, bitter, round, oblong, bumpy, smooth, prickly, fuzzy. So many skins do our foods grow in. And in our modern world, with our modern tools, man can produce fruits and vegetables in much larger amounts that our ancestors could ever imagine. Even with all the modern tools, the labor is still backbreaking and brutal. Which makes the reaping all the more appreciated. I know what it takes to grow the food that feeds the masses.I have seen the men and women hunched over in the sizzling sun, picking strawberries, carrots, avocado and the other crops we desire. The foods that we can easily acquire by taking a drive to our local supermarket without so much a thought to what it took for that pint of blueberries to make it to the Whole Foods shelf.
                      

I want my girls to grow up understanding, appreciating and respecting the earth and the food and water we use. The food and water that keeps us alive. It is in this vain, that I so strongly support the local farmers in our areas and/or the local markets that buy directly from those who toil the fields here in Northern California. But I want the girls to touch the earth with their own hands as well. That is why this year, our garden has meant so much to our family. They saw their father build our small garden from the raised bed, to getting the soil, planting the seeds and then patiently waiting for something to grow. Amara, at age 5, has been able to help her father and has taken pride in watering the plants. Both girls have been mesmerized by the carrots, peppers and strawberries that they have harvested. But I also want them to see the larger local farms so when they ask for blueberries or walnuts, they understand that they didn't just appear in the store.

                  

It was with this intention in mind, that this past Friday I kept Amara out of school so she, Havana and I could visit a farm up in the Suisun Valley. Being outside on a warm summer day seemed like a better classroom than being indoors, so off we went. Larry's Produce, just a twenty-five minute drive on I-80 East, sells fruits, vegetables and flowers that you can buy from inside the stand or you can pick some things for yourself (http://www.larrysproduce.com/index.html)  From what I learned, much of the produce is grown on his farm, where the stand is, or from farms within a few mile radius. Some of the produce is imported (I doubt bitter melon is grown in Solano County) but having lived overseas, I am always thrilled to see foods that are not typical in our American diet. And from what I saw while exploring the grounds, some of their produce must come from the Central Valley, which is close enough.


We are so privileged here in the Western United States to have some of the largest farms in the world. Commerically grown food is necessary to feed the millions who live in the concrete jungles. But the smaller, local farmers work just as hard and I think it's important to not only understand what it takes to grow food but to support our local farmers. They are our life line. Literally.  

At Larry's Produce, the amounts of produce they sold was astounding (see cherry mountains below) and the prices remarkable. I was a bit disappointed that it seemed like they did do much organic. But for those who do not have the economic advantage to buy organic, Larry's offers the opportunity to buy fresh produce very reasonably. We had made the effort to drive up there so I put my 'organic upitiness' on the back burner and let the girls pick what they wanted. And I did too. We spent $39 on four canvas bags of food that included several pounds of cherries, grapes, okra, nectarines, eggplant (2 for $1.00), figs, melon, Persian cucumbers, heirloom tomatoes, a enormous watermelon, orange cauliflower, collard greens, local honey and Amara picked flowers. Monterrey Market can't even beat that!

                       


                                               

                        

                       
                       
                                     

                       

                                     
                                            
Walking out to the fields was perhaps the highlight of our trip. It was a bit too hot and far for the girls to walk to the furthest areas but within reasonable distance were flowers, rows of zinnias that were heavenly to just look at. While Havana had fun running up and down, Amara and I picked some to make two beautiful bouquets for our home. While we picked I talked a bit about farming and how what it entails. I didn't say too much. I think the girls seeing and experiencing was enough. They have had some experience cherry picking so they are slowly getting the lessons I want them to have. I am confident that as we continue to teach by example, my little ladies will grow up loving, respecting and honoring the earth and hopefully sharing this with those who are part of their lives as they grow.

                                    
                                       

Playing on an old-school, non-working tractor.

Amara listening to the melons to see which was ripe and juicy!
I guess she has seen me do this enough that she wanted to try it
out for herself!

                       
                    

Contemplating!

                      

The girls just had to watch that all their fruit was packed up!