Feta Peach Spinach Salad
2 lbs rinsed trimmed spinach
3 big white or yellow ripe peaches
1/4 cup feta cheese
3 Tblsp cold pressed olive oil
2 Tblsp rice vinegar
Kosher salt- and pepper to taste
Preparation
Tear spinach into a large bowl
Pit and peel peaches into the bowl.
Crumble feta with a fork into the bowl.
Sprinkle olive oil and vinegar on the top.
Season with salt and pepper and toss.
Serves 4-6
Fresh Peach Salsa
2 large peaches chopped
½ small red onion chopped
½ finely chopped jalapeno pepper
Juice and grated skin of 1 lemon or lime
1 Tblsp olive oil
2 tsp rice vinegar
Salt & pepper to taste
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and serve with chips or over chicken or fish.
Makes about 2 cups
Grilled Peaches or Nectarines with honey cheese
4 peaches or nectarines cut in half with pits removed
2 Tblsp olive oil
1 cup mascarpone cheese
1 Tblsp. Honey
In a small bowl mix mascarpone cheese and honey and whip together.
Brush the cut side of the fruit with the olive oil on the hot grill and brush the skin side before turning. Grill each side for 2 minutes and remove.
Serve – On a plate place the grilled fruit cut side up and fill with a dollop of the mascarpone.
Serves 8
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New food vendors have joined us to dazzle your taste buds in Martinez, Orinda and Walnut Creek!
Bonfire Crepes and La Crepe a Moi offer a variety of savory and sweet crepes from their menues or if you're feeling creative or particular for your favorite crepe- you can "build your own" crepe. For you breakfast lovers- Try the breakfast crepe: Huevos rancheros crepe filled with smoked Gouda, sweet organic corn and topped with salsa.
Slowhand BBQ
All Star Tamales
Flying Falafel
Natures Bounty
Planet Raw
Tio Santos Tamales
America's Favorite Farmers Markets contest is underway —have you cast your vote? Farmers markets play a key role in our communities by providing a way for consumers to invest in their local economy while enjoying food fresh from nearby farms! Vote now for your local farmers markets to become one of America's Favorite Farmers Markets!
Although you can only vote one time for one market, you can vote for all the farmers markets that you want to support. Vote for your favorites!
ECO Bags are for sale at all the market information booths. Use these bags in place of plastic. Great for storing veggies in the fridge!
Reuse - Reduce - Recycle your bags.
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Featured Farmer: Lone Oak Ranch |
 Lone Oak Ranch is known for their incredible orchards in the Central Valley, located seven miles from Kings River. The orchards produce a wide variety of citrus in the winter, stone fruit in the summer, and many types of nuts. The ranch has been family owned and operated by the Simmons family since the 1850's.
Dale Simmons is a fourth generation farmer who was born on the ranch to a farming family and community....destined to be a farmer. He started working full time on the farm when he was 10 years old, around the time of his first tractor ride. Dale's wife, Jolavonna ViDeaune or Jo for short, says "Dale is so tied to the farm, he has a hard time giving up doing things his way… he thinks he rides the tractor the best." Although farm workers to do most of the farm work, Dale continues to do the tractor work as often as he can.
Dale and Jo have known each other since third grade but were reaqainted at their 20 year high school reunion. Passionate about food and eating well it was Jo ViDeaune who convinced her husband the importance of farming organically. It was a long process that started eight years ago for the farm to transition from conventional methods to organic certified.
 Jo emphasizes, "It's important for customers to buy our produce because it's good for their health and for our planet." Good for the planet because we take great care and respect in how we tend the fields and don't use any chemicals to produce the bounty of food. Lone Oak has maintained their prices for the last 6 years and do not plan to raise them this year, even though they will take a financial hit due to a freeze on there citrus crops this past winter, the economy, and water issues in the Central Valley. Owning the land makes a huge difference and gives them the advantage in being able to make tough decisions for surviving as a family farm.
Lone Oak Ranch sells their delicious produce at 17 farmers markets each week, including Contra Costa Certified Famers Market's. Their son Nick operates a CSA delivery and sell to packing houses. Dale and Jo are dedicated to put their money into their rural community and help people with less access to fresh fruit by donating fruit to nearby food banks. Each year they have also paid college tuition for students who would not otherwise have the opportunity to attend college. Over the years, they have sponsored 44 students!
When customers buy directly from farmers, they help support livelihoods and responsible work!
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Featured Vendor: Bonfire Crepes |
Enjoying the wide array of street food on a recent trip to Thailand inspired Larry Bearg to start his mobile crepe business, Bonfire Crepes. Larry Bearg explains, "There is a tremendous amount of street food where you can walk up and watch your food being made in front of you. It is such a wonderful treat." Larry hadn't seen any mobile crepe vendors in the Bay Area and thought selling crepes at the Farmers Market would be a "wonderful thing to do and be a great addition to the food scene in the Bay Area."
 The menu reflects the flavors of what is in season and offers a variety of savory and sweet crepes. A French classic and one of his favorites is a smoked salmon, crème fraise, red onion and fresh dill crepe. He's crafted a breakfast crepe- Huevos rancheros filled with smoked Gouda, sweet organic corn and topped with salsa- for morning market patrons as well as a delectable dessert crepe of seasonal berries puree with a sweet cheese filing infused with lemon, vanilla and sugar. Sourcing produce locally is at the heart of Bonfire Crepes philosophy. Larry Bearg has built numerous relationships with Bay Area farmers and producers over the last decade as co-founder of Planet Organics, an organic produce delivery service bringing locally sourced fruits and vegetables direct to customers doorsteps.
Bonfire Crepes debuted for the first time as a business and at a Farmers Market this Spring of 2010. CCCFM, Inc. is the first Farmers Market organization Bonfire Crepes is apart of and Mr. Bearg tells me enthusiastically, I'm happy to be at the market."
Larry is open to crepe request and encourages new ideas from customers. Making your own crepe creation is welcomed and more toppings are continually added to the menu. Sweet frozen crepes are now available to take home and enjoy at your leisure.
Come on down to the Walnut Creek market on Sunday and Orinda Market on Saturday to savor the flavors of Bonfire Crepes. Say hello to Larry or his assistant and let them know you read about them in the newsletter!
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NEW MARKET: Opening in Tice Valley, Walnut Creek
CCCFM is happy to announce a new 12 week pilot market in Walnut Creek. The Walnut Creek Tice Valley market will be at the CCJCC (Contra Costa Jewish Community Center) parking lot every Friday from 9am-1pm. Market debuts on Friday, August 13, 2010
'Tice Valley Farmers' Market at the JCC'
New market opens on Friday, August 13 from 9am-1pm in Walnut Creek!
What's in Season?
 Artichokes, Avocados, Asian greens, Beets, Bell peppers, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplants, Grapes, Kale, Leeks, Lettuces, Onions, Peppers, Raspberries, Spinach, Summer squash, Squash blossoms, Strawberries, Swiss Chard, Stone Fruit-Apricots, Nectarines, Peaches, Plums, Tomatoes.
Please Note: Due to the weather, field grown tomatoes have taken a little longer on the vine to reach its delicious flavors. Please be patient. Just think- with all the waiting, the tomatoes will taste even more delicious when the tomatoes finally arrive at the market.
Deliciously flavorful Hot House Tomatoes are available from Bruins and Swank farms in Orinda, Lafayette and Walnut Creek! |
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Celebrate Sunday, July 4th in your communities!
WALNUT CREEK: Sundays 8am-1pm
The Sunday Market will be OPEN from 8am-1pm! Come on out, enjoy the festivities and stock up on all your produce for your July 4th BBQ's and picnics!
MARTINEZ: Sundays 10am-2pm
The Market will be closed for July 4th for festivities on Main Street. Come visit our Sunday Walnut Creek market for the festival of wonderful produce!
ORINDA: Saturdays 9am-1pm
Community Fund collection at the markets
Help Us Help the families of the injured workers!
2 funds have been set up for:
Jose Herrera, deceased
Eduardo Guerra
Make checks payable to:
VMC Foundation
2400 Moorpark Ave., Suite 207
San Jose, Ca. 95128
408 885 5299
Please write in the memo section of the check which fund you want the money to be deposited into, Jose Herrera, or Eduardo Guerra.
Also at the market:
Your spare change donation from market shopping will be added to our contribution.
CCCFM is making a donation to the fund set up for their care. Please Join Us in this effort.
Thank you.
Orinda July 4th Community Parade
The City of Orinda Celebrates its 25th Anniversary!
LAFAYETTE: Thursdays 4-8pm
Chef Demonstration: Stewart Beatty, Executive Chef of Postino Restaurant will be a guest Chef Demo Thursday, July 1.
Restaurant - Chef Stewart Beatty will be doing a cooking demonstration from 5-6:30pm at the Lafayette market. Here's his recipe for White Peaches Salad. |
Feature Content written by Lauren David, Assistant to the Executive Director and edited by Jessie Neu, Executive Director |
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