SoCo Farmers' Market Newsletter 09-28-12

Dragon Fruit

Tis the Season to Eat Farm Fresh!

Fall is creeping up on us, bringing with it a change in our farmers’ market offerings and our farmers. The change in season is bittersweet, as we say good bye to our beloved Sweet Tree Farms, yet say hello to Pedro’s Farms. 

Last Saturday we welcomed our new Certified Organic, local farmer, featuring organic avocados, butternut squash, and dragon fruit. This Saturday you’ll fall for our organic apples and pomegranates from Atkins Nursery and Fruita del Sol, and Blackberries and raspberries from Gaytan Family Farms. Taste the Season, isn’t it yummy?

Best Farmers Market - 3rd place!
We think we are hot stuff after being voted one of The BEST Farmers Market in Orange County! And we are happy to dedicate our win to you, our farmers’ market fans. Read the article by Lou Ponsi. And what does he list as our “Claim to Fame”? ”Open since 2010, the SoCo Farmers Market is a certified farmers market – meaning the farmers grow the produce and sell it directly to consumers”. SoCo is where the foodies go, and where you Shop. Eat. Local.

Family Fitness Day at the Market This Saturday!
As part of our National Family Fit Day, Dr. Linda Clinard returns to the Kiddie Corner with her Family Time Reading Fun! She offers free story time for kids this Saturday at the farmers' market with reading and activities at 11am and 12pm that focus on fitness and action. 

Living Fit OC will also be sharing tips and doing demos on living fit, and the info booth will be sharing recipes! "National Family Fit Days' purpose is to promote family involvement in physical activity and healthy eating habits, one the goals of our non-profit, Sprouts of Promise. 

                              

Get to Know Menos Farms 

Recently Mark Anderson our Sprouts of Promise Founder, and Elle Mari, the manager of our sister market in Newport Beach headed to the city of Riverside to visit organic farmers, Manuel and Lupe Flores, owners and operators of Menos Farms. Lupe and Manuel grow on a beautiful 4 acre property in a residential area of Riverside with the San Bernardino mountains providing a magnificent backdrop to their rows of organic veggies. 

Menos Farms has been in operation for 4 years and they grow a variety of vegetables including: tomatoes, peppers, several varieties of kale and lettuces, herbs, corn, beets, carrots, strawberries, squash, cucumbers, onions, and so much more. They are certified organic and take great care and pride in choosing only the best organic seeds and starts to grow their delicious fresh food. 

When they asked Manuel and Lupe what influenced them to grow organically, they said health was at the forefront of their minds. They regularly listen to a nutritionist who airs a local program on Spanish radio and took her advice to heart on the benefits of eating a chemical-free, vegetable rich diet. They started juicing their freshly grown fruits and veggies for breakfast each morning and Manuel lost a whopping 20lbs from his new found commitment to healthy eating! They even have all four of their kids drinking some of their favorite juice recipes like: beets, black kale, celery, and pineapple. 

Menos Farms is committed to providing you with fresh and natural produce to help you maintain (or start!) your healthy eating habits just as they do. Trust us, with the planting, picking, and weeding they do by hand each week--there's definitely something to that fresh food to give them so much energy! 

 After walking the fields with Lupe and Manuel and picking a few of our own fresh cherry tomatoes to take home with us, we asked them why you--our loyal Farmers’ Market shoppers, should choose to buy from them. Lupe said, "We grow organic food for health." Enough said!