For many of us, the New Year comes with the promise to eat healthier, add more fruits and vegetables to our diets and cook more meals. But with the winter weather still with us for several more months, it may seem hard to find the ingredients needed to meet these healthy goals. Fortunately there are a handful of local farmers that are offering fresh bounty year-round.
Just off of Highway 101 near Fulton Road, Tierra Vegetables Farm Stand is open to the public Thursday through Saturdays during the winter rain or shine.
“We will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday all winter until probably around April, until strawberries start which is dependent on the weather but it is usually around April,” said Tierra Vegetables co-owner Evie Truxaw.
During the winter months the stand features Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, several varieties of kale, butternut and spaghetti squash, cabbage, leaks, onions, potatoes and much more. The stand also sells dried chilies, popcorn, cornmeal, heirloom beans, house made sauces and spices.
“I think a lot of people think that there are no fresh vegetables in the winter, and there are,” Truxaw said.
Visitors can take a walk in the fields and see where the produce is grown, meet the farmers and trade recipes with fellow shoppers and farm stand staff. Tierra Vegetables is a family owned farm that has been growing produce in Sonoma County for over 30 years. Staff encourages visitors to bring a picnic and stay awhile.
“I have tried to make this a community gathering place, I try to get to know everyone’s names so that people feel very welcome when they come in,” Truxaw said.
Shoppers that need assistance with ideas on what to make with their seasonal produce can ask employees at the stand or visit, www.tierravegetables.com for recipes.
Tierra Vegetables is located at 651 Airport Blvd. between Hwy 101 and Fulton. The farm stand is open Thursday and Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The farm stand accepts cash, credit, debit and CalFresh and also offers a year-round CSA.
Those who like to spent their weekend mornings browsing the farmer’s markets, there are several that stay open year-round featuring numerous local vendors serving up everything from fresh vegetables to prepared food, cheeses and meats.
West County residents can visit the Sebastopol Farmers Market while locals further south and east can venture to either the Redwood Empire Farmers’ Market at the Santa Rosa Veterans Building or the Santa Rosa Original Certified Farmers Market at the Wells Fargo Center.
“I think it is important to eat seasonally,” said Ken Orchard, owner of Orchard Farms. “It is noticeable to me that the seasonality of veggies is important to your health.”
Orchard has had his farm in Sebastopol for 18 years and is a certified organic grower through California’s Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). He is currently offering beets, Brussels sprouts, rutabaga, burdock, celery, shallots, butternut squash and many more winter vegetables at the Wells Fargo Center Saturday morning market.
“I think as a customer you have a responsibility to develop a relationship with your farmer, know your farmer,” Orchard said.
At the Sebastopol Farmers Market, stop by and visit Nathan Boone and Jesse Pizzitola of First Light Farm and ask them about their dry-farmed potatoes, an old technique that contributes to sustainability by using winter and spring rains as the water source for growing crops by cultivating the soil and sealing the water in.
Not only can you find dry-farmed potatoes, dry-farmed winter squashes, kale and collards at the First Light Farm booth on Sunday mornings but owner Boone said it is a great way to continue support of local producers.
“Supporting your local farmers in the winter is important because our winter market sustain us until our crops become more full in the summer so it is about keeping the continuity in the local economy and keeping farmers supported during the winter season,” said Boone.
Like most farmers in the county, First Light Farm owners believe that eating seasonally from your local farm is not only good for your health but also provides the opportunity to try different foods.
“Otherwise you are just buying in to things shipped in for elsewhere and it is going to be older and less nutritious. Most people that buy from us are looking for the highest quality most nutritious food that they can buy,” Boone said.
“The winter markets are much more vibrant than people realize, and just because there is not melons and tomatoes, come on out because there is a lot of diversity and if you learn to eat seasonally than you will like it and it will be good for you and you will feel better,” he said.
The Sebastopol Farm Market is located at the Plaza on Weeks Way every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The Santa Rosa Original Certified Farmers Market is located at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Rd., every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Redwood Empire Farmers’ Market is located at the Santa Rosa Veterans Building, 1351 Maple Ave., every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tierra Vegetables Farm Stand is located at 651 Airport Boulevard between Hwy 101 and Fulton Road Thursdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
