July: What's in Season

Since so much of the nation's produce comes from California, this list of what's in season may be helpful not only to Northern Californians but to other Local Foragers around the country.

Woo hoo, tomatoes are IN! And, while I haven't gotten my hands on any yet, I'm really excited to see that Romano beans (pictured) are also in. They're a staple of my summer diet.

Peppers haven't quite hit. Or maybe they did this weekend but I missed them at Al's booth (most northeasterly covered booth) at Alemany because I was in Sonoma* for the holiday.

-JUNE-

Returning this month (weather willing): Okra, figs, plums, field-grown tomatoes, melons, dahlias, new potatoes, peanuts, shelling and Romano beans, tomatillos, crabapples, grapes

Plentiful: Summer squash, nectarines, peaches, pluots, radishes, basil, sunflowers, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, garlic, onions, lettuces, French and green beans

Winding down/limited supply: Hot house tomatoes, apricots, cherries, blueberries, dates (they will return in September), rhubarb

(Source: CUESA, the Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture. CUESA promotes food system sustainability through the operation of the San Francisco Ferry Plaza Farmers Market and its educational programs.)

* On the way home from Sonoma, I discovered a cool little vegetable stand - Hardin Gardens. It's located about 3 miles south of the town plaza, on Broadway on the way to Hwy 121. Hardin is family-owned and operated, 5-acre sustainable farm. They sell direct to the public from their stand which is at the front of the property. Hours are noon to 5pm Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Everything is freshly picked on the morning of each business day.

The lettuces were a sight to behold. They specialize in heirloom and hybrid tomatoes, but there weren't any when I arrived today. In addition to a couple different varieties of lettuce, I saw peaches, dino kale, collards, freestone peaches, several varieties of summer squash, daikon, incredibly cute carrots, herbs of all kinds. Prices were very reasonable.

Comments

[Sharon Lear]

I stumbled into this sight on a Tabouleh trip and just love it. Thanks for all the great info, ideas and recipes. Sharon