Local Farmers

Where do we get local produce, bread and meat? 
Living in an area with an abundance of fresh local seasonal foods available year round is important to us. Getting to know the individuals who grow our food and knowing where it comes from, along with the simple fact that it travels only a few miles from farm to market, is the very reason we the support the vendors at our local farmers market each week. Although our goal is to buy everything within an 100-mile radius, we rarely find ourselves venturing more than 6-8 miles from our doorstep.

Farmer's market in Solvang, CA
Wednesdays 2:30-6pm (rain or shine)

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Ashlin, Johanna, Quintin and Chris Finley.

The bulk of our produce comes from Chris and Johanna at Finley Farms. Johanna is awesome! We enjoy her bright smile and helpful tips each week. Their land is 100% organic and their produce consistently delicious! They grow everything from leafy greens to melons to squash and beyond! In addition to selling at local farmer's markets, they offer a CSA from April to November (a box of seasonal vegetables and fruit delivered to your door). Their farm stand is open  7 days a week from April to November. Visit them at 1702 N. Refugio Rd. in Santa Ynez, CA.

Delicious produce like blue potatoes, carrots and other seasonal goodies are also purchased weekly at the farmers market from The Garden of... Yes and YesYes Nursery, run by Shu Takikawa and Noey Turk. Takikawa is a mentor to many of the young local farmers. Takikawa's wife grows the best carrots!

We buy seasonal apples from the "delightful and bubbly" Sarah Finley at Fair Hills Apple Farm farmers market stand. Our favorite apples are Pink Ladies.

We love summertime, when Morrell Nut and Berry Farm offer delicious blackberries, raspberries, and homemade jellies/jams. Can't make the farmer's market? Visit the farm and take advantage of their U-Pick season. It's fun to take the kids (adult kids) when they come home. We especially love their low-sugar Raspberry jam and Pepper jelly.

Los Olivos Roots Farm located on the north end of the farmers market has a large variety of seasonal items too. Their zucchini, dried black beans are delicious as are all their produce. We try to support all the Organic local farmers each week.

BREAD AND PASTA
For bread and fresh pasta, we buy from Creekside Apple Ranch, home of Solvang Pie Company. We enjoy fresh wheat pasta, olive bread and rustic wheat bread. They usually sell out of rustic bread and pasta early, so get to the market by around 4:30pm. You can also purchase fresh eggs from this stand, on occasion.

MEAT
For local chicken, rib-eye steaks, ground beef, sausage, hot dogs, and beef jerky etc. we get it locally from DeyDey Farms each week at the farmers market. They are certified organic, grass fed and pastured, Certified Naturally Grown, and practice integrated pest management. They proudly follow Joe Salatin's methodology. Its great to know where our beef comes from. We can taste the difference and their meat is delicious!

Additionally, we'll get beef from San Julian. They're local and offer 100% grass-fed and farm-finished beef, and practice environmentally sustainable beef practices.

When it's time for rabbit stew (out of Emirol's cookbook), we pick one up from Marcie at Jimenez Family Farms. Her stand is on the north end of the market. It's antibiotic-free and hormone-free.

OTHER
We try to buy nuts, olive oil and olives from local companies. Santa Barbara Olive Company usually has great oils and sprays. If we have to find something not offered by a local farmer, we shop at New Frontiers.