For those who aren't already familiar with my obsessions, I do have a thing for seeking out the…read moretastiest meat and produce that I can find. I've smuggled raw milk cheeses over international lines and have hand carried illicit hams across the country to share with friends. In my experience, I've also learned that how your food is raised directly correlates to how it tastes on your plate. I first caught wind of Clark Summit early last year, as they were a part of the first Bay Area Meat CSA program. But it wasn't until November that the opportunity came up to purchase some pigs and check them out first hand. Spring had brought them a bumper crop of piglets...more than could be sustained on their limited acreage, so a number of them would have to be slaughtered. Of course, to me this means, "perfect timing for a whole pig roast!" Besides, taking the pigs off the land actually helped the farm run a more sustainable operation...enjoy tasty meat and help out the environment? What a concept. Additionally, the farmers, Liz and Dan, were more than happy to let me watch the slaughtering process, so I headed up to the farm a little early. (Try that with the meat at your local supermarket). I'll spare you the vivid details, but it was a definitely unique experience. I happen to believe that if I can't stand to watch my food's life from beginning to end, perhaps I shouldn't be eating it. After watching the slaughter of some pigs and turkeys and taking a tour of the grounds, Liz and Dan surprisingly and graciously invited me to lunch. I knew things were a little different when Dan asked me if I wanted some apple cider to go with our meal. I said "sure", thinking nothing of it, kind of like asking if someone wants water, juice or a soda... until he replied 'well, start picking away then!' We grabbed a bucket and picked right from their apple tree. Taking the bucket inside and washing our apples off, we removed the stems but then proceeded to throw the apples into the blender whole, seeds and all. What came out was just the crisp, sweet bite of apple that can only come from fresh pressed and un-oxidized cider. Lunch continued in similar fashion. Liz churned some raw milk butter straight from their dairy cow, the cheese and bread for the grilled cheese sandwiches came from their neighbor. Liz even shared some live-grain raw milk kefir that she had made. The combo of milk, acidic tang, fizz and alcohol's a pretty great experience in and of itself. We talked about food and the challenges of being a small homestead farmer pretty much through the whole afternoon. It was a more than gracious gesture, and I thank Liz and Dan for sharing their home with me. Luckily, this isn't just a cute little story about my day on the farm...Today marks the start of Clark Summit Farm's new CSA. (see Bonnie's post at http://www.ethicurean.com/2008/04/24/clark-summit-meat-club/#more-2747). Because it's basically just Liz, Dan and a couple of farmhands, until now, the only way to get their meat was to take the same route I did; buy whole animals, pick it up and butcher it yourself. With the new CSA, you'll be able to buy into a share of convenient cuts and only have to pick up from one of three locations (Emeryville, SF, Marin). There are three share sizes, so you can tailor the order to your needs. For the first share to be delivered in Mid-May, there are 50 slots available...so email meatclub@clarksummitfarm.com if you want in. Additionally, there are some factors that make Clark Summit unique: -They raise heritage meat birds (Red Broilers), which take 3 months to mature vs. the 7 weeks of Cornish Cross Hens. (the vast majority of chicken consumed in this country). There are some tricks to cooking with them, but feel free to ask me about them. -Their Duroc-Gloucester Old Spot Pigs are some of the finest around. Ask them about Berkshires and you'll get a "Pshh, I'll put one of mine up against a Berk anyday" in response. Honestly, next to real Ossabaws (endangered), or bellota-fed pata negra pigs from Spain...this is some of the finest pork you can get. It's what disappeared in twenty minutes at my pig roast, and it is the secret to my chocolate chip cookies. -Beef...again, they use less common breeds of heritage beef. The hairy kind...I can't remember exactly which...since I haven't had a chance to try them. But certainly something I'm looking forward to. Liz and Dan are artisans in the truest sense of the word. Farming has been in their respective families for generations. Simply, they live a humble existence driven by a passion for farming. If we don't support folks like these, some of the tastiest food on the planet is likely to go extinct... and that's no exaggeration. Eat well while helping the environment (not to mention preserving heritage breeds of yummy livestock)? What a concept.

We bought a whole cow from them in April 2014. The process was tough as she wouldn't never return…read morephone calls, email only. Communication overall was difficult as it would take days to week to respond. After tasting the meat for a year, our biggest issue is the meat is very gamey. It's to the point that we are giving most of the meat to our pups now. Personally would suggest finding other options or inspecting your head of cattle prior to purchase.

Very long overdue, but need to sing the praises of the team at Full Belly Farm. We had an amazing…read morefarm tour and farm to table dinner here with a group of 15 in April 2022. Staff gave us a comprehensive tour of farm operations and livestock care. It was so nice to see the animals well cared for. They're so knowledgeable and passionate about their work - it was really inspiring. Afterwards, we had a special set menu dinner with ingredients all from their farm. We were amazed by how flavorful everything was from their salad to the lamb chops and black eyed pea side. Highly recommend for a really unique and memorable experience for a group. Some of us also camped on-site that night! Would love to go back again.

Not so happy. Not a lot of inspiring produce. Mostly very hearty & long lasting. Lots & lots of…read moreonions, carrots, potatoes, kale, etc. When fruit was finally in the box, the tomatoes were already soft, the apriums bruised, & the melons a bit mushy. This was the day we got them! We've waited almost a week for a response after emailing to ask if this was a one off. They were very responsive when I was ordering things. :( They say they pick produce at its ripest but I don't think this means as it is about to turn. The delivery set up is different each week. Sometimes a swap box, sometimes not, sometimes it's awkward to get your stuff, sometimes it's so easy! I won't continue when my subscription is up.

Farmer Paul's boxes are amazing!! We've been getting them every week for almost 5 years and every…read morebox is full of fantastic seasonal organic produce. There's not usually any plastic packaging in the boxes too which I love. Farmer Paul has really changed the way we eat and we love it!

Greenhearts Family Farm is a gem, with a beautiful spot out in Half Moon Bay. I look forward to…read moretheir u-pick events with lots of delicious tomatoes as well as some berries and flowers. As for the CSA boxes, produce is organic, fresh, and local, and delivered to your door. They do a lot of nice events for CSA members. Farmer Paul and the team are lovely and care a lot about the community and what we eat. I hope they stick around for a long time.

Absolutely wonderful!!! I tried another CSA - no comparison. You can pick which drop-off location…read moreworks best for you, it's organic produce and it's quality produce. I like they give you a sheet that lists what you have received, how to maintain and prepare some of it too. This is my first year trying it, after my friend recommended it. So glad I did this. The only drawback is you can't select the box contents, but I look as it as a challenge to eat something new.

2013 and it's still great. I look forward to Friday. It's like Christmas every week, if my…read moregrandparents were organic farmers and only gave boxes of in season produce as gifts. Great couple that runs the show and does the hard work to enable me the pleasure of enjoying the good stuff week after week. Thanks M & L

If you know wagyu beef, don't order this inferior product. It tastes more like gristle than wagyu…read more NOTHING at all redeeming about this brand of inferior meat.

First light farm is now called SUNCATCHER Farms, on Bodega Ave. in Petaluma. The new owners took…read moreover after working for First light, gaining all of the insights to fabulous organic farming. I first discovered the farm By driving to and from every day from work. I started going every Saturday about 3 weeks now to pick up freshly harvested veggies. They setup a table right at the entry of the barn, and they are wearing masks, so everything is very safe. The owners Bree and Patrick, will go out of their way for you, and are so kind! Check Instagram under Suncatcher Farms for their Sat hours.

We were really looking forward to our first box but were extremely disappointed in the quality of…read morethe produce - both the fruits and vegetables. We cancelled our subscription after week one - but have 3 more boxes to pick up since you must pre-order a month at a time. I'm rating it a 2 instead of a 1 because I very much like the CSA model, in theory. We have subscribed to other CSAs in the past and found the quality to be higher. We tried this one because the pick up location was within walking distance of our home. I am reading the five star reviews and wondering how our first impression can be so completely different.

Disappointed on the quality, not even my Instacart shopper did this terrible picking fruits and…read moreveggies. I received green potatoes I had to throw out and tomatoes past their prime. We just received our last box today , 4 weeks was too long. The peaches and nectarines in the picture were in our box today, disappointing. I went with it because my wife liked the idea but there are better local areas in the Suisun Valley that are easy on the wallet, on the eye and on my tastebuds.

Moon Fox Farm comes to the Kensington Farmers' Market on Sundays and specializes in biodynamic…read moreagriculture and the production of heirloom varietals. These people were selling three different kinds of garlic, for example, when I stopped by. I brought home a small head of rose-colored garlic and appreciated my purchase as soon as I started making pesto. Here is a partial list of what Moon Fox Farm produces (taken from their CSA box web page): Arugula, Mizuna, Spinach, Chard, Beets, Sorrel, Mache, Little Gems, Lolla Rossa, (and other Heirloom baby lettuce), Broccoli, Cabbage, Leeks, Onions, Scallions, Chives, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Shiso, Papalo, Epazote, Parsley, Fennel, Lemongrass, Dill, Horseradish, Snap Peas, Shelling Peas, Fava Beans, Lima Beans, Okra, Carrots, Celery Root, Parsnips, Potatoes, Radishes, Turnips, Escarole, Chicories, Cauliflower, Kale, Collards, Hon tsai Tai, Bok Choy, Artichokes, Sunchokes, Beans, Dry Beans, Corn, Cornmeal/Polenta, Tomatoes, Peppers, Dried Chiles, Cucumbers, Summer Squash, Winter Squash, Strawberries, Melons, Walnuts, Prickly Pears, and Mushrooms. The farmer behind the farm is Annie Izaki, who "started Moon Fox Farm in hopes of getting people excited about roots, leaves, flowers, and fruit and to build on the connection between human, animal, plant, earth, water, and sky." This sounds pretty good to me; I intend to stop by their booth each week at the market.

We joined Moon Fox Farm's CSA six months ago. What a happy and great find! After leaving Valley End…read moreFarm's CSA, we struggled to find a CSA we could trust. We're so glad to have found Moon Fox Farm! Every two weeks, we get a substantial box of really fresh (there is dirt involved!) seasonal and delicious vegetables and herbs. We've especially loved the lettuces, eggplants, beets, cilantro, basil, tomatoes, garlic, and potatoes. We've tried and liked lots of new stuff like hon tsai tai and Jimmy Nardello peppers. The owner, Annie, is easy to work with and keeps us in the loop.

This farm is the jack of all trades! Their meats are amazing, the mother in the farm makes a bunch…read moreof natural products from aromatherapy to healthy supplements for your body. During the summer they hosts farm to table dinners that are well wrote the price for the food and ambiance the farm family provides to their guests. If you have little ones the farm also provides a camp some summers where kids can learn a lot. I recommend checking out their website and all the services this farm provides! See them at farmers markets too!

They have the best products! The owners are very informative! They speak to me on a spiritual level…read moreas well, have great service, and the best farm to table dinners!

After trying other CSAs in the area I came across Riverdog Farm from a newsletter sent out by my…read morefavorite pork butcher, Fatted Calf. $20 a week for organic produce, why not give it a shot. So I paid for a month in advance (you pay by check either by the month or the quarter) and waited for my first pick up. Fortunately there are a few options for picking up your box in Napa (check their website to see if there's one nearby you) including one only a mile away from our home. Yeah! The pickup location, at least in my area, is in someone's carport which is fairly typical of CSAs, thank goodness for volunteers. Just verify your pick up by signing the clipboard by your name, grab your box or unload it into your own bags (if you take the box return it in your next visit) then prepare to be wowed by the amazing produce. Each week is a little but different and changes along with the season. What's always in the box is the most beautiful organic produce I've ever seen. This weeks box had a bunch of gorgeous rainbow chard which was sautéed along with Fatted Calf sweet sausage served on top of Model bread with poached eggs. Best chard ever! I've posted a few pics of the last few boxes, judge for yourself, Riverdog Farm is amazing. It doesn't get any better than this. PS... They also raise organic fed hogs and chickens. Picked up my first pork share (delivered along with my regular box pick up) and the cuts look so tasty. Can not wait to braise the fresh hocks. Check their website for a complete list of pork share offerings.

I haven't written a single Yelp review since the Great Pandemic began. I would like to return to…read moreYelp, starting now, writing thankful and positive reviews for establishments that have come through for all of us in a time of crisis. Let's start with Riverdog! I was pretty confident that I'd written about Riverdog in the past and was somewhat shocked to see that I praised only their eggs in my short initial review. Yes, the eggs are great, and everyone knows it. But I can make a long, long list of Riverdog products that consider to be top notch: green garlic, raw chickens, pork chops, carrots, daikons, asparagus tips, onions, black radishes, little gems when they're available, .... At the moment, their early girl and heirloom tomatoes are truly excellent. In recent weeks, I've gotten their squash and green beans -- excellent again, of course. Riverdog prices are not outrageous, in view of the high quality. Their wares merit a detour. The farmers (Trini and Tim) and their employees (shout out here for Becky) are all super-nice. Check them out!