Our Friends

Here's a list of our friends: farmers that provide our fruit, vendors that sell our products, farmer's markets we are a part of, and artists that make the artwork for our product labels. Check 'em out! They are good people.

Farms / Farmers

Andy's Orchard

Andy Mariani, educated in both horticultural and behavioral sciences, continues the family tradition of growing sweet cherries, apricots, peaches, nectarines, and plums, but he also has a reputation as a highly innovative orchardist who utilizes some of the newest agricultural research to develop better farming techniques. As a member of the California Cherry Advisory Board’s research committee, he has helped initiate research on cherry growing.

Another of Andy’s interests is the maintaining of one of the largest collections of stone fruit varieties on the west coast and during the summer months he personally hosts fruit tastings and tours. Andy is a noted fruit expert for the California Rare Fruit Growers organization. He's passionate about what he does - often teaching classes of Master Gardeners (Santa Clara County) and horticulture students at the local high school as well as gardening forums on the internet. Andy is a contributing writer to the Oxford Encyclopedia of American Food and Drink in America. He has also authored a book on fruit varieties, written many articles, and lectures on fruit and fruit culture.visit websitecontact Andy's Orchard

Natures Acres

Delicious Organic Strawberries Grown Here!visit websitecontact Natures Acres

Ferry Farms

Ferry Farms, a family farm for 5 generations, invites you to....
visit them,
taste their juicy oranges
and quench your thirst with their fruit juices.

We are located in Woodlake, CAvisit websitecontact Ferry Farms

Naturipe Farms

The demand for organic products has been on the rise as consumers look for new food alternatives. Organic farming is a sustainable approach that uses all natural methods to feed plants and control insect and disease damage. Some examples of organic farming practices include the use of beneficial insects like ladybugs to keep pest populations to a minimum, and the use of beneficial micro-organisms to keep the soil healthy.

In 2002, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program was created to provide standards for all domestically produced and imported products that are labeled "organic." When you buy organically labeled food from inside or outside the USA, you can be sure it was produced using the most stringent production and handling standards in the world. As part of the labeling process, growers must have their farms inspected and certified by a USDA-approved, third-party inspector prior to packing and shipping their products.

Naturipe® Farms offers consumers a full line of organic berries sourced from independently certified organic growers located throughout North and South America. Look for our bright green label in your local grocery or natural food specialty store.visit websitecontact Naturipe Farms

Driscol Farms

Family owned for over 100 years, Driscoll's is passionate about growing premium fresh berries. Our strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and organic berries are sweet, juicy and naturally wholesome. Packed with antioxidants, fiber and vitamins, they're a healthy treat for any time of the day. Driscoll's offers exclusive berry recipes, including healthy berry recipes, for all your menu needs. Trust Driscoll's to provide the highest quality and best tasting fresh berries.visit websitecontact Driscol Farms

George Chiala Farms

Family is the corner-stone of the Chiala’s business. They enjoy working together, serving their community, and extending their family one customer at a time.visit websitecontact George Chiala Farms

Full Circle Farms

Full Circle Farm is an 11-acre sustainable, educational farm that puts fresh food in Santa Clara Unified School District cafeterias (where 45% qualify for free or reduced school lunch) while helping local youth experience success and develop job and life skills through growing, harvesting and marketing fruit & vegetable crops.

Programs being developed include a science and nutrition elective for 6-8th graders, a farm-based apprenticeship program for teenagers, a mentoring program where at-risk teens lead elementary youth in garden and nutrition workshops, and a variety of school field trip programs.

As a team, young people grow their own food, and develop critical life skills of communication, teamwork, leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving through practical, hands-on agricultural and entrepreneurial experiences.visit websitecontact Full Circle Farms

Twin Girls Farms

This farm gives us delicious oranges and mandarins!visit websitecontact Twin Girls Farms

Peguero Pistachios

Family owned and operated! The Peguero family has been producing pistachios on their farm for years, and have recently in 2011 decided to flavor and package their fresh pistachios for consumers.visit websitecontact Peguero Pistachios

Vendors

Conscious Creations

In our kitchen we only use Organic food grown in the local
farming communities of Watsonville, Salinas and others on the
central coast. We buy all of our food from farmers markets and
local grocery stores including; New Leaf and Staff of Life. All of
the meats are free range and organic fed, and seafood is from
the Monterey Bay, or other sustainable resources.

When menu planning I try to coordinate my menus and select
fruits and vegetables that are in season. Although fruits and
vegetables are organically grown in other countries and can be
shipped by plain or trucks, I select those that are in season so
that you can have the freshest food to eat and also feel good
knowing that you’re not wasting any resources.

You can find our products in this great store!
visit websitecontact Conscious Creations

Hunter Hill Vineyard & Winery

Located in an appellation known for world-class wines, this lovely property has been home to our family for over a hundred years. High in the Santa Cruz Mountains above Soquel, the vineyards enjoy sunny days, moderate nights and a long, cool growing season. Grapes ripen gently here and develop a depth of flavor that is distinctive to meticulous dry farming.

Hunter Hill wines are clean, fruity and finished. Through each step of the process, from hand pruning the grape clusters through delicate fermentation and graceful aging on American and French Oak, the wines of Hunter Hill are nurtured by an expert craftsman.

Our winemaker, Vann Slatter, follows a simple guiding principle: great wines are easy to make with well-loved, beautiful fruit. It is a philosophy that has brought a sophisticated audience and top-tier acclaim to Hunter Hill. Our 2002 Syrah beat out wines from 600 California wineries to receive the prestigious Golden Bear - a unanimous selection as California's Best Wine in 2005. Most recently, our 2006 Estate Pinot Noir and 2005 Estate Merlot were honored with Silver and Bronze medals at the 2008 SF Chronicle Wine Competition.

Visit the Hunter Hill tasting room and sample our remarkable Estate varietals. We invite you to stand at the redwood bar overlooking the forests of Nisene Marks, or take a seat by the fountain and enjoy a quiet view of the vineyards. You'll enjoy the experience.

The winery is open to visitors on Saturdays and Sundays 11AM - 4PM. Private tastings for groups can be arranged by appointment.

Salut!

You can find our products at this great venue!visit websitecontact Hunter Hill Vineyard & Winery

For All Living Things

Critter Friendly:
Observe any animal. How does it look when it is at peace with its world? What conditions existed when it felt at peace? How does it naturally live? What actions are natural? What aspects of "normal" life have changed for it in its current surroundings? Which of these aspects may we want to provide our family friend to keep it healthy and happy? For Other Living Things asks these questions and answers them creatively and compassionately. But there is more to this equation. Human caregivers have to live with this arrangement, and deserve consideration too, unless you don’t mind your pet rat tunneling through your walls.

People Friendly:
Hey! We have a life too. If we have 20 minutes, we'd rather be playing than cleaning. We'd rather smell something sweet than rank. We'd rather... well you get the picture. Ease of use is critical. If our critter is living well, but the environment is too difficult to maintain, well... it probably won't get maintained. For Other Living Things strives not to let that happen. Still, the responsibility of pet ownership doesn't end when the needs of you and your critter friends are met.

Earth Friendly:
As animal lovers, and animals ourselves, we have a responsibility to care for this world that supports us all. For Other Living Things strives to locate and provide products that work just as well or better than conventional products, but don't exploit our people, critters or planet. This is an area that will always be evolving. We welcome your comments, suggestions and ideas. Feel free to contact us.

You can find our products here!visit websitecontact For All Living Things

Country Gourmet

Country Gourmet in Sunnyvale opened in 1986. We are a family owned and operated restaurant known for our fresh, wholesome food and warm and inviting atmosphere. Country Gourmet is a modified self-service restaurant. Guests order at the registers upon entry and their food is brought out by the servers. In addition to our standard menus we have our daily specials listed on the blackboards near the registers. We cook with fresh product delivered daily. Our breakfast menu includes orange zested French toast, egg specialties and our popular buttermilk biscuits. The lunch and dinner menus feature two fresh soups daily, an array of salads and sandwiches, burgers and pizza. The entree specials range from wild salmon to Niman Ranch (free-range/no antibiotics or hormones) steak and meats. Choose from a variety of fine wines and beers to accompany your entree. "Healthy food and lots of it."
Good Neighbor Philosophy

Country Gourmet is a conscientious establishment, dedicated to high standards with a commitment to sustainability. We purchase local, wild, free-range and organic products when available. Because community is very important to us, Country Gourmet regularly donates to many charities and local schools.

You can find our products here!visit websitecontact Country Gourmet

Staff of Life

Staff of Life has grown from a small natural foods bakery into a major natural foods supermarket, and has become a Santa Cruz tradition.

Started in 1969 by Richard Josephson and Gary Bascou, Staff moved to its old location at 1305 Water St. in 1971. After an expansion in 1981, and numerous remodelings and renovations, Staff moved from the 16,000 square foot market to our NEW LOCATION at 1266 Soquel in February of 2011. Complete with our sushi bar, natural foods deli, natural meat & fish department, organic produce department, huge bulk foods department, supplement and health & beauty department, we have added coffee, juice, and smoothies at our Café and we now carry flowers courtesy of The Flower Shack.

We are very excited to announce that our new store has been officially certified by the City of Santa Cruz as a Green Building ! Be sure to follow the link on the home page to find out more about why our building is green.visit websitecontact Staff of Life

Farmer's Markets

Santa Clara Farmer's Market

Urban Village Farmers’ Market Association, a Non-profit Mutual Benefit Corporation, was formed March 1997 to provide the best possible opportunity for farmers, food vendors, and community members to preserve, enhance, and enjoy regional fresh quality foods. UVFM’s mission is to promote the family farm; help protect the local environment by sustaining and restoring surrounding greenbelt areas; and above all, to help build real community by fostering economic and social ties between producers and consumers.

We have enjoyed the role of bringing California’s agriculture and urban communities together for their mutual benefit, increased communication, and shared education. Our presence as a key educational medium for schools, environmental causes, and health and nutrition programs has been rewarding.

The Certified Farmers’ Markets have become important harmonious community meeting places, blending the various and diverse neighborhoods, which builds a strong sense of community. The Urban Village Farmers’ Markets have been instrumental in many cities successful efforts to revitalize economically and socially depressed downtown areas.

It is also gratifying to be instrumental in preserving the diversity of California agriculture by providing profitable marketing outlets for the small acreage growers of heirloom, culinary, ethnic, organic, and other specialty crops not widely grown on a large scale, or found at traditional food sources.visit websitecontact Santa Clara Farmer's Market

Artists

Samantha Buller

am an artist inspired by color, personality, and simplicity, among many other things. I enjoy figurative work, however I am absolutely thrilled about learning it all. Thanks to the help and support of my friends, family, and community, I was able to spend a summer studying in Italy, soaking in all I could about landscape painting. Please feel free to email me with any questions.

SamanthaBuller@gmail.comvisit websitecontact Samantha Buller

Andrew Simoni

I thrive through expression – this much I know and love to do. How to make a living at it? That’s what I’m trying to figure out…Hope you enjoy what you see. I feel honored to be here.visit websitecontact Andrew Simoni