King Andrews Vineyard
Lester Farms
Nut-N-Other
Soul Food Farm
Vezer Family Vineyard
Suisun Valley Wine Cooperative
California Vegetable Specialties
Clay Ford Pleasants Valley Honey Co.
Everything Under the Sun
Four Winds Growers
Free Spirit Farm
Il Fiorello
~ Solano Food Happenings ~
Get to Know Your Local Farmer - Vacaville Farm Tour
Sunday, June 3, from 10 AM - 4:30 PM
Slow Food Solano invites you to get to know your local farmer by taking a self-guided farm tour in the spectacular setting of the Pleasants Valley while supporting the Solano school gardens grant program. Tour, taste, picnic, and shop at these farms on the outskirts of Vacaville that provide a wide array of fruit, vegetables, eggs, olive oil, honey and grape vines...more
Healthful Local Foods Highlighted on Feb. 29 
at Solano Bounty for the Heart
More than a dozen Solano County growers joined NorthBay Heart and Vascular Center and Slow Food Solano on Leap Day to present creative ways to boost heart health with local winter bounty. Held at the NorthBay Administration Center in Green Valley, “Solano Bounty for the Heart” featured locally grown ingredients prepared to enhance their health benefits and taste.
Deliciously fresh and seasonal foods took center stage as award-winning cookbook author and cooking instructor Marie Simmons demonstrated the preparation of a kale salad and apple walnut salad rich with local olive oils, honey, citrus and nuts. With a firm belief in the benefits of "eating local," NorthBay Healthcare Endocrinologist Deborah Murray, MD, shared tips and discussed the medical perspective explaining health benefits of these locally grown products.
Guests enjoyed samples from local farmers, olive oil producers and wine growers plus a healthful selection of dishes created by Chef Daniel Bell. Proceeds from the event will support Slow Food Solano’s grant program to help fund school garden projects.
Slow Food Solano extends a heartfelt THANK YOU to NorthBay Healthcare for hosting and coordinating many details of this enlightening event, as well as to our participating growers and producers:
Help Spread Solano County Bounty to Those in Need
If you're burdened by an abundance of produce, let the Pipelines help you share the wealth! 'Tis the season for pears, persimmons, pumpkins, nuts and so much more. The Vaca Produce Pipeline and Fairfield Suisun Produce Pipeline help distribute excess fruit, vegetables and nuts to those in need. If you produce more than you can use, volunteers will happily help you collect the surplus and distribute to local programs such as Mission Solano, Heather House, and other shelters and food distribution programs.
During Farmers Market season, the groups collect donations Saturdays at the Vacaville Farmers Market and Thursday evenings at the Fairfield Market. The generous farmers donate their surplus fruits and vegetables or produce at the end of the market day. Volunteers gather it up and deliver it to local food banks and meal providers. But during fall and winter, clients look forward to the citrus, persimmons, and other fruits and nuts from residents' backyards and ranches to help balance nutrition needs and brighten up the short, stormy days.
If you have vegetable gardens or fruit trees in need of harvesting or are interested in volunteering, please call Fern Henry (Vacaville) at (707) 448-4792 or Karyl Hendrick (Fairfield-Suisun) at (707) 399-7080. Please consider offering your support. For more about these organizations and to learn more about what you can do to help, visit vacaproducepipeline.blogspot.com, or fsproducepipeline.blogspot.com.
THANK YOU to all who contributed to the Artisan Butchery event!
Our recent Artisan Butchery event could not have happened without the help of many – beginning with Superior Farms in Dixon. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the team at Superior Farms for their role in this important fundraiser for Farmer Veterans Coalition and Slow Food Solano’s school gardens project.
The highlight of Artisan Butchery, once again, was an excellent butcher demonstration using a side of Agricola Grassfed Beef, by Dave Budworth, Chris Arentz, Angela Wilson and Melanie Eisemann from Avedano’s Meats, Zack Gero Of Shoppers’ Corner, and Johs Kleinsmith of Piedmont Market. What a crowd pleaser and educational experience, thanks to Dave’s thoughtful presentation.
Meanwhile, chefs JW Forster of The Fairmont, Tia Harrison of Sociale and Paul Schroeder of Montis created fabulous culinary delights using the other half from the same beef. It doesn’t get any better. Many Thanks to them all!
Created by Alexis Koefoed and hosted in the ambiance of beautiful Soul Food Farm of Vacaville, the Artisan Butchery event raised funds for Farmer Veterans Coalition, Slow Food Solano school gardens, and Gleason Ranch in an innovative celebration of local farmers. Many Thanks, Alexis!!
~ Slow Food News ~
Pleasants Valley Farms Trail Map Now Available
Incredible resources for fresh, organic and tasty foods are readily accessible just off Highway 80 near Vacaville. Download the new brochure that maps out some of these not-to-be-missed foodie havens!
Teacher resources are available
Does your school need help starting or maintaining a garden? Visit our School Gardens page for a list of local resources. Do you have resources or time to contribute? Please contact us.
Member News
Slow Food Memberships Start at $25
If you want to support your local Slow Food chapter as well as the national movement, the best way to begin is with a Slow Food Membership. Previously starting at $60 annually, Slow Food USA recently rolled out a special membership dues structure to make joining more affordable. This is also good for Slow Food Members whose membership has lapsed or will lapse shortly. You can now join Slow Food with a donation of $25 or more. Members who join or renew at $60 or more get special offers by email, such as discounts from Analon Cookware. Click here to Join.