Nothing beats farm-fresh, local produce

Peaches and nectarines and strawberries — oh my!

But while Dorothy and her friends in Oz were surrounded by a dark, scary forest, we in Yuba-Sutter are surrounded by fresh, tasty and healthy fruits and vegetables that are as close as the nearest farm stand.

From the farthest reaches of Oregon House to Meridian, and from District 10 to southern Sutter County, farmers have their crops laid out for sale.

Farm stands are an important part of this area, both for our health, for the economy and are an easy way to get the fruits and vegetables we need for a healthy diet.

"I think that more farm stands are needed because of the fuel costs. Local is very important; you're supporting the people who are growing your food," said Jenny Brown, who owns and runs Oregon House Farms.

Or, as Dan Correia, who owns Correia's Fruit Stand, said, "Every day we pick, so you know you're going to get fresh produce."

Even the U.S. Department of Agriculture, at www.mypyramid.gov, urges people to eat whole fruit. In its "Inside the Pyramid" section, at the link "Tips to help you eat fruits," it says: "Make most of your choices whole or cut-up fruit, rather than juice, for the benefits dietary fiber provides."

On a recent trip to sample local produce, I used the Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce's "Map of Yuba-Sutter Farm Stands" to find my way around.

My first stop was Oregon House Farms. I'm not sure I took the best route because after I put the Indiana School Road address in my GPS and let it lead the way, the correct street later turned into a one-lane dirt road. Then I had to ford a small stream before getting back on pavement. But when I got to the farm, it was worth the drive. You might want to call ahead for better directions.

Oregon House Farm isn't your usual farm stand with rows of fruits and vegetables. It's more of a general store selling local beef, eggs, honey, bread and crafts.

"It has grown into a place where all our local good and foods are offered for sale," Brown said.

Brown said she sells less-traditional cuts of High Sierra brand grass-fed beef, including boned shanks, liver, ox tail and tongue.

"They have the best beef around, and it's grass-fed. Her local produce is wonderful, and she has great crafts. It's like a one-stop shop for me," said customer Kim Hawthorne.

Traveling back down to the valley, I stopped at Chao's Strawberry Farm just west of Marysville where Foulinh Sechao was working.

This small stand had strawberries, onion, zucchinis, squash, cherry tomatoes and some of the biggest blackberries I've ever seen. Sechao said that everything is grown right there on the farm.

North of Marysville on Highway 70 are a number of farm stands. I wasn't able to visit them all, but I did stop at three of them.

The first one I visited was Bock's Fruit Stand located just south of Boyer Road.

Kellie Bock, the daughter of farmer Rodney Bock, said the stand has been in the family for 40 years and that everything they sell is locally grown except the watermelons.

"Peaches are our main thing. We have 30 different varieties of peaches, so we have peaches that go all the way through September. Our main goal is to have everything as sweet as possible. We pick all of our peaches daily, so we can provide our customers the sweetest fruit possible."

In addition to peaches, they also sell nectarines, plums, pluots, onions, tomatoes, lemon cucumbers, nuts, watermelon, corn, strawberries, blackberries, cherries and more.

"Because I grow fruit," Rodney said, explaining why he sells his crops directly to the public, "and because I like to sell tree-ripened fruit, something that tastes good."

Just down the highway is Sodaro Orchards, owned and operated by the Sodaro family for more than 50 years.

"We have 36 different varieties of peaches and nectarines," said Sara Baggett, granddaughter of the farmers who moved here in 1956.

Baggett explained that the varieties change during the season.

"Through the season, the fruits change quite a bit," Baggett said, explaining what is available. "When we start out in May, the peaches are a little bit smaller. They're not as soft and sweet and juicy. As the summer progresses, and as we get into July and August, the peaches get juicer and they get larger. The fruit really likes the hot weather to increase its sweetness.

"We have different varieties that ripen at different times of the month. We may have one variety for two weeks, and then we'll start picking another variety the next week."

She said that their most popular varieties are Red Havens, which ripen around the Fourth of July, O'Henrys and Alberta freestones.

My last stop on Highway 70 was David's Family Farm just outside Marysville. It specializes in kiwifruit.

Owner David Berry said that while he specializes in the nutritious fruit, that's not all he has available.

He said he also sells apricots, freestone peaches, Santa Rosa and Black Amber plums, several varieties of pluots, walnuts, cherries, watermelon, corn, Fuji apples, honey, olive oil and pears — the only item that isn't local.

During the off season, Berry sells kiwi fruit on the honor system. He said he leaves dollar-bags out and that the majority of the people take what they want and deposit their money.

Next I traveled west on Highway 20 to Correia's Fruit Stand.

"We'll have a steady supply of peaches from now through the end of August. Every day you come here, it'll be something different; we'll be going from one peach variety to another," Correia said. "Like today, we'll have the more old-fashioned, softer-flesh Red Haven; then it'll be a more modern, firm-flesh June Pride. Every week, you'll see something different."

He said he expects to have ambrosia cantaloupe and watermelon for sale in the near future.

Health professionals urge everyone to eat five servings of fruits or vegetables a day. I can't think of a more enjoyable way to enjoy a healthy diet than eating up the bounty that's all around us.

BUYING TIPS FOR FRESH PRODUCE

• Purchase produce that is not bruised or damaged.

• When selecting fresh-cut produce — such as half a watermelon or bagged mixed salad greens — choose only those items that are refrigerated or surrounded by ice.

• Bag fresh fruits and vegetables separately from meat, poultry and seafood products when packing them to take home from the market.

WHERE TO SHOP FOR LOCAL PRODUCE

• Bock's Fruit Stand, 10000 Highway 70. Open daily. Peaches, nectarines, plums, pluots, onions, tomatoes, lemon cucumbers, nuts, watermelon, corn, strawberries, blackberries, cherries

• Correia's Fruit Stand, 13197 Highway 20, Meridian. Open daily through August. Peaches, plums, nectarines, watermelon, cantaloupes, tomatoes. 696-2600

• David's Family Farm, 7801 Highway 70, Marysville. Open daily through September. Kiwi fruit, peaches, plums, pluots, walnuts and wide variety of other fruits and vegetables

• Fruit Place, 6205 Highway 99, Live Oak. Open daily. Peaches, nectarines, apricots, oranges and more. 695-1336

• Jim's Produce, 2636 Spenceville Road, Wheatland. Open Tuesday-Saturday to October. Tomatoes, melons, squash, cucumbers and more. 633-4490

• Naumes Inc., 3792 Feather River Blvd., Olivehurst. Open Monday-Saturday through November. Cherries, pears, persimmons and walnuts. 749-7100

• Saeturn Farm, Corner of N. Beale Road and Griffith Avenue, Linda. Open daily through September. Strawberries, blackberries, tomatoes, squash

• Salle Orchards, 3947 Wheatland Road, Wheatland, Open weekends through September. Tomatoes, walnuts, apples, other fruits and vegetables. 633-0805

• Sodaro Orchards, 9336 Highway 70, Marysville. Open daily through September. Peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums, tomatoes, watermelons, cantaloupes, corn and other vegetables. 743-7735

• Strawberries, Simpson Lane, west of the radio station, Marysville. Strawberries

• Tender Heart Farm, corner of Highway 99 and Sacramento Avenue, Yuba City. Peaches, plums, pumpkins, vegetables and walnuts. Reopens mid-August. 656-2669

Editor's note: This is only a partial list. Click here to download a PDF map of area produce stands.

Related Link: Click here to view a Google Map of Local Produce Stands.

Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter John Hollis at 741-2400 or jhollis@appeal-democrat.com.