THIS WEEK’S FRUIT

O’Henry Peaches Farmer Al’s favorite peach to grill, the O’Henry has the flavor, size, and crimson blush that makes for a truly memorable peach. It’s elegantly pointed shape slices to an attractive heart shape for striking presentation. Flavor King Pluots The best pluot variety we grow! A dark-skinned pluot with red flesh, it has an intense rich flavor combined with sweet, spicy tones that are reminiscent of the Santa Rosa. A nice acid bite and firm texture that softens beautifully as the fruit continues to ripen, the Flavor King is amazing out of hand and equally good for baking. Dapple Dandy Pluots Playfully called the “dinosaur egg” pluot, the Dapple Dandy has marbled pink and green skin over delicate white flesh threaded with rose. Kids especially love this pluot for its distinctive coloration and the lack of tartness in the skin. Fantasia Nectarine Quickly becoming one of our best-known and most popular varieties, the Fantasia is a large, tapered heirloom variety. It’s deep golden flesh is amazingly sweet and smooth, and its marbled bright red skin makes for exceptionally beautiful presentation. Like many of our more unique and heirloom varieties, the Fantasia is a far more fragile fruit than most farms will even consider growing. Like the Suncrest peach that often ripens at the same time, the Fantasia is easily bruised when allowed to ripen properly on the branch, but we’re sure you’ll agree that the taste is well worth the risk.

A Note From Farmer Al

Partnerships

In the business world they are called consultants, but to us they are really our partners…Members of our own FHF community. They are experts in their fields, (and in our fields!); they are business owners (like Robert Woolley); they are professors, media personalities, food writers, etc. Over the years they have become our friends. Here’s a list of some, and what they do: Robert Woolley – Nurseryman (see Farm Focus this week) Christophe Kreis – Molecular Biologist, Compost Meister Monique Kreis – Microbiologist, Vermiculturist Dr. Gordon Franke – Professor of Entomology UC Berkeley, Native Bee Expert, Inspirational Teacher of UC Berkley students on sustainability Greg Young- Entomologist, Agronomist, pest control advisor, our field expert for all things of the soil and of insects good and bad Narsai David – Chef Extraordinaire, Restaurateur, Food Critic, Radio Personality, all around Curmudgeon John Rowley – Fisherman, Food Visionary, Poet, Dreamer, Peach Fanatic David Karp – “Fruit Detective”. No one knows more about fruit varieties, their special qualities, juices, and especially their histories, than David Khyber Courchesne – Architect. My nephew, who designs beauty into practicality and sustainability There are many more partners who are important to us. Over the next few months we will highlight each of our partners and their work in the Farm Focus. So, stay tuned. Organically yours,