It all happened over the last few days, spring just suddenly appeared after some much needed rain. We’ve been busy visiting our farmers & had a chance to survey what’s currently sprouting at Catalan Farm this past Monday. David Byron, one of our kitchen interns got a tour from Maria Catalan herself.
Warren Weber
Warren Weber moved out from Berkeley in the early seventies, after receiving his PhD. The job market was bad, so he thought he would try farming. They learned by doing it.
Chef Canales says Star Route Farms is “by far, ahead of everyone in terms of lettuces, frisée, and leafy salad greens. They grow the way we cook.”
In the late 90s, the organic food industry became national and global. Market conditions changed. The farm had to downsize, and change things up in response.
There are the ongoing challenges: weeds, pests, water, regulatory issues, etc.
Warren truly enjoys farming. He says it is a natural and basic occupation. He gets satisfaction finding the correct balance between production and nature. That’s what organic farming is all about. He is grateful to be working in the Bay Area, where many people appreciate the importance of finding that balance.
They try to be attentive to what people really want.
They have been farming organically for a long time.
They have good employees and good customers.
Hopefully, the product speaks for itself.
22 years
40 acres in Bolinas and 20 acres in Coachella
Leafy greens. Seasonal crops: cucumbers, beets, squash, spring onions, garlic, leeks, cippolini, carrots, lettuce, chicories, herbs, artichokes, beans, broccoli, broccoli rabe, brussel sprouts, fennel, peas, turnips
Star Route Farms is the oldest continuously certified organic grower in California, and Weber, has long been active in the organic industry as a past president of California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), co-founder of the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF), president of Marin Organic, and past vice-president of Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT). The farm is presently certified by Marin Organic Certified Agriculture.
Many restaurants
San Francisco Ferry Building – Saturdays
Marin Civic Center – Thursdays and Sundays
Website