Full Belly Farm's annual Hoes Down Festival 2007
Established 1985
Owners
Andrew Brait, Paul Muller, Judith Redmond, and Dru Rivers
Seasons
They pick and pack fruit and vegetables year-round
Practices
Full Belly’s system includes: growing and marketing over 80 different crops; providing year-round employment for farm labor; using cover crops that fix nitrogen and provide organic matter for the soil; developing innovative marketing strategies; and planting habitat areas for beneficial insects and wildlife. This set of strategies allows the farm to integrate farm production with longer-term environmental goals.
Full Belly is also home to many outreach activities, including educational tours, school group visits, and the much-acclaimed annual Hoes Down Harvest Festival (pictured above). The Hoes Down Festival celebrates rural life and educates the public about growing food in a sustainable manner. Through such programs, Full Belly seeks to create awareness of farm realities and to stress the importance of farms in the fabric of our society.
Chef Canales says Full Belly was the first farm to provide Oliveto with Rosa Bianca eggplant. “They also supply us with superior whole wheat that is used to give our pasta a unique texture and nuttiness. They are very involved in the larger issues around food policy and practices and set an admirable example for other farms.”
Community Supported Agriculture Programs
Operates a Community Supported Agricultural project that forges a direct connection between the farm and the people who buy and eat its produce. By belonging to the CSA, members support organic farming practices that are healthful for people and the environment. Members receive boxes of fresh produce delivered to convenient neighborhood locations in the East Bay, San Rafael, and the South Bay, as well as in Sacramento, Davis, Woodland, and Esparto. Learn more here.
Length of relationship with Oliveto
Since 1994
Location
250 acres in Guinda, part of the Capay Valley
Crops
Vegetables, stone fruit, walnuts, herbs, flowers
Organizations / Certification
CCOF since 1985
Distribution
Majority is distributed within a 120 mile radius to restaurants, stores, farmers’ markets, and through their CSA
Farmers’ markets
Berkeley Derby Street – Tuesdays
Palo Alto – Saturday
San Rafael – Thursday
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