What we’re about
For 13 years, we have toured farms and food events in Santa Barbara County. Beginning in 2024 we will cook and enjoy food, garden, volunteer and continue farm tours and more in SB and possibly other communities to learn more about our food system. We are collaborate with Slow Food International www.slowfood.com
Each month we meet at various locations to learn the secrets of Local cuisine from the people who produce, market and prepare our food. We visit farms, markets, restaurants, culinary stores, wineries, the marina and many more. Our goal is to bridge the gap between taste, health and agroecology. I am a long time foodie and dietitian who teaches nutrition at Westmont college and to chefs at SBCC and with the School of Extended Learning. Feel free to email me to share your thoughts and ideas.
** Recently I have started to post food and farm events by other organizations, mostly non-profits. It has crowded our calendar and may be confusing. I promote events that meet our goal of education and fun. I do not always attend these events although I wish I could.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Natural Coast Wine Fest with Eco-friendly wines Saturday April 20The Factory, Santa Barbara, CA
I am promoting this event; please read the entire post and order your tickets from the link, if interested. For those of us who enjoy wine, knowing where your wine comes from and how is is produced makes sense if you are interested in your health and our environment. From their website: "The Natural Coast showcases and celebrates the wineries and winegrowers promoting environmentally beneficial viticulture, low impact winemaking, and socially conscientious business practices throughout California’s Central Coast. These producers make wine in a natural way, honoring the earth and forging a better path forward in the wine industry. Better vineyards, better wines, better Earth". To purchase tickets and leaern more, go to: https://www.naturalcoastwinefest.com/collections/tickets
In addition to grapes needing to come from the central coast, requirements are:
- All wine must be farmed organically as a minimum. Whether certified or not, vineyards must be farmed without synthetic pesticides. Certification from CCOF, Demeter Biodynamic, etc. welcome and appreciated. Just farming *sustainable* is not enough
- All wines must be fermented natively - whether spontaneously or using a pied-de-cuve. Sparkling wines may be accepted when fermented with non-native yeast if noted in technical information
- No sterile filtration, no fining
- Absolutely no additives except for SO2 with a maximum total SO2 below 70 ppm, regardless of wine style
I'll be taking the bus in from Summerland and recommend public transportation or designated drivers, etc. Feel free to send me an email or text/call me if you want to meetup: gerrifrench17@gmail.com (805)705-8248
- Talk and Cookbook by World Central Kitchen founder, Chef Jose AndresThe Arlington Theatre (Metropolitan Theatres), Santa Barbara, CA
Chef and Humanitarian José Andrés has dedicated himself to feeding not just the few – at his award-winning restaurants – but the many as well. Alongside his non-profit organization World Central Kitchen and his hospitality and food media enterprise José Andrés Group, Andrés finds innovative solutions that use the power of food to inspire change and empower communities. Andrés is a proud Spanish-American citizen who embraces the responsibilities of a culinary ambassador and immigrant building bridges between cultures. His latest cookbooks include Zaytinya: Delicious Mediterranean Dishes from Greece, Turkey, and Lebanon and The World Central Kitchen Cookbook: Feeding Humanity, Feeding Hope. A visionary and a humanitarian, Andrés will appear in conversation with KLITE’s Catherine Remak, career broadcaster and recipient of the 2020 Santa Barbara Person of the Year Award.
To purchase tickets and learn more, use this link
I am so disappointed that I can not attend; I have 2 tickets in row F for sale; feel free to call me at (805)705-8248 - Mushroom Farm Tour in Paso Robles Sunday May 5!!608 Caballo Pl, Paso Robles, CA$25.00
Chris Battle, the owner of Mighty Cap Mushrooms will take us on a journey that will change your mind about the wonderful world of fungi forever. He will share the story of how it all began to where it has brought them today. He will explain the complexities of being a mushroom farmer and what it takes to sustain a thriving small mushroom business. You will also get to see the full growth process of a mushroom from inoculation to fruiting. Cost of the 45-60 minute tour is $25.00 ($20.00 for Chris and the rest for Meetup expenses) and will include information about:
* Substrate procurement
* Pasteurization; sterilizing
* Lab overview; inoculation
* Incubation rooms
* Compost Recycling and Footprint
Light jacket recommended.
You will be able to purchase dried mushrooms and growing kits at a discounted price for tour attendees.
Some of us are spending the night. Please feel free to make it a day trip and car pool or it can be a wonderful getaway. Feel free to contact me at Meetup or gerrifrench17@gmail.com or (805)705-8248 if you prefer paying with Venmo or Zelle or for any other questions.
For additional information, go to
https://mightycapmushrooms.com/ - Stepladder Goat Farm and Cheese Tasting in Cambria - need 6 peopleNeeds location
Join me for a fun and educational tour of a historic cattle and goat farm followed by cheese tasting. We will meet their 40+ special goats and learn about Stepladder's cheese making practices. Monday is not a typical day for farm tours but they will give us a special tour with 5 people counting myself. Cost is $65.00 which will be required in advance. Please only rsvp if you are interested and able to attend. I can understand Monday does not work for everyone. For information about their farm, go to this link
I will provide the link to register when we have our group of 6.
