McFadden Ranch Certified Organic San Diego County Producer
McFadden Ranch is a certified organic producer for San Diego County farmers markets and we support attendance at these wonderful outlets. We are frequently asked why we are not featured at the markets closest to us in Lakeside and Santee. Unfortunately only one vendor with jam and jelly products is allowed to attend the markets. We were not the first vendor to make application for the spot so even though we grow our produce and make our products here we are not allowed to sell our products at our closest markets. We would like very much to serve our local community in this manner, we just aren't able to according to the market manager criteria.
However, we can now be found at the Julian Certified Farmers Market the first Sunday of each month (see our Events page) and you can now find a line of our gift products at:
Here we are featuring our $9.50 gift bags which include:
Gingham gift bag
Gingham tissue
Gift tag
One 8-ounce jar of either our Mountain Mulberry Chutney, Boysenberry Jam, Coastal Sweet Relish (see our recipe on our website), Anna Apple Pie Jam, or others.
Please stop in and tell Al Lewis hello. He'll help you with any questions you may have.
Farmer's Markets
Why buy your goods at a local farmer's market? Here are some reasons from the San Diego County Farm Bureau that can be applied to any state or local area:
Local Produce is Fresher ~ Local produce is picked and eaten at the height of ripeness and was probably picked within the past day or two. Local farmers can also offer produce varieties bred for taste and freshness rather than for shipping and long shelf life.
Local Food Supports Local Farmers ~ Family farms are part of the American tradition of self-sufficiency and serve as the basis of local communities. With each local food purchase more of your money spent on food goes directly to the farmer. Local farmers spend their money with local merchants and the money stays in your community.
Buying Local Protects the Environment ~ When you buy food locally you reduce energy consumption. Local food doesn't have to travel far. Food, on average, travels 1500-2500 miles from farm to table. Buying local helps to lower energy consumption by reducing transportation and storage, both of which are very energy-intensive and pollute our air and water.
Buying Local Preserves Diversity ~ Certified Farmers' Markets are instrumental in preserving the diversity of California agriculture by providing marketing outlets for the small acreage growers of heirloom, culinary, ethnic, and specialty crops not widely grown on a large scale or found at traditional food sources.
San Diego County Information
Whether you are a life long resident, a transplant or a visitor to San Diego County, there is likely a farmer's market where you are. According to the San Diego County Farm Bureau:
"More than 6,000 farmers work to make agriculture a one and one-half billion dollar industry in San Diego County. Many of our county's growers operate small family farms, with 65% harvesting nine acres or less. They have developed a reputation for quality, high-value specialty crops."
To find out where San Diego County farmer's markets are located, what days they are there, and the hours they are open, you can visit the San Diego County Farm Bureau Farmer's Market page at:
