Fresh from the farm just makes it better
Concord and Clayton Farmers Markets celebrate National Farmers Market Week for the entire month.
By shopping at a local certified farmers market, customers strengthen the regional economy, preserve open areas and landscapes, support family farms and provide fresh produce for a healthy family.
Certified farmers markets assure that their products come directly from the farmers who grew, nurtured and harvested the crops. Certification means that the state has inspected and regulated the farms.
It’s important to know where your food comes from and that it is locally grown. Plus, farmers market customers can actually speak to the farmers who grew the fruits and vegetables, baked the bread or gathered the achoney.
Dwelley Family Farms is among the local farms at the Tuesday market in Concord. Stroll by their booth this month to find mounds of their famous Brentwood Diamond sweet corn, gorgeous cherry and heirloom tomatoes and myriad fresh beans. They have Blue Lake beans, baby French green beans, yellow wax beans, cranberry beans, Romano beans and more.
Local restaurants showcase their high-quality Brentwood Diamond corn, which has been shown to have a higher sugar content than other corn. Farmers market customers can find it through September.
Mark Dwelley and his family are working on their 5th generation of future farmers on the 800 acres they’ve farmed since 1921. During the growing season, the Brentwood area is characterized by hot days and cool nights, which result in excellent growing conditions for a variety of fruits and vegetables. They offer both organic and conventionally grown produce.
The Dwelleys are committed to sustainable farming practices. That means protecting the environment and improving soil fertility, using resources in a way that will improve human health in the long run. Maybe that’s why their premium produce tastes so good.
Mark emphasizes that purchasing produce directly from local farms ensures longer product shelf life and better quality and freshness.
They enjoy participating in several Bay Area farmers markets and also operate a roadside stand in Oakley filled with fresh fruits, vegetables and homemade pies.
Farming has never been just an occupation for the Dwelley family; it is a way of life. Their hard work and unstoppable joy shows in their produce.
Stop by and pick up some of the best corn you’ll ever taste. Gather up a few pounds of crisp beans and juicy tomatoes, and you’ll be ready for summer’s good eating.
The Concord Farmers Market is in Todos Santos Plaza Tues. & Thurs. Clayton Farmers Market is Saturdays. Visit PCFMA.org for more information.
