Why We're in Love: Part 2, Foodie Heaven

I love food! As someone who enjoys cooking with high quality ingredients, I strive to buy our food from local sources. After doing some digging around, it's safe to conclude that Nevada City rocks! While there are too many options to list (see here for some Nevada County Grown) there's few that have already captured my interest.

CSA's- Part of the appeal of a CSA is the challenge to try new recipes. It’s fun watching your food change with the seasons and fully experience what’s growing throughout the year. 

Grass Valley Grains is a one man operation who grows varieties of wheat, rye, oats, barley, corn, beans, teff, amaranth, millet, and other grains. A surprise offering of grains are dropped monthly at the Outside Inn. Yummy! 

Nevada County Free Range Beef offers beef shares. The cows are pasture raised and happily roam on hundreds of acres. Using all this land to raise cows prevents it from becoming the next shopping center or track home neighborhood. Ethical farmers really do a great job of keeping our land preserved and healthy for the future.

The Nevada City Farmers Market (Saturdays, June-November) is a weekly community gathering with amazing seasonal produce, grains, local dairy, flowers, live entertainment and more. I think this quote from their website really sums it up. “Come, feel the energy and live the goodness!” It’s nearly impossible to go and not have a great time.

There are some really amazing grass roots efforts going on in Nevada City. Another example is the food swap where participants bring in homemade or self harvested food and swap with others. How thrilling it would be to come with an abundance of one item and leave with arm load of new culinary delights.

And...If all else fails, there is a really nice Coop, BriarPatch. The store prides itself on selling local food and other sustainable options. They carry over 400 products from over 100 regional vendors! There is an outstanding selection of dairy, meat, and produce. If you enjoy drinking beer and wine it's hard to leave empty handed.

Nevada City, here I come!