A few weeks back, I had the opportunity to visit Tutti Frutti Farms, one of the local California growers who supplies organic heirloom tomatoes, peppers, and gourds to Von's stores. When Vons contacted me with an invitation to tour the farm, I was curious. I certainly didn't expect to find myself on a gorgeous farm nestled in the hills of Santa Ynez.
It's always been a bit of a mystery to me where my fruits and veggies come from before I see them all shiny and perfect in the store. I just sort of close my eyes and secretly hope that they aren't completely covered with pesticides or other nasty things.
I never my product was coming from a family run, and completely charming little organic farm right here in California. It was so refreshing to see tomatoes and bell peppers being grown organically, without any pesticides. The rows upon rows of bell peppers where the most impressive. The bell peppers smelled so spicy and pungent that we stopped to pick and eat them right off the vine!
After touring the fields, I taste testing a variety of heirloom tomatoes with the farmer's daughter (yes, she was as cute as you can imagine). Like any good taste tasting, we started with the most mild (least acidic) yellow tomatoes and worked our way up through orange, red, and dark purple "chocolate stripe" varieties with more acidic qualities. Of course I was dreaming up all the dishes I would make with each color! Red for pasta sauce & orange for capreze. Lucky for me, lunch was soon after.
We were prepared an amazing farm-to-table feast featuring all of the veggies from the farm and served outdoors with a view of tomato fields. Creamy squash soup, spicy heirloom tomato juice that only lacked vodka, caprese salad, panzanella, sautéed kale, eggplant towers, and kabocha squash pie for dessert. (just to name a few of the many dishes!)
It really was an incredible day. I am so happy to know that I'm supporting local growers when I shop at Von's stores. And I'm not just saying that! This post wasn't sponsored by Von's...it was just inspired by them and by my day on the farm!
photos by Joanne Pio
kelsey says
ooh, this looks so cool! love the pretty fruit photos
Anne says
And you are just as cute as a button! Enjoy your blog and photos!!
Freutcake says
Thank you so much Anne! I am so happy to have you as a reader. 🙂
jacquelyn | lark&linen says
Ok so I've been to strawberry fields and apple farms but it never occurred to me to visit a tomato one! New thing added to my bucket list thankyouverymuch
Freutcake says
AND a strawberry farm is added to mine! I am dying to pick strawberries.
Anouska says
That looks amazing!
Freutcake says
Thanks Anouska! After visiting the farm I absolutely love seeing the Tutti Frutti vegetables in my store. I know exactly where they came from!
Marisa says
mmmmm you're making me hungry!!!
Freutcake says
I need to make you one of these!
Ana says
One of the good thing living in California is that you are always able to visit some farms. Love that they are so open to the public. This way we learn more about farming and appropriate more good quality. 🙂
Freutcake says
You are so right Ana! It is really cool to have local farms accessible. Nothing beats a fresh veggie right off the vine.
Mandy Braj says
I love this! Those tomatoes are amazing and beautiful in color and shape. I live in Dallas but I have got to look into our local farms! 🙂 I do buy our raw milk on an adoarble local farm because in Texas it is illegal to carry raw milk in the stores. 🙁
Thanks for sharing!! Beautiful pictures!!
Freutcake says
Buying raw milk from a local farm sounds amazing! I'm sure it doesn't get any tastier than that. Have you ever made ice cream with it?
Tammy says
This looks like such a lovely day! And there really is nothing better than a fresh tomato directly from the field. It's making me hungry!