Pasture-Based Cattle

September 7, 2009

The idyllic vision we may have of cows grazing on open fields under blue skies is not a very realistic picture of cattle production today.

Bagging Plastic Bags

April 3, 2009

Starting Saturday, May 23, 2009, Ferry Plaza vendors will only dispense bags that are fully compostable or recyclable. That’s right, no more fossil fuel-derived, landfill-clogging plastic bags. Plan ahead and BYOB!

Getting to Know Your Foodshed

September 19, 2008

Within a 100 miles of San Francisco, enough food is produced to feed every Bay Area resident more than three times over. Ironically, a great deal of that food gets shipped elsewhere.

Livestock Diversity

October 26, 2007

Focus on a select few breeds of animals and crops in industrial agriculture has led to disease vulnerability, superbacteria, and animals without the ability to adapt to different climates.

Bay Area Rooted Foods

March 23, 2007

The Bay Area’s diverse cornucopia of yields a profusion of fresh foods year-round. This week, a look at the edibles that hold a special place in our region’s history, culture, and cuisine.

Spinach: Healthful or Harmful?

February 23, 2007

After receiving flak for 2006’s E. coli outbreak, spinach became a scapegoat for food contamination. Here’s some background on this healthy, versatile green, and its connection to the nasty bacteria.

Cruciferous Crops

December 1, 2006

Lucky for us, one of the most cold-tolerant plant families encompasses more vegetables than any other.

Artisanal Defined

October 6, 2006

As consumers become more educated about what they eat and more concerned about its origin, artisanal food is gaining popularity.

California Farming Regions: North Coast and Mountains

December 9, 2005

To the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market from Marin, Sonoma, Mendocino, Siskiyou and Butte counties come cheeses, meats, vegetables, apples, late stone fruits, and blueberries.

California Farming Regions: The Great Central Valley

November 18, 2005

The Central Valley is one of the most productive regions on Earth, and its inhabitants have long been sustained by its bounty.

California Farming Regions: The Central Coast and Southern California

October 28, 2005

California’s agriculture is the most productive and varied in the U.S., owing to the climate, topography, complex systems of water delivery, and diverse population of growers and consumers in this state.