Whenever I’m in San Francisco, a stop at the Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market is a must. During the growing season, you’ll always find incredible produce there. Some of the best comes from Frog Hollow Farm, all 120 acres of it.
This operation is justly famous for the many varieties of peaches they grow (over 20 different kinds!), but they offer a number of other kinds of fruits, as well: apricots, cherries, nectarines, plums, pluots, and pears. All of the fruit grown is certified organic, and yes, they do ship! The fresh fruits are only available seasonally, but they dry some of their good fruit, so you can have a little taste of summer sun during the cold months. After many years of being present at the Ferry Building only on Farmers’ Market days, Frog Hollow Farm now has an indoor shop there, and it’s open every day of the week.
Apricots & Cherries.
Plums & Nectarines.
Asian & Warren pears.
Even the most diehard lovers of peaches and plums recognize that one cannot live by fruit alone. Frog Hollow Farm understands that, and their kitchen creates products (many fruit-based) for snacks and even meals (who says you can’t have a fruit turnover or two for dinner?). Their shop at the Ferry Building sells these items, but they will ship some, including those turnovers (in Cherry or Apple), granola, scones, crostadas (similar to pies), and especially fruit preserves.
Cherry and Apple Turnovers & Mixed Fruit Galette.
Peach Crostada & Apple Tartlettes.
I haven’t tried their baked goods or granola, but I can wax poetic about some of the organic Spreadable Fruits, as they’re termed, especially the Apricot Conserve. This vividly-colored fruit spread (so called because it contains much less sugar than would be required to call it “jam”) contains large chunks of apricots but is still spreadable. It’s not too sweet, and you get a beautiful, true taste of apricots in every bite. If you’d prefer another fruit or type of spread, you are still in luck. Nectarine, Cherry, or Meyer Lemon; conserves, marmalades, or chutneys; gift sets or just jars by themselves — it’s all here. They even have organic extra virgin olive oil.
Fruit topping, granola and fresh pears make a fine parfait.
Owner/farmer Al Courchesne. Photo by lorelei, Creative Commons.
Owners Becky and Al Courchesne and Sarah Coddington are deeply committed to sustainable, organic farming and the idea of reconnecting people with the food they eat. Frog Hollow farm has hosted a Outstanding in the Field dinner party, a traveling series of events where chef Jim Denevan cooks up a multi-course locavore feast, served family-style to diners seated at very long tables. We don’t think Denevan’s team had any trouble coming up with a dessert recipe.
Online ordering is available if you happen to live outside the Bay Area.
Top photo by geekstinkbreath, Creative Commons.
