Our customers know that the Produce Department is the foundation of our stores, which goes all the way back to our beginnings in 1988, when Oliver’s founder Steve Maass transitioned from working in the produce business for many years to operating his first grocery store. We are very proud to be named “Best Local Produce” in the Press Democrat’s “Best of Sonoma County” reader’s poll for the eighth time this year!

Unlike many stores who define “Local” as being a whole state or large radius around their stores, at Oliver’s “Local Means Sonoma County”. If you see a Local tag on any item in our stores, you are assured that the product was produced right here in Sonoma County.

It’s good to remember that the power of supporting local companies goes far beyond buying great locally made items: When you buy local products at a locally owned company, more of your dollars stay in your community, where they help employ your friends and family, support local safety, and maintain road and parks. Read our economic research report on this topic here.

The FEED Cooperative

As you can imagine, small farmers and growers have a challenging time marketing and delivering their produce, and they are typically too small to work with traditional produce wholesalers. Enter the FEED Cooperative, a Sonoma County based company specializing in small farms. By working together to build efficiencies with sales, marketing, and delivery, FEED makes it easier for Oliver’s and other accounts to access a much wider selection of locally grown items.

We are grateful for our partnership with the FEED Cooperative and all the amazing local farms they have introduced us to. Thanks to their efforts, we now carry produce from more small, local farms than ever before!

Here are a couple of FEED Cooperative member farms we are featuring this week:

• Local Organic Honeycrisp Apples, Grown by Devoto Gardens in Sebastopol, CA via FEED Cooperative, 25 % OFF
• Local Organic Early Girl and Roma Tomatoes, Grown by Windrift Farms in Petaluma, CA via FEED Cooperative, 25 % OFF

Of course, our Produce Department is full of produce from local farms in addition to these featured items. Watch for items and information from these outstanding farms represented through the FEED Cooperative:

Longer Table Farm: A small 10-acre farm growing Certified Organic vegetables and cut flowers in Santa Rosa. They strive to grow the highest quality produce by nurturing the soils and the entire farm ecosystem through regenerative farm practices.

>>This week, watch for Longer Table Farm Jalapeno, Poblano, Anaheim, and Serrano chiles; their Sweet Pepper Mix, and Little Gems.

Windrift Farm: Located just outside Petaluma, Windrift Farm is a CCOF – Certified Organic, year-round vegetable farm, specializing in retail ready, Heirloom Tomatoes.

>>This week, watch for Windrift Farm Heirloom Tomatoes and Mixed Cherry Tomatoes.

New Family Farm: Committed to growing the highest quality, certified organic produce. They combine an old-world ethic with new-world practices and innovations that aim to preserve our most precious resources: water, soil, air, and community. Rooted in the past, the present, and the future, New Family Farm aims to help Sonoma County to food self-sufficiency with practices that will sustain generations to come.

>>This week, watch for New Family Farm Dino Kale, Curly Kale, Cauliflower, and Flat Leaf Parsley.

We also plan to feature items from Gold Ridge Farm (Honeycrisp Apple, Fuji Apple, Heirloom Apple Blend), County Line Harvest (Carrots, Sweet 100s Cherry Tomatoes), Pelicanos Farm (Bell Peppers, Sun Gold Cherry Tomatoes, and Zucchini), Earth Seed Farm (Asian Pears), Russian River Organics (Delicata Winter Squash, Lemon Cucumbers, and Butternut Squash), and Suncatcher Farm (Early Girl Tomatoes, Masquerade Potatoes, Yellow Finn Potatoes, and Purple Vikings Potatoes), so watch for the signage in our Produce Department and get to know some of these local farmers.

Local Produce Culinary Inspiration

Our recipe team at Oliver’s has gathered some delicious ideas for experiencing Local Produce this week. How about a delicious Lil Gem Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette for starters? Or some Corn and Zucchini Fritters, Roasted Beet and Apple Salad, or Vegan, GF Buffalo Cauliflower Bites. You absolutely cannot go wrong with this recipe for Heirloom Tomatoes with Blue Cheese, Bacon and Basil – Wow!

And what says “summer” more than a Summer Plum Cobbler for dessert? Don’t forget the ice cream!

We invite you to enjoy the savings as you join us in supporting our local farmers and celebrating the bounty – and the deliciousness — of Sonoma County.