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User:Glane23/Drafts of Article/Capay Organics

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Capay Organics is an organic farm based in Capay Valley, California. It distributes its produce through Farm Fresh To You, a subscription Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) provider, and other direct-to-consumer means. It also promotes understanding of organic farm practices and the farm-to-table movement through hosting dinners at the farm through Outstanding in the Field and an annual Tomato Fest.

United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack (center) visits Farm Fresh To You distribution center, West Sacramento, California. Co-owners Thaddeus Barsotti (left), Freeman Barsotti (immediate right) and Noah Barnes (far right) appear with Mr. Vilsack.

History

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The farm originated as Capay Fruits & Vegetables in 1976 by Martin Barnes and Kathleen Barsotti, among the early pioneers of the organic food movement.[1][2] Barsotti continued developing the farm and expanding its production into the 1990s.[citation needed]

Inspired by University of California, Davis professor Isao Fujimoto, the farm began as a garden on rented land. Barnes and Barsotti helped to start the Davis Certified Farmers' Market[3] and the Davis Food Coop Storefront[4] before moving with their twin boys to 22 acres (89,000 m2) in Capay Valley in 1976.[2] In 1984, the farm became one of the earliest in Yolo County to have organic certification from the California Certified Organic Farmers.[5]

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the farmers market movement began to expand in California, creating outlets for organically grown produce. At the same, the California cuisine movement, as developed by restaurateurs such as Alice Waters of Chez Panisse in Berkeley, created a demand for locally sourced, organic vegetables. These developments expanded the market for produce grown by the farm.[1]: 142–143  The farm has continued to expand its offerings, hosting a dinner by Outstanding in the Field in June 2017.[6] And in July 2017, the farm continues a 10-year tradition by hosting its annual Tomato Fest, benefiting the Kathleen Barsotti Non-Profit for Sustainable Agriculture.[7]

Farm Fresh to You

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Farm Fresh to You typical CSA box contents

As the output of the farm increased, local sales were supplemented by sales to San Francisco Bay area farmers' markets and to wholesalers such as Veritable Vegetable and Greenleaf Produce. [citation needed] Barsotti founded the Farm Fresh to You subscription CSA in 1992.[1][2] Farm Fresh to You's CSA was introduced at the beginning of a trend credited as one means of preserving the family farm in California, with many farms located in Yolo County and in other California farming areas following suit.[8]

Barsotti died in 2000, leaving her sons to inherit the farm and CSA operation.[2] Thaddeus and Freeman Barsotti, who are along with Noah Barnes the current owners, expanded the farm operations, buying and renting land from neighbors, and establishing a retail store, Capay Organic, at the San Francisco Ferry Building.[9] Among innovations introduced by Farm Fresh to You has been flexibility in CSA box (produce order) selection.[2][1][10]

With 13,000 families subscribing, Farm Fresh to You is the largest CSA in the United States.[11] In 2010, Farm Fresh To You expanded delivery of CSA boxes into Southern California.[12]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Desmond A. Jolly; Isabella Kenfield (2008). California's New Green Revolution: Pioneers in Sustainable Agiculture. Davis, California, USA: Regents of the University of California Small Farm Program. pp. 139–150. ISBN 9780979995606. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e Jana Adkins (26 February 2012), "Deliveries fresh from the farm", The Santa Clarita Valley Sentinel, archived from the original on 6 August 2015, retrieved 12 July 2016
  3. ^ Ann M. Evans. "Story of the Davis Farmers Market" (PDF). Davis Farmers Market. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  4. ^ Chris Laning. "Looking Back". Davis Food Co-op. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  5. ^ CCOF. "Capay Organic (certification)". CCOF Certification Services, LLC. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  6. ^ "Outstanding in the Field - Dinner at Capay Organic". Outstanding in the Field. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  7. ^ "Capay Tomato Fest returns for 10th year", Davis Enterprise, 22 June 2017, retrieved 6 July 2017
  8. ^ Stephens, Michelle (2009). "Savior of the family farm?: the role of community supported agriculture for farm sustainability in California" (PDF). Diss.; University of Texas at Austin.
  9. ^ "Ferry Building Marketpace - Capay Organic Fruits & Vegetables". Equity Office. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  10. ^ Kim Kennedy White (2013). America Goes Green: An Encyclopedia of Eco-friendly Culture in the United States. ABC-CLIO. p. 359. ISBN 9781598846577. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  11. ^ Lamont Fedigan (2015). 21st Century Homestead: Organic Farming. Lulu.com. p. 65. ISBN 9781312937536. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  12. ^ David Karp (7 May 2010), "Market Watch: Capay Organic expands into Southern California", Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, archived from the original on 11 May 2010, retrieved 10 August 2016
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