My Wife and I try to buy local organic foodstuffs whenever possible, since Ensenada will be the nearest bigger urban area to where we are living I
wonder if anyone knows places to buy organic bulk dry goods like pinto beans, rice, fair trade sugar and coffee, etc. I know we could get all this in
Ocean beach S.D. at the Peoples food Co-op, but it would be nice to support Mexican stores instead.
Also I suspect much of what is grown fruit and vegetable wise is probably pretty much like uncertifed organic anyway (except for the big
argo-business places like San Quintin) since Mexican farmers can't afford so-called modern inputs like pesticides and mineral fertilizers. Anyone have
any first hand knowledge about this observation?
cheers
MikeDENNIS - 10-5-2007 at 11:54 AM
I think that if there was any organic produce available in this area, it would have to be brought from the states.Cap - 10-5-2007 at 12:35 PM
B.Y.O.O?
You could start a gardenGypsy Jan - 10-5-2007 at 12:57 PM
I have heard that there are organic farmers in the Guadalupe Valle.
Ignacio del Rio of La Fonda del Rio in La Mision and his new restaurant in San Antonio de las Minas (I lost the card and can't remember the name of
his new place) has a ranch in La Mision and he is working on producing organic meat and vegetables.
Laja Restaurant is a world class gourmet destination in the Guadalupe Valle and that grows their own organic products on the grounds and what they
don't do themselves they buy from local producers.
Adobe Guadalupe Winery and Inn serves gourmet meals and grows much of it own produce, as well. The owners are friendly and knowledgeable about the
area.
Also, I have read that there is an organic winery in the Guadalupe Valle, in the canyon south of La Cetto.
Another possibility is to go to the weekly street market on Calle Novena and ask around.
I think that with a little local detective work you will find what you want and much, much more, the area is a rapidly growing gourmet destination.
Best of luck and please, post on what you discover!
[Edited on 10-6-2007 by Gypsy Jan]windgrrl - 10-5-2007 at 04:15 PM
There are organic producers in Mexico (we get some produce from there up here in Canada from time to time).
In Los Barriles, there was an organic locally grown produce market on Mondays at Caleb's Cafe. Also, there was an organic farm run by American nearby,
but I understand last year's hurricane severely affected the operation. I've seen local ex-pats also growing organically. So there may be others - I'd
keep trying. As a vegetarian, I have found Mexican establishments are far more able to accomodate my requests better than back home because they tend
to use fresh ingredients!
Of course, the definition and standards re: organic have yet to be standardized!
Good luck with your search!toneart - 10-5-2007 at 04:22 PM
In the campos behind Mulege. But that doesn't help you in the North.DENNIS - 10-5-2007 at 04:40 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by windgrrl
There are organic producers in Mexico (we get some produce from there up here in Canada from time to time).
Probably so but, those farming efforts are usually meant for export. Good produce from Baja usually travels more than most of us. Grown here,
shipped to the states, brought back home by Costco and WalMart. It's a well-traveled watermelon.
[Edited on 10-5-2007 by DENNIS]
San Jose Mercado Organico
bajajudy - 10-5-2007 at 07:02 PM
How perfect that this topic came up today.
We just finished a meeting here with the vendors from the San Jose del Cabo Mercado Organico. The market will be at the Jockey Club every Saturday
from 9-1 starting Nov 3.
Not only will there be organic produce but also handmade crafts, prepared foods, and lets see what am I forgetting.........oh yea, Books!
Organic farming is a big business here. You may see the cherry tomatoes packaged in plastic boxes in your local markets...dont know about Ensenada.BAJABAILADOR - 10-5-2007 at 07:16 PM
Astro,
Did you get Rancho Concepcion ?windgrrl - 10-5-2007 at 07:24 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by bajajudy
You may see the cherry tomatoes packaged in plastic boxes in your local markets...dont know about Ensenada.
Yup - that's the ones we see! tasty little orbs they be.
Just finished making a cooked green tomato salsa with some hard little green beauties from my garden. Snow is flying around and had to finally bring
them in from beside the house. Gets a bit cold on the hands trying to garden these day, turned the rest over to the white tails and mulies!astrobaja - 10-6-2007 at 05:27 AM
Hi everybody! Its cool to see thats theres a fair bit of interest in the topic! And also that there a small farms popping up all over the penninsula!
Bajabailador: We did purchase Rancho Concepcion
Hopefully we will start on the building of our Adobe block passive solar home in a couple months!
Cap: Yes for sure we plan on having a small garden, there is already an old apple orchard beside the house that Aida Meling wanted to retire to,
these trees are over 35-40 years old and the soil has slowly been nicely built up over that time by steady watering and the addition of silt from the
stream. So it should be quite rich by Baja standards!
Heres a pic:
[Edited on 10-6-2007 by astrobaja]
astrobaja - 10-6-2007 at 05:40 AM
Hi Gypsy jan!
Thanks for the info about Ignacio del rio, I'll have to do some asking around next time we're in La Fonda!
Oh yeah Laja is a place we've been to a couple times now, just amazing food
I'm sure the fact that the veggies are from their garden has a lot to do with it!
We went into a agricultural supply store in Ensenada (just before the turn to Estero) looking for irrigation pipe for our micro hydro system. While
we were there we were offered fresh out of the barrel cold pressed olive oil from the Guadalupe valle! So of course we bought a bottle! They also had
queso fresco y anejo, made from milk from the valley! The family that owns the supply store also owns the farm that produces these items (La
Manzanilla restaurant in Ensenada turns out gets all their olive oil from these people too!) so its cool to stumble on these sources! I'm sure you're
right we will make many connections like these once we're living in Baja for good, especially at the markets!
cheers
Mike
[Edited on 10-6-2007 by astrobaja]
Just to Clarify
Gypsy Jan - 10-6-2007 at 04:27 PM
There are two restaurants/hotels La Fonda in adjacent locations.
One is the long established and more famous La Fonda, that has been there for decades.
La Fonda del Rio was built and opened by Ignacio a few years ago.
To get to La Fonda del Rio, turn into the parking lot for the La Mision Hotel. Del Rio's place is on the cliff at the bottom of the parking lot.BAJABAILADOR - 10-7-2007 at 07:21 AM
Wonderful ! It will be a great adventure. I love that area, love to go to El Cayote for lunch,on my way up the hill. It's also a little easier since
the pavement has went in. You all will have a great time up there.
Rickbajabound2005 - 10-7-2007 at 08:15 AM
There is a large scale organic farming operation in Maneadero -- south end on the west side of the road. If I remember correctly the name is Los
Cabos. They were talking about opening to the public once day a week but can't confirm that they are doing that yet. And yes, darn near all it goes
to the US of A.
I'm sure the fact that the veggies are from their garden has a lot to do with it!