By Peggy Sue McRae, Journal contributor
Nothing says summer like a sliced garden tomato on toast with a slather of mayo, a pinch salt and maybe a few crumpled leaves of fresh basil or oregano. It’s the taste of summer itself. As we head into peak summer not only fresh garden tomatoes but all kinds of summer produce are cropping up. Here are a just a few locations where you can find these seasonal pleasures.
I shop at the Food Hub. To shop at the San Juan Islands Food Hub you register and view the available fare online, make your selections and pick up your order on Wednesday afternoon at Brickworks on Nichols Street, between 4 and 5:30 pm. Farm goods from San Juan, Lopez and Orcas islands are available. Among my favorite weekly purchases lately are oyster mushrooms from Lopez, feta cheese from Orcas, and glorious greens and veggies from all three islands. The Food Hub also features a wide variety of locally raised meats. Find the Food Hub website at sjifh.com.
Fresh local farm goods can also be purchased at our lively San Juan Island Farmers Market also located at Brickworks on Nichols Street. The Market is open every Saturday, April – October from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm. (1st and 3rd Saturdays November – March). Besides a wide variety of farm goods expect to find arts and crafts, flowers and friends, entertaining musicians, coffee and baked goods. What a great way to start your weekend!
The San Juan Island Food Co-op located on Mullis Street right next to Bakery San Juan is another source for local and regionally sourced food products. The Co-op is open Monday – Friday 10 am to 6 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am – 5 pm. The Co-op “strives to provide access to local and regional food and goods that are organic, sustainable, and fairly produced with the smallest carbon footprint”. As we get closer to autumn expect to find a wide variety of regionally sourced fruit at the Co-op.
Finally, you may want to eat well but purchasing organic farm products can get expensive. If you already have a garden or would like to start one you might want to check out the Seed Library. This is a service created for our community by the combined efforts of the San Juan Island Grange and the San Juan Island Library. The Seed Library is, “a small cabinet with a big mission” explains Grange president Roger Ellison. Seed packets are available at the library free of charge. The Seed Library allows people to, “perhaps gain a little more food security and independence” says Ellison. Here’s a hearty “well done!” to both our Grange and our Library.
Another local foods option for low-income islanders is “Fresh Bucks”. The Fresh Bucks program provides those who qualify with $40 each Farmers Market day to spend on eligible foods. Applications for this program are available online at, https://forms.gle/bs5ZCMw3xirjdpeSA or fill out an application at the Family Resource Center or Health Dept.
Enjoy the bounty of summer. Eating locally helps to support our local farmers, maintains our rural landscapes and lifestyles, and of course… it’s delicious.
