CUESA's Weekly E-Letter | May 4, 2018
FEATURE
Cultivating Food Justice at Green Thumb Organics
As a fourth-generation farmer, Rudy Jimenez has farming in his blood. Growing up in Salinas, California, Rudy's father, who had been working on a conventional farm for 30 years, gave him a choice: either go to school, or you are going to end up in the fields.

Farmworkers at conventional farms work 43 to 53 hours a week on average, and about 25 percent of farmworkers are living with total family incomes well under the federal poverty line.

"I thought to myself 'I don't want to end up in the fields.' But I also didn't want to go to school," Rudy says. "I had an entrepreneurial spirit since I was a kid. I used to help my mom promote healthy food, and we would go from door to door trying to sell food."

Rudy made a decision to stay in agriculture, but to do it his own way. He now runs Green Thumb Organics, a three-acre certified organic farm in east Salinas, while offering health education programs for children of farmworkers in the area. 
MARKET FLAVORS
This Week's Picks
SUPPORT LOCAL STUDENTS
Schoolyard to Market:
Life Learning Academy
Tuesday, May 8 | Support youth entrepreneurs by shopping at the Schoolyard to Market booth at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market! Next Tuesday, Life Learning Academy students will sell herbs, honey, handmade shrubs, and other products from their school garden.
BACK TO THE LAND
New Farm Tour! 40 Years, 4 Generations: A Farm Foray
Friday, May 18 | CUESA's farm tours are back! Celebrate spring with a day trip to two coastal organic farms in Marin that have big plans for the future: Star Route Farms and Gospel Flat Farm in Bolinas. Tickets include round-trip transportation and a picnic lunch on the farm.
HOT TICKET 
Join Us for CUESA's 25th Birthday Bash!
Sunday, June 10 | Join CUESA for a spectacular evening celebrating 25 years of nourishing our community through world-class farmers markets, groundbreaking education programs, and sustainably grown food. Enjoy unlimited food and drink, impeccably crafted by 40 restaurants and 20 bars and wineries. Ticket prices go up tomorrow! Get your early bird tickets now.
SEASONAL RECIPE
Chimichurri Sauce
This recipe from Juan Torres of Lolinda demonstrates the versatility of this famous steak sauce. It would pair well with asparagus, beets, cauliflower, or broccoli rabe in the spring.
Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: Saturday, Tuesday, Thursday
OUR COMMUNITY
New at the Ferry Plaza:
Beber Almondmilk 
Tomorrow meet Beber Almondmilk, one of latest additions to the Saturday Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. Beber makes almond milk with only two ingredients: organic California almonds and purified water. No preservatives, no thickeners, and no pasteurization.
MARKET TO TABLE
Upcoming Programs 
 
Rachel Aronow, featuring Little Apple Treats
| Saturday, May 5 | 10:30 am 

CUESA Volunteer Orientation | Saturday, May 5 | 12:00 pm 
 
 
Jack London Square Farmers Market: Sunday
OUR FARMERS
Gotelli Farms Is Back for Cherry Season!
Gotelli Farms returns to CUESA's markets for cherry season, offering Brooks, Rainier, and other varieties. You can now find them at Jack London Square on Sundays, and Mission Community Market and the Ferry Plaza on Thursdays.
MARKET TO TABLE
Upcoming Programs

Seasonal Market Tasting: Herbs | Sunday, May 13 | 12:00 pm
Mission Community Market: Thursday
NEW VENDOR
New at Mission Community Market: Steadfast Herbs 
Join us in welcoming Steadfast Herbs to Mission Community Market! Steadfast Herbs support folks in taking care of themselves and each other through handmade tinctures, teas, and salves from herbs grown in Pescadero. 
MARKET TO TABLE & LIVE MUSIC
Upcoming Programs 
Seasonal Market Tasting: Avocados and Peas | Thursday, May 10 | 5:00 pm

Music: Monica Fimbrez | Thursday, May 10 | 4-6 pm

Music: Trio Cambio | Thursday, May 10 | 6-8 pm  
Community Happenings
Market Update

This is the most up-to-date info about this week's seller attendance at the time of publication. Please stop by the CUESA Info Booth for a market map or check online for any last-minute changes.
 
Returning: Blossom Bluff Orchards, Della Fattoria, Lucero Organic Farm, Mountain Ranch Organically Grown, Triple Delight Blueberries 
Out: Old Dog Ranch
New! Beber Almondmilk, Capay Valley Meat Collective

Returning: Gotelli Farms
Out: The Sharp Brothers
Community Tent: Friends of the Oakland Public Library 

Returning: K&J Orchards, Triple Delight Blueberries, Sun Tracker Farm, Snyders Honey

Returning: Triple Delight Blueberries

Mission Community Market: Thursday | May 10
Returning:
Triple Delight Blueberries
New! Gotelli Farms, Steadfast Herbs
Music: Monica Fimbrez  (4-6 pm), Trio Cambio (6-8pm)