If you have read my blog for a while, you have probably heard me mention Rancho Gordo - a Bay Area based farm run by Steve Sando. Steve sells heirloom beans, chiles, tortillas, tortilla chips, nopales, epazote and more.
There is a great article about Rancho Gordo in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat from a couple of weeks ago that is worth the read. In addition to the Sunday Marin Farmer's Market, you can now find Steve's booth at the Saturday Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market. People are really starting to pay attention to Rancho Gordo, as it seems that every time I stop by his booth he has a new article to share or tells me about a new chef who is using his product. It is very exciting to see the Bay Area (and beyond) embrace this great company.
Due to a decision by the administration of the FPFM, however, you cannot get Steve's fantastic tortillas at his booth. To purchase those, you will have to go inside to the Village Market. I would highly suggest trying these tortillas, as I searched for quite a while to find a decent, everyday, non-gmo corn tortilla and finally landed on Rancho Gordo's as the best. The arbitrary decision by CUESA was surprising, as he was originally told that he could sell his tortillas and then was told that he couldn't. I have tried to discuss this with the CUESA team with no real result except for being told that it is not possible to purchase Steve's tortillas from the Farmer's Market (period. end of sentence.). There are some amazing, fantastic things about our star farmer's market in San Francisco, but the bureaucracy of it is often overwhelming.
All of that aside, if you happen to be at the FPFM or the Marin Civic Center Market on Saturday or Sunday, stop by and say hi - you will love the Rancho Gordo booth!
Update: As of Spring, 2005, Steve is selling his tortillas at the Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market.
