Enjoy the literal (and figurative) fruits of hard-work and dedication put in by College of Marin’s (COM) students and staff at the Indian Valley Organic Farm and Garden (IVOFG).
The seasonal Saturday Farm Stand is set to begin again this Saturday, July 31 at the IVC campus in Novato. The college will be selling its ever-popular homemade, cold-pressed olive oil, along with a wide variety of organic seasonal goods from the farm, including strawberries, cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, flower bouquets, hand-picked teas, and more. All the produce will have come directly from the IVOFG.
According to Lead Gardener Tealy Gapinski, this popular farm stand sale is a worthy trip for those who enjoy fresh organic goods at home.
“Our produce and flower prices are all very reasonable, and you won't find fresher, or better tasting goods at the grocery store,” she said. “The farm stand is a small glimpse of all the beauty and abundance that is churned out here at the farm. We hope a lot of people will come to see how staff and students are working together to build a sustainable food system for the community and enjoy the fruits of our labor.”
Gapinski added that purchasers can feel good not only about supporting their local students, but by helping the environment. The environmental impact of food in the United States is difficult to quantify, but advocates of “eating locally” and seasonally stress that carbon emissions are significantly reduced when purchasers get their food from nearby farms, and food tends to taste better when it is locally sourced.
All sales proceeds will go directly back to support the farm and the work that students, instructors, and staff are doing to support and maintain its operation. The farm requires that visitors maintain physical distancing guidelines and only touch what they plan to purchase. The farm stand is outside in the open air and masks will not be required for the fully vaccinated, but they are strongly encouraged for everyone.
The organic, cold-pressed olive oil will be for sale and will be priced according to the size of the bottle and the year of the harvest, ranging from $5 to $17. The Saturday Farm Stand will offer 2-ounce, 4-ounce, and 8-ounce olive oil bottles for sale.
The weekly farm stand will run through October 30 on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information visit http://www1.marin.edu/IVOFG or contact them at organicfarm@marin.edu.