SACRAMENTO, Calif. — As part of its fresh-from-the-farm video and recipe series, "California Grown" is releasing a new video featuring Cecchini & Cecchini Farms of Brentwood, Calif., the only remaining asparagus farmer in Contra Costa County.
The video series, which highlights California farmers and the real stories behind some of California's favorite agricultural products, was started last year as part of an ongoing effort to connect consumers to the people and families that produce the locally grown foods they enjoy.
In the newest video, Barbara Cecchini shares what she loves about farming in California, how her family got involved in their farming operation, what sets their asparagus apart from products grown in other regions, and why she feels it's important to buy California-grown products.
This video–along with a series of videos featuring farmers from the avocado, cherry, kiwi, cut flower and pear industries–is available at www.californiagrown.org/farmers . The site also shares recipes and usage inspiration featuring each crop, some of which are personal recipes and recommendations straight from the farmers themselves. Perfect for the spring season is the site's featured asparagus recipe, California Asparagus Potato Pizza.
"Knowing where their food comes from is becoming more important to many consumers, and we want Californians to look for and buy locally grown products whenever they shop," said Kasey Cronquist, Board Chairman of the Buy California Marketing Agreement. "We created these videos to put a face on California's agricultural communities and to give consumers a better understanding of how each purchasing decision they make can support those farming families and the state's economy."
Cecchini, who runs her family's packing shed and finances for the operation, has been in the business for 20 years, and her husband is a third-generation farmer. She loves the reliable California weather and the busy spring asparagus season.
"Our asparagus taste sweeter than asparagus from any other growing region, and they are also much fresher," said Cecchini. "It is essential for consumers to support California's farmers and buy locally grown products to ensure local farmers can stay in business in communities throughout California."
Cecchini & Cecchini Farms harvests approximately 700 acres of asparagus during the season, which runs from mid-February through mid-June. Their asparagus is distributed across the United States and to overseas markets, as well as to local farmers' markets and restaurants. Fresh California-grown asparagus is in store now throughout California and the rest of the country.
About the Buy California Marketing Agreement and the "California Grown" Program
The Buy California Marketing Agreement (BCMA) is a joint effort of agricultural industry groups representing the products of California's farms and ranches. Working as an advisory board to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, BCMA brings together industry and government resources to increase the awareness, consumption and value of California agricultural products, helping the state's consumers enjoy the best of the California lifestyle.
The following California agricultural organizations are partners in this effort:
California Asparagus Commission California Cut Flower Commission
California Avocado Commission California Pear Advisory Board
California Cherry Advisory Board California Table Grape Commission
California Kiwi Commission
For more information, visit www.californiagrown.org .
Source: Buy California Marketing Agreement
