Placer County Gets Real

It was just about this time last year after moving from the bay area to my new home in Auburn, CA., that I received a copy of the Placer County Real Food Cookbook by local authors Joanne Neft and Laura Kenny as a housewarming gift from my realtor. It was the perfect gift to welcome me to the richness of what Placer County has to offer and what makes it so unique and special. I read the book cover to cover (not something I usually do with a cookbook!) and was inspired. I couldn't wait to visit my local farmers market and start cooking! Thanks to Joanne’s efforts over the last 22 years, which includes dressing up in a big red tomato outfit to lure freeway drivers to the market, I now have a number of thriving farmers markets available to me year round. The cookbook is the natural outgrowth of her passion for local “real food” obtained from local farmers. The book is a collection of 52 meals all lovingly prepared with ingredients obtained entirely during Joanne and Laura’s weekly trips to the market, and then enjoyed with friends and family each Monday night throughout a year. The photograph’s, shot mostly by friend and local photographer Keith Sutter, capture the beauty of the food as well as the passion with which it was prepared.

Last night, Deborah and I attended the celebration and premiere viewing of KVIE’s America’s Heartland with Rob Stewart at the historic State Theatre in downtown Auburn, in which Rob visits our local farmer’s market with Joanne and Laura. Prior to viewing the KVIE segment we also had the opportunity to view a short video called “Our Farmers Are Your Neighbors – Preserving Open Space in Placer County”. Both were inspiring and a joy to watch as the audience clapped and cheered each time friends and family made their appearance. It was said last night that Joanne Neft is Placer County’s story teller and she has definitely told it well. I felt she was truly a woman of my own heart when she spoke of her passion for “good healthy local food”,  and then gently reminded us that "we are what we eat”.    

Deb, Joanne Neft, Dawn

Attending the premiere last night was truly a pleasure as well as an honor. It was the first time Deborah and I had met Joanne and we both found her to be warm, welcoming and most of all genuine. We enjoyed wonderful food which was provided by the Foothills Farmer's Market and was prepared by local chef Courtney Mcdonald. We left feeling we had made new friends and very much aware of how blessed we are to be a part of this rich community. 

 

Until next week ...

Love and Blessings,

Dawn

We would love to hear from you about your local farmer’s markets. Do you attend them regularly? What has your experience been?

Below are some links for you as we want to encourage you to attend and support your local farmers and farmers markets. 

  Foothills Farmers Markets

  Nevada County Farmers Markets

  Sonoma County Farmers Markets

  Find A Farmers Market in Your Area 

If you are interested in viewing the America’s Heartland segment, the link below will take you to the program schedule.