Unofficially, today concludes the second year of my working with the Mains. I’m leaving now to go back home to Tennessee- but just for the summer. As I reflect on my experience in Davis the past two years, I can’t imagine what it would have been like with out working at the market with the Mains. In fact, I think many people in the community would say the same- that is the Mains mean a lot to many. Just the other day, I was at a retirement party, and Jeff and Annie, who were there, were honored for the work they do to provide us with food. Just recently, there was a program on NPR called “Five Farms” which Good Humus was featured as one of the five American farms. It is absolutely incredible to listen to (www.fivefarms.org). Being aired on national radio has now spread the Mains magic beyond the Northern California region.
Being on the radio is certainly not the only exciting thing happening these days. It’s June now and that means apricots! Jeff and Annie are known for their Royal Blenheim Apricots. It’s an heirloom variety that is hardly grown anymore because of it’s delicate shelf life, but just taste one of these little guys and you’ll never want to eat another kind of apricot again. Being from Tennessee, I didn’t grow up eating apricots, but once I tasted these they quickly my favorite summer fruit (well, that is second to melons). I have a developed a particular method to eat them: I hold it with one thumb on each side of the rib and then slowly pull it apart. If it’s good and ripe the top will break apart easily and even but the bottom will be lush and juicy and will ooze as I pull it apart. I first eat the half without the pit and then follow it with the other half. There’s a rich complexity to the fruit: the top has a slightly sour flavor and crunchy texture while the bottom is smooth and creamy with the taste of floral honey lingering on your tongue that only makes you want to eat another (and another and so one until it’s too late- oh, the dangers of standing with fresh fruit at hands reach for seven hours).
When we were packing up after market on Wednesday, it suddenly hit me that my apricot season was going to be cut short this year- I was going to have to say goodbye that night. But then there was a flat leftover and the thought came to me: why don’t I just take these home to Tennessee with me? So, I did it- I carried them on the flight, ate a few as a snack, gave a few away (great conversation starter), and greeted my parents with my arms full of California goodness! Now, I get to share the Main’s magic with my own family and friends at home. In some ways having the apricots and sharing them with others eases the pain of having to leave the Good Humus stand for two months, but only as long as I still have the apricots, which won’t be long.
Fortunately, I don’t have to wait a year, like I do for the Royal Blenheims, before I’ll be back with the Mains. Until September, I’ll be staying in Chattanooga working on a small farm learning as much as I can. I look forward to comparing agriculture in TN and CA and getting a better hands-on feel for what’s happening in the food movement across the country. I’ll be sure to document it along the way and let you know how it goes.
Until then, be sure to get an apricot before it’s too late (and eat an extra for all of those who can’t get them)! And no worries cause peaches and nectarines are just around the corner…