BLACKBERRY PICKING AT UNDERWOOD FARMS

In an effort to teach Mila that food doesn't come from the supermarket, we've taken a few trips to local farms. We chose blackberry picking at Underwood Farms Somis for our latest outing. Underwood is well known in Southern California, especially for their Halloween festivities, but their Somis location is a smaller, more low-key destination. In addition to pick-your-own berries, they have a farm market, animal center and a sandlot to play in.

The blackberries are on tall bushes with thorns so they're not as easy/kid-friendly as strawberry picking, but still fun to gather. Next time we'll try blueberries (April - mid-June).

A nice picnic table in the shade to sit and enjoy your harvest.

Local avocados and citrus at the farm market.

Alpacas looking for some food. You can buy carrots for $1 at the farm market to feed them and the other animals.

The pygmy goats getting a snack. 

SANTA MONICA FARMERS' MARKET

We have a very special correspondent today... our mom! And what does Mom love? Organic fruit and veggies! So she's taking us to the Santa Monica Farmers' Market. It's the largest grower-only Certified Farmers Market in Southern California and a favorite for local chefs.

IMG_8552.jpg

Lets start with the berries. We're certainly lucky to have these fresh, vibrant, local berries.

Papayas grown in California! Have you ever heard of such a thing? Amazing!

Thank God for artichoke season!

You say 'tomato,' I say 'tomato.'

Lots of good greens for dinner.

The Santa Monica Farmers' Market is open every Wednesday from 8.30am - 1.30pm, and is located on Arizona Avenue at 2nd Street.