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 Summer Cocktails at Jack London Square Indulge in seasonal drinks made with farmers’ market produce, Aug 2 in Oakland. Read more.  A Peachy Tour at Frog Hollow Farm Meet Farmer Al, sample stone fruits, and learn how the farm operates, Aug 4 in Brentwood. Read more.  Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme Meet author and herbalist…

Join Edible East Bay at the O2AA Artisans Crafts Faire Party in West Oakland with local artisans and music by Rupa and the April Fishes, June 17. Read more.  Stroll through a Sublime Sculpture Garden Meet the artists and enjoy good food and music at the Ruth Bancroft Garden. Walnut Creek, June 17. Read more.  Gardener’s Notebook:Touch-Up…

May in the Garden: The Three Sisters of Summer Adopt a Fourth It’s not too late to plant your four sisters garden bed. Follow these easy steps.    Here Come the Stone Fruits! Three stone fruit recipes are among the deliciousness in our new Summer issue.  The Soiled Dove Offers Naughty Dinner TheaterRelish a decadent circus-inspired…

Local Teen Builds Beehive, Family Awaits Sweet Returns William Peale draws on local bee experts for advice. Read more.    Garden Education Benefits All The Edible Schoolyard Plant Sale offers spring planting inspiration plus local food and music, May 13. Read more.  A Farmer’s Tale Meet organic farmer Efren Avalos at a Real Food Real…

Edible East Bay Wants You on Instagram!  We’re looking through our Instagram feed for the best photos of East Bay outdoor dining and summer foods to include in our Summer ’17 Issue. If you follow us on Instagram and post your best pix with #edibleeastbaysummer, you may get your work in print!      Read more.     Charoset…

   With a Little “Baa-Ram-Ewe”. . . Watch smart sheep dogs herd sheep at the McCormack Ranch Sheepdog Trials, March 31, April 1 & 2. Read more.  Lamb Dishes for Your Spring Feast Chef Rick DeBeaord offers two great lamb recipes.  Boost Your EVOO IQ Three pros talk flavor, growth, and fraud in the olive oil industry. Oakland, …

 Urban Farm Day at the Oasis BioFuel Oasis offers free workshops on gardening, beekeeping, and fermentation on Mar 18. Read more.  Cheese All Ways Taste and tour at the California Artisan Cheese Festival, Mar 24-26. Read more. Springtime in Capay Valley Celebrate the new growing season right on the farm at Farm Fresh to You, Mar 18. Read more.…

 Got Seeds? Swap, share, and learn at this Berkeley seed exchange, March 10. Read more.  Cook Up a Bowl of Magic  Chipotle Pumpkin Soup Alchemy from Decolonize Your Diet. Recipe here.   Art Classes and Gratitude from our Cover Artist   Try your hand at sketching or painting with Margo Rivera-Weiss. Read more.      Anything on…

Spirited Celebrations Toast the new year with amari and spritz cocktails. Read our reviews here.       Eating Our Hearts Out A Cal grad recalls joy, madness, and filth in a campus co-op kitchen. Read the story: here 

Book Signing with Mark Bittman Meet the acclaimed author and columnist at Market Hall, Oct 16. Read more.  A Playful Harvest Fair  Enjoy a festive time at the East Bay Waldorf School, Oct 15. Read more.  Harvest Fun at the Sunol AgPark Pick a pumpkin and explore the farms, Oct 16. Read more.  Explore Foods from…

Forage Kitchen Opens in Oakland Visit the new co-working space for chefs and food entrepreneurs, Oct 7. Read more. The Rye Baker Visits Mrs. Dalloway’s Meet the author and sample breads from Europe and America, Oct 7. Read more. Emeryville Art Show Turns 30 Local talent is on display with works in many media, opening…

An Exhibit to Feast on at the UC Botanical Garden Plus a family day, mezcal tasting, and a harvest dinner, Oct 1-21. Read more.  Sweet Times at the Oasis  Sample East Bay honeys and learn about urban farming, Oct 1. Read more.  Celebrate the Olive Harvest Taste, create, and explore at the Orinda Olive Festival, Oct…

Bewitching Bites A local event highlights the magic of The Troll Cookbook, Sept 24. Read our review including recipes, and learn more about the event: here.  Party with the Plants Merritt College Fall Plant Sale features family fun and great plants for your garden, Oct 1 & 2. Read more. Celebrate Life on the Farm…

Tomato Dreams Come True Join Edible East Bay and local tomato breeders at Tomatotopia, Sept 25. Read more.   Eat Real! It’s that time again! Don’t miss Oakland’s annual Eat Real Fest, Sept 23-25 at Jack London Square. Read more   Fiber Artists Trunk Show Berkeley Horticultural Nursery hosts a trunk show featuring handmade and homegrown goods,…

High Marks for the Millet Project Get to know this high-nutrition, gluten-free grain, Sept.11. Read more.  What’s the Beef With Beef?   How much does eating steak and burgers contribute to climate change? Sept. 14.Read more.  Bowls of Deliciousness   Whole Bowls offers veggie, vegan, and gluten-free recipes in a cozy serving dish.Read our review…

    Real Food, Real Stories Picnic Meet food activist Brahm Ahmadi and hear his story, Sept 8. Read more.        Celebrate Makers at              Donkey & Goat First Fridays highlight local wine, food, art, and music. Read more.   Late Summer Feasts Get ready for memorable barbecues and…

Eat.Think.Design. Goes Online Cal course in food and innovation now open to all. Read more.  Campus Innovators  Cal grad students tackle food-centered problems in Eat.Think.Design. Read our story here.  Film Explores Hunger in America A Place at the Table offers hard truths and possible answers, Sept 1. Read more  Waste Not, Want Not!   Learn…

Juicy Reads! Our new Fall Harvest ’16 issue features tomatoes, carbon farming, rooftop veggies, and much more. Find a copyhere. (Cover art by Shari Arai DeBoer.)  Carbon Conscious on the Farm New trends in farming create healthier soil and happier cows. Read our story here. Art Among the Shrubbery Local artists display their works at…

Cook, Shop, & Volunteer! The Farmers’ Market Wants You! Attend CUESA’s volunteer orientation and explore the opportunities, Aug 17. Read more. Cook the Market With Kitchen on Fire Build your farmers’ market savvy with cooking demos and a hands-on class, Aug 18 & 20. Read more.   Shop the Truck It’s National Farmers’ Market Week,…

Tour Oakland Coffee Territory Get your coffee passport stamped when you visit Oakland’s indie cafés. Read more. Book Signing on the Farm Meet Mi Ae Lipe, author of Bounty From the Box, and tour the farm, Aug 8. Read more. Inspired Cooking with Vegetables Pick up tips and techniques for working magic with veggies. Read…

Educate Your Palate Learn about and taste wines from Paso Robles in Oakland, July 28. Read more. I’ll Drink to That!   Summer’s garden bounty mixes beautifully with cocktails and bitters. Read our book reviews and learn about Ledger’s Liquors here. Ethiopian Chicken with Preserved Lemon Relish Try this outstanding recipe from Bitterman’s Field Guide to Bitters and Amari.…

Bean-to-Bar Learning   Dive in with a Food Craft Institute chocolate intensive, Aug 10-20. Read more. Arctic Tour on a Hot Summer Day As National Ice Cream Day approaches, we go behind the scenes at Fentons Creamery, July 17. Read more. Super SCOBY Magic Brew your own healing kombucha, July 21. Read more. Tomato Time…

Go Plastic Free in July The Ecology Center offers hands-on events and learning opportunities. Read more. A Bastille Day Soirée Market Hall serves up a celebration of French food, July 14. Read more.  El Torito Tapa! Run with the bulls at a fun bar in Walnut Creek, July 7-14. Read more.  Kick Back for East Bay Parks…

Sips, Ships, and Sparks at the Richmond Shipyard Celebrate the Fourth (on July Third) at Riggers Loft Wine Company. Read more. Seeing the Beauty of Nature in the Urban Environment Read our book review and hear Nathanael Johnson speak at Books Inc, July 6. Stone Fruit at the Source Celebrate along with Central Valley growers at their…

Gain Ancient Food Wisdom Three Stone Hearth offers an intensive on traditional diets, June 18. Read more. Buzz & Flap, Creep & Crawl What a way to celebrate Father’s Day: Bug Day at the Botanical Garden, June 19. Read more. Peachy Plummy! Taste those sweet stone fruits and play the name game, June 19. Read…

   Cooking With Elderflowers Delicate floral blossoms enhance sweet and savory foods alike. Read more. Last Call on EDDY’s Voting Please push us over the top: Voting ends on Wednesday June 8 at 9pm. Read more.   Celebrate the Farm in the City Explore West Oakland’s new urban farm and play space, June 11 &…

  A Recipe from EDDY Award Nominee “A Savory Puzzle” Try Chef Brian Ventura’s Heirloom and Cherry Tomato Salad. Read more. A Recipe from EDDY Award Nominee “Baking With Bugs” Get adventurous with this zucchini bread made with cricket flour. Read more. Spring Feast at Grabishfarm Relish a farm-fresh dinner as the sun sets over…

Summer Pleasures Our new summer issue is in print and will be turning up this week at local farmers’ markets and East Bay businesses. Indulge yourself! Nishanga Bliss discusses research on food and pleasure in our new issue. Plum Pickling Time Transform fruit into umeboshi, May 22. Read more. Fruitvale’s Many Flavors Sample Latino delicacies…

Strawberry Art Create your own botanical artistry at Il Fiorello, May 21. Read more. Meet & Greet at Grabishfarm Get to know the heritage breed animals and learn why they matter, May 21. Read more. Chickens, Goats, and Food Forests Institute of Urban Homesteading tours, May 15 & 22. Read more. Keep the Brews Coming Beer…

   Berkeley Garden Party Taste, tour, and splurge on plants at the Edible Schoolyard, May 7. Read more.    The Wisdom of Weeds A middle schooler reveals life lessons learned in the garden. Read more. Pasture Power Connect with changemakers and experts on soils, seeds, and pollinators, May 10. Read more.     EVOO Enlightenment Learn and taste…

Water-Wise Planting   Explore the options at the UC Botanical Garden Spring Plant Sale, April 29-30.Read more. Take Home a Michael Pollan . .  . . .  from the Merritt College Spring Plant Sale, April 30-May 1. Read more. A Mooooment to Celebrate Clover Stornetta turns 100!   Read more. Hog Heritage Matters Chefs compete in a…

A Fresh Look at California Farmsteads Edible East Bay applauds writer Sarah Henry and photographer Erin Scott for their new book, Farmsteads of the California Coast. Read more.     Celebrating Mediterranean Jewish Foods Chef Joyce Goldstein serves up a new book and recipe samples, April 16. Read more.    Celebrate Earth Day at Wagner…

Join Slow Food East Bay for an exploration of all things fish!  Read more.

Pop-Up for Camp Scholarships Fundraiser helps kids attend summer cooking programs, April 9. Read more. Grain Trust Conference highlights whole grains, seeds, and soil, April 9 & 10. Read more. Healthy Food for Vulnerable Americans Expert panel ponders solutions at the Commonwealth Club, April 11. Read more. Fun for All at the Farm Run Hit the…

    Sheepdog Smarts Come out to the McCormack Ranch for a lively day of dog trials, April 1-3.   Read more. Special Occasions Add unexpected flavors to spring picnics and potlucks. Read more. Prince of Prints Celebrate the art of David Lance Goines at the UC Botanical Garden, March 26 – April 7. Read more.…

Cheese Bliss Indulge in tastings, pairings, and demos at the Artisan Cheese Festival, March 18-20.  Read more. Flavors of Spring Celebrate the change of season with our flavorful Nappa Cabbage Spring Rolls. Read more.     Slow Down with Good Fish Slow Food workshop offers techniques in smoking, curing, and drying fish, March 20.  Read more.…

Local Fish News Flash: Crabs, oysters, mussels, and clams are again safe to eat! Celebrate with a bowl of local clam chowder. Read more. Read more about the easing of the local fishing ban: here Master Gardeners Talk Compost Monthly sessions include expert advice and guided tours,  March 12 & April 9. Read more. Think…

Urban Farm Savvy Bring on the chicks, bees, and fermented veggies, March 5.  Read more.   Dressing to Save the Planet  Fibershed founder talks eco-attire, March 6. Read more.    Fibers & Dyes From the Garden Annual exhibit also features hands-on workshops, March 5-27. Read more.    A Bonanza for School Gardens Supply giveaway gets…

Our Spring Issue is Out! Pick up your free copy at an East Bay farmers’ market or participating business or subscribe to have a copy mailed to you directly Time to sign up for community-supported agriculture (CSA)!   Read more.  Right on Track  Wine Soul Train wins a Taste Award. Read more. Hands-On Make your…

Dine for School Gardens Local restaurants donate proceeds on February 18.   Read more. Making Greener Wine Grape growers talk sustainability on February 22.   Read more. Say Cheese Photos capture solo diners: on view through March 15. Read more. Early Spring Vegetable Gardening  Read our book reviews.

Local fishmongers talk alternatives. Read more. Sea Bounty  Read our book reviews here. An East Bay Love Week Calendar   Ideas for local Valentine’s celebrations with family, friends, and lovers. Read more. Two Oyster Recipes   Make the best of what our coast has to offer this winter. Read more. Chocolate Futures   Ever tasted…

Indulge on a Budget Restaurant Week offerings are delicious and affordable: through Jan 31 in Berkeley; through Jan 24 in Oakland. Read more SOS for the Oceans Festival celebrates sustainable seas and seafood: January 30.  Read more Nettle Power A healing pesto invigorates the body. Read more Books on Super Foods for Super Health Read…

A Warming Winter Soup Lacinato kale from Tomatero Farm enhances this vegan dish. Read more. Scion Swap California Rare Fruit Growers holds its Annual Scion Exchange: January 16. Read more. Establishing New Roots Through Cooking New Roots Oakland helps newly arrived refugees create food businesses. Read more. Warming Soups and Stews (and Some Sweet Maple…

Dip into the Holidays An illustrated recipe by artist Patricia Robinson and writer/food producer Barbara Kobsar Read more   ‘Tis the Season for Tamales! Book reviews here     Crafts on the Waterfront Savor the arts and the food at KPFA’s Winter Crafts Fair: December 19 & 20 Read more Pie à la Mode A…

Bread Lights the Way at the East Bay Waldorf School Santa Lucia buns offer a lesson in generosity.  Read more Season’s Steepings  Spice up the holidays with tea-steeped spirits. Read more Seasonal Pairings  Find out what to sip with your holiday feast. Read more Gift Books for the Food Curious Read more      Taste, Mingle, and…

Memorable Madeleines   Donsuemor offers French pastries with East Bay roots. Read more. Soups and Stews in Aid of Syria A collection of recipes from acclaimed chefs supports the UN Refugee Agency. Read more.  East Bay Homecoming   Kitchen Gypsy Joanne Weir returns to Chez Panisse.   Read more. Life-Saving Recipes   Edible Iowa River Valley reviews Ruth…

    Thanksgiving on Your Picnic Blanket or Holiday Table  Recipes for a Friendsgiving Picnic await in our Winter Holidays issue    

Share the Veggie Goodness A local farmer offers an innovative way to share the wealth of fresh produce Raise A Farm  Seeking people power to build West Oakland’s Urban Farm and Park on November 14 & 15  HashtagLunchbag The Town Kitchen and Pandora call for willing hands. Help make sandos on November 18 & 19…

The Olive Oil Experience Harvest time at Séka HillsTour, taste, and dine: November 7 & 21 What Pairs with Turkey?  Find out at Donkey & Goat Winery’s Holiday Wine Tasting on November 14   On Natural Winemaking From our archives: Learn how local experts define and create “natural” wines Can Food Improve Mood? Hear dietitian Jessica Wilson speak at…

A favorite from our magazine archives: Reflections on a harvest plus a recipe for Pomegranate-Jalapeño Jelly Pomegranates, Please!   Fruits and nuts take center stage at the Madera Pomegranate Festival on November 7 in Madera Food Wisdom from a Scientist Chef J. Kenji López-Alt cooks and signs books at Market Hall on November 1  Cooking…

EatDrinkFilms.com and FoodDay.org present a day of food-themed movies in San Francisco as part of the national FoodDay .   Info at www.eatdrinkfilmsfest.com       Advance ticket sales (no service charge) https://bso.sh/1X4ZugO   The Show Celluloid Appetizers  —11:00am — Exploratorium’s Kanbar Forum A program of short films featuring Susan Rockefeller’s Food for Thought, Food for Life  and a selection of tasty…

  Black Farmers Conference Building a network at Laney College, October 15–18 Burdock Boost Make a tasty salad with this cleansing, cooling root  Olives to Oil  Turn your olives into freshly milled oil on Oct 2  Picnic in the Park Celebrate Food Day at Hayward’s October 24 community gathering  Pumpkin Pickin’ Visit Capay Organic on October…

Rockridge Rocks! Join the party at the annual Out & About street fair on Oct 11 Learn and Explore at Foods of the Americas  UC Botanical Garden annual exhibit runs through Oct 18 Bagel Bliss Bagelzilla attacks on Oct 11 Apples in Season Try this recipe from our current issue.  Off the Charts Challenge your assumptions at Berkeley’s…

Orinda Olives Taste, tour, and learn at the Wagner Ranch on Oct 4 Olive Fest in Fremont Enjoy a family-friendly celebration in the olive grove on Oct 3 & 4      Emeryville’s Arts Extravaganza

Fall Pleasures at Piedmont Harvest Festival This fun fest marks its 17th year on September 27     Harvest Delights at Sunol AgPark Festival Tour the farms, meet the farmers, and have loads of fun on September 27        Garden Gems at UC Botanical Garden Fall Plant Sale Shop for water-wise plants on September 27     Creative…

Mix it Up at Eat Real Fest!   Oakland’s lively street-food party is on! September 18-20     Harvest at the Oasis Free tastings and workshops at BioFuel Oasis: September 19 Splendid Kitchens on View Feast on style and craft at the Rockridge Kitchen Tour: September 20 Hands-On Harvest Fun Dig in for a celebration at the Gill Tract…

At Sprouts Cooking Club, Kids Cook with the Stars Celebrity chefs teaching Bay Area kids how to wield the whisk Farm-Fresh Produce at Your Doorstep Capay Valley Farm Shop now delivers Too many tomatoes? Make Gazpacho! A Gorgeous 75th The Regional Parks Botanic Garden celebrates a milestone anniversary Soil Not Oil Learn how carbon farming can…

Events at local farms feature surprises like Zydeco dancing and the chance to help build a playground. In this newsletter: ● Revel in Cajun music and cuisine at Ardenwood Historic Farm – Aug 15 ● Help build a playground at City Slicker Farms – Aug 18–20 ● Explore native plants and busy bees at Ploughshares Nursery –…

From a plastic-free picnic to a waste-savvy kitchen, here are some events and ideas to help you walk gently on the Earth. In this newsletter: ● Picnic with the plastic-free crowd – August 1 ● Sip and savor at the Urban Wine Xperience – August 1 ● Documentary film charts the race toward zero waste – August 6…

The longer days of summer offer more time to try new things, like exploring new wines, entering a food contest, or heading back to school for a green career. In this newsletter: ●  Sip and savor at the Oakland Wine Festival – July 18 ●  Feed your creativity at Berkeley Spark – July 18 ●…

Share your veggies and meet your neighbors at local crop swaps. In this newsletter: ●  The swaps are hopping! ●  Call for contestants: Be a yardfarmer on reality TV ●  Bake your own amazing bagels with Laurie Leiber ●  Book Review: The Occidental Arts and Ecology Center Cookbook     Swapping Spree Share your garden’s bounty and…

We have an especially flavorful array of opportunities on this week’s menu. Scroll down to explore all the spices and sweets.   In this newsletter: ●  Oaktown Spice Shop thrives in its new home ●  Get the dirt on hops at Ploughshares Nursery – July 4 ●  Peek behind the scenes at Three Stone Hearth…

Step into the season with a gourmet dinner on the farm and a spectacular arts fair.   In this newsletter: ●  Shop, taste, and support KPFA – June 20 & 21 ●  Join the fun in Paradise – June 21 ●  Celebrate Dad’s Day with a pig roast – June 21 ●  Mix a drink…

Whether you favor burgers, salmon, or tofu on the barbie, it’s time to clean your grill and get cooking. In this newsletter: ●  The Local Butcher pops up at the farmers’ market – Tuesdays through October ●  Contemplate food ethics at Mrs. Dalloway’s – June 11 ●  Dine with a chef and a revolutionary – June…

From sampling ice cream to mixing cocktails, we’ve got events to suit every palate.     In this newsletter: ●  Scrumptious samples at Mark Bittman’s book signing – May 30 ●  Help your garden thrive with less water – May 30 ●  Book extravaganza in Oakland – May 31 ●  New Rockridge ice cream tour starts…

Our summer issue is out! And we have something special this time: A new online video by Scott Peterson accompanies our story about Rebecca Newburn and the seed-saving movement. Enjoy! In this newsletter: ●  Video Release: A Face-Place Story features seed-saving dynamo Rebecca Newburn ●  Meet the hogs, turkeys, and fainting goat at Grabishfarm –…

Food incubator Kitchen@812 hosts an action-packed evening featuring the Culinary Clash on Wednesday May 20. This food competition supports the Pinole-based food incubator, which helps local food entrepreneurs launch new businesses. The event is in the style of Food Network favorite Chopped, with ingredient baskets that chefs see just before the clock starts ticking. Contestants…

It’s time to venture about in our East Bay cities among the urban farms, wineries, and edible weeds. In this newsletter: ●  Celebrate spring at the station: May 2 ●  Stamp your passport for an urban wine tour: May 2 & 3 ●  Local artist offers a Mothers Day fundraiser: through May 6 ●  Walk…

Local celebrations honor Berkeley’s public-school gardens and a thriving community farm. In this newsletter: ●   Permaculture in action at the Gill Tract Farm: April 25 & 26 ●   Water smarts for gardeners: April 28 ●   School garden gala: May 1     Plant and Plan at the Gill Tract Honor the 45th…

Find joyful, creative, and useful ways to care for our planet at a local Earth Day event. In this newsletter: ●   Earth Day fun and learning at the Brower Center: April 18 ●   Volunteer at earth-friendly projects in Oakland: April 18 ●   Reflect on soul and soil in Lafayette: April 19 ●   Guide…

It’s spring, so go play in the dirt!  In this newsletter: ●   Celebrate spring at local plant sales: various dates ●   Study compost with soil maven Dr. Elaine Ingham: April 13–17 ●   DIY supplies and a hands-on fermentation class at Pollinate Farm & Garden: April 19 ●   Grant funding for innovative farmers: application…

Open your mind and excite your taste buds with wild foods and other local delights.   In this newsletter: ●   Wild Food Week: April 4–10 ●   Open house at Standard Fare: April 4 ●   Savvy advice for grant seekers: April 8 ●   Uncorked wine competition gala in Livermore Valley: April 9…

Longing to create your own food forest, food biz, or farmhouse cheddar? Upcoming events offer the chance to get savvy and learn plenty of new skills… Oh, and to taste some incredible cheese! In this newsletter: ●   Taste, learn, and explore at the Artisan Cheese Festival  March 20–22 ●   Create your own food forest –…

We’re sending this extra Appetizer your way with tempting events for pie lovers and gardeners too. In this newsletter: ●   Infinite Fun on Pi Day ●   Get Your Hands Dirty Infinite Fun on Pi Day   Still scared of math? Well, no significant math skills are needed when you join Niles Pie Company for…

Women Leaders, Dynamic Careers By Jillian Steinberger Last week, around 100 women packed themselves tightly into a gallery space at Impact Hub in downtown Oakland. Ready for lively discussion, they came to see a panel of “women warriors” talk about waging policy initiatives against Big Food. Marion Nestle, the renowned author of many books including Food…

then Help with our Facebook Switcheroo! Two things to do: Think Inside the Box Have you considered signing up for a CSA (community-supported agriculture) subscription? Wondering what it means to be a CSA member, and what’s waiting for you inside that goodie box? Edible East Bay makes it easier to sort through the options with our…

  Join in for two events celebrating Black History Month with the People’s Grocery. On Friday, February 27 civil rights lawyer and activist Howard Moore hosts a panel on lessons learned in the past to help grow the future. The discussion is followed by an all–ages dance party. On Saturday February 28, a garden event…

Tempted to start your own food business? Getting launched and staying afloat are tall orders, but help is at hand, thanks to the Food Craft Institute, Food Funded, and Bay Bucks.   In This Newsletter: ●   Food Funded Hosts Entrepreneurs and Investors – March 26 ●   A Food Craft Institute Success Story: Three Trees Nutmilk…

Of course, it’s mostly those sweets and sweet sentiments we want to share on February 14, but sophisticated foodies and those looking at health properties of foods are learning to appreciate the bitter, as this week’s book review points out.   In This Newsletter: ●   Sweet Notecards: The Affection Collection ●   For the Love of Chocolate –…

Musical winter cocktails, books on wheels, and a small but growing farm are on today’s menu.   In This Newsletter: ●   Jazz on the Rocks at the Ferry Building – Feb 4 ●   Lungomare gets cooking for the Peralta Colleges – Feb 7 ●   Ready, set, grow at Happy Acre Farm! ●   Library on Wheels…

As 2015 rolls in, new adventures await in your garden and kitchen. Learn how to grow your own little fruit tree, collaborate with tomato farmers, and sauté some chanterelles to perfection. In This Newsletter: ● Oakland Restaurant Week: Jan 15–25 ● Book party for Grow A Little Fruit Tree: Jan 16 ● Baia Nicchia Farm…

California Offers a Bit of Breathing Room for Chickens Two new laws related to chickens and eggs went into effect in California on Jan 1. In combination, the two laws prohibit eggs produced in extreme-confinement conditions from being sold in California, regardless of where the eggs were produced. Proposition 2 was a ballot proposition passed…

In its annual report on food and farming legislation, the California Food Policy Council (CAFPC) says that 9 of its 22 priority bills were signed into law in 2014 by Governor Jerry Brown. The CAFPC is a statewide network of urban and rural advocates that encourages progressive food laws by tracking and publicizing legislators’ voting…

Berkeley filmmaker Les Blank is known for charming short documentaries on topics as diverse as garlic, women with gaps between their teeth, and film director Werner Herzog. Following Blank’s death in 2013, fourteen of his films have been digitally re-mastered and are being released in a box set called Always For Pleasure, the title of…

Ring in the new year with an exploration of new foods and flavors. Sample a cup of Mexican Mocha at Catahoula Coffee’s new shop in Berkeley or venture into San Francisco for mouthwatering bites from winners of the Good Food Awards.   In This Newsletter: ●   Catahoula Coffee: Gourmet sips in two cozy shops ●   Ferment’n:…

Institute of Urban Homesteading Winter Open House Saturday and Sunday December 13 &14, noon–4:00pm Straggler Sale Monday December 15, 6–8pm The IUH year-end social and sale offers lots to taste and explore plus amazing deals on homemade goodies. Everything is ultra-local, super small-batch, and only available once a year. For those who are too busy to…

Support jobs for Oakland youth as you buy your holiday gifts. Offerings include beet pickles, raw kim chi kraut and sauerkraut, herbed salts, and home fermentation pickling/kraut kits from the Phat Beetz Youth Pickle Co. This local business creates jobs for teens from Children’s Hospital Oakland and for Oakland youth who face barriers to employment.…

  This is the time of year to indulge friends and family with edible treats and memorable gifts. In the spirit of the season, we’re serving up some tempting local pleasures to savor and share during the coming weeks. In This Newsletter: ●   Holidays in the Vineyards – Dec 6 & 7 ●   KPFA…

Legal Eats Saturday November 22, 10am–12:30pm The Women’s Building 3543 18th St, San Francisco Attention food entrepreneurs! Do you have questions about the law and how it applies to your start-up or existing food enterprise? Legal Eats offers the scoop on the legal requirements for operating a food business in the Bay Area. Learn about…

  Thursday, November 20, 5:30–8pm Fentons Creamery 4226 Piedmont Ave, Oakland The team behind This is Oakland joins Fentons Creamery with a delicious offer that benefits Oakland’s libraries. Meet author Melissa Davis and photographer Kristen Loken, creators of This is Oakland: A Guide to the City’s Most Interesting Places. Pick up a signed copy of the…

  Farms touch our lives in surprising ways. Opportunities are coming up this week to view a new documentary film about Occupy the Farm as well as to enjoy a local harvest dinner featuring dishes made with freshly harvested foods from farms in the Capay Valley. In This Newsletter: ● Occupy the Farm film premiere…

  It’s nice to be healthy and 100! This newsletter congratulates the City of Walnut Creek as it celebrates its centennial with a special festival at the farmers’ market. Meanwhile, we’ll all be watching as Berkeley voters go to the polls, where they might make history by passing the nation’s first soda tax. In This…

Two favorite annual events are just around the corner. Feast on artwork, poetry, and dance in Emeryville, then head over to College Avenue in Oakland for fine foods and cooking demos.     Arts Extravaganza  28th Annual Emeryville Art Exhibition Friday, October 10, 6–9pm (Opening Reception) & daily October 11–November 2, 11am–6pm Edible East Bay will be there in…

In celebration of their 15th anniversary in Temescal, Oakland restaurateurs Dona Savitsky and Thomas Schnetz would like to share this favorite recipe from Doña Tomás with Edible East Bay readers. Quesadillas with Rajas, Corn, and Salsa Roja (Makes 12) Salsa Roja: 4 Roma tomatoes 2 New Mexican chilies 4 arbol chilies 8 cloves peeled garlic…

The National Forest Foundation presents Rock the Moke, a fundraiser to protect and restore the Mokelumne River. The “Mighty Moke,” a major Northern California watershed originating in the Sierra Nevada, supplies clean drinking water to the East Bay. Rock the Moke features celebrity chef Michael Cook of Oakland’s À Côté and Rumbo Al Sur creating special…

Student Medicine Showcase Friday October 3, 11am–7pm Ohlone Center for Herbal Medicine 1250 Addison St, Ste 113, Berkeley All are invited to a craft fair marking the culmination of the Center’s herbal intensive and therapeutic programs. Browse the selection of herbal potions, lotions, and elixirs, and take a free, student-guided herb walk through the neighborhood.…

Barnraiser Makes it Easier to Crowdfund the Food Movement Barnraiser is a new crowdfunding community designed to power healthy and sustainable food to the tipping point. Barnraiser offers an easy way to influence good food by celebrating the stories of modern-day food heroes and collectively funding sustainable food and farming projects. Founded by entrepreneur Eileen…

Soda: The Series Brings Conversations on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages to Berkeley Soda: The Series offers conversations about sugary drinks and their impact on the health of our families, community, and environment. At six different events, experts will discuss the science of sugary drinks, tactics of the soda industry, and disease prevention efforts. These events take place…

Garden Fundraiser at Cleveland Elementary Help transform the hillside at Oakland’s Cleveland Elementary School into a terraced garden and learning lab. The finished project will include an incredible edible garden, a sensory flower/herb garden, and a wildlife area where students can create habitats with native plants and observe creatures in their natural environment. Donations will…

Two Weekend Events   Slow Food Solano’s Annual Tomato Day Sunday August 24, 11am–3:30pm Morningsun Herb Farm 6137 Pleasants Valley Road, Vacaville Come enjoy heirloom tomato tasting including more than 100 varieties of ripe, juicy tomatoes. Watch cooking demonstrations with area chefs, sample the results, and purchase local products from a variety of vendors. Suggested…

California Grape Harvest Workers from Oakland’s Dashe Cellars sort grapes from the 2014 harvest, pulling out any stray leaves or clusters not suited for wine. “It is going to be a very early year,” says Mike Dashe, who gets most of the grapes for Dashe Cellars wines from the Dry Creek Valley. The wineries that…

Sunday, August 17, 4–7pm Harvest of Shame Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve 1595 Railroad Ave, Vallejo California’s Institute for Rural Studies presents Edward R. Murrow’s 1960 groundbreaking documentary Harvest of Shame. The film, originally televised on CBS the day after Thanksgiving, offers a poignant exposé of the brutal conditions experienced by migrant farm workers. A discussion with anthropologist Dr. Seth Holmes…

On the Road Whether you’re headed far from home or just dreaming of distant shores, you can savor our book reviews featuring foods from afar. And if your vacation is a stay-cation, why not venture out to one of the crop swaps listed below? But before you go anywhere, we hope you’ll help us win…

Hop. Skip. Jump. Get your sneakers on! We’ll hop around in Oakland to the City Slicker Farm tour and the opening of a brand new farmers’ market, then skip across the Carquinez Strait for a food and wine celebration in Suisun Valley. Meat lovers will jump up and down about the book reviews, recipe, and…

Bayfair Center Farmers’ Market Anniversary Celebration The Bayfair Center Farmers’ Market celebrates 20 years serving the San Leandro community on Saturday June 21. All are invited to enjoy tastings from local fruit purveyors, cooking demonstrations and giveaways, activities for kids, as well as more than 40 family farmers selling fresh fruits, vegetables, and baked goods.…

Local Gems Edible Tastings at Berkeley’s Live Oak Park Fair is just around the corner, and here’s a preview to tempt your palate. We invite you to read on for stories about a nursery makeover, two chances to mix and mingle, a panel for those with entrepreneurial spirit, and the local food journalists who won…

Farmers Market Blooms at Madera Elementary Students at El Cerrito’s Madera Elementary will host a student-run farmers market on Friday, May 23 from 2:40 to 3:30 pm. The fruits, veggies, and flowers for sale were grown in the school garden, which is partially funded through a partnership with Farmigo, an online system that makes it…

Good Deeds, Great Food May is blooming with opportunities to do good by eating well. Read on for tasty ways to support your favorite local organizations, from the Berkeley schools’ Gardening and Cooking Program to the Alameda Point Collaborative’s supportive housing and job training programs. Feast on offerings from generous local restaurants and food stores…

Perfect Pairing: Cider and Doughnuts Cider and doughnuts aren’t just for autumn anymore. Craft cider is now a fashionable beverage, and doughnuts have gotten a makeover as well. With the arrival of the Cider Summit in Berkeley this week we went looking for the best local doughnuts, and surprise, surprise! They’re in Temescal! So let’s join…

    THE RODGERS RANCH URBAN FARM EXPO & PLANT SALE April 5, 2014 10am – 4pm Rodgers Ranch, 315 Cortsen Road, Pleasant Hill Free Admission Find out more at https://rodgersranchurbanfarm.org Plants •  Mini Classes • Tours 25+ vendors and educators offering everything from heirloom tomato plants to tools, to compost, and lots of advice.  Some…

Spring Planting Before you dig in to your own garden, cast your vote for Planting Justice!   Cast your vote for edible gardens! Edible East Bay has nominated the Oakland-based nonprofit Planting Justice for a grant of $500 through the Edible Feast Cover Contest. To win, we need our readers to vote by sharing our…

 Great opportunities coming up to satisfy your wine and cheese cravings: Grab Your Passport and Explore the East Bay Urban Wine Scene East Bay Vintners Alliance 6th Annual Passport Event Saturday March 15 and Sunday March 16 By Christy White “Love Your East Bay Vintner” was the theme when media got a sneak peek at the…

Art and food are close partners at Edible East Bay, but we’re snuggling up even closer at our art show next weekend. Please join us!     Opening reception Sunday March 9, 1–4pm Women’s Cancer Resource Center 5741 Telegraph Ave, Oakland Celebrate eight and a half beautiful years of Edible East Bay with some of the artists whose…

Hop on for a trot through some fun reading below: Horse Power Helps this Farm Grow It’s CSA Sign-Up Time at Live Power Farm In this year of the horse, we want to celebrate the work of Stephen and Gloria Decater at their Live Power Community Farm in Mendocino County. Under the tutelage of organic farming…

Thinking of getting chickens or spiffing up your backyard mini-farm? Here are some tidbits to feed your inner farmer! Gather and Grow 34th Annual EcoFarm Conference Asilomar Conference Grounds, Pacific Grove January 22-25 The EcoFarm Conference is just around the corner! You might think of it as a good food boot camp but much more…

Have gift shopping and entertaining gotten the better of you? Here are some ideas for dialing it down.   Mimi’s Holiday Survival Guide By Melissa Schilling The Hostess Gift: Let some other Jane Doe opt for a boring vanilla candle. Go for power flavor and bring your party hosts some serious local tang. PICKLES! Or…

East Bay Appetizer December 4, 2013 Here are some places to find gifts and holiday entertainment of the most delicious home-grown sorts. Our local artisans, crafters, and performers help make the Bay Area an exciting place to live, so be sure to support them with your holiday shopping dollars! ˜ A Seasonal Feast At the…

Our Fabulous Female Chefs! When the print version of Edible East Bay’s Winter Holidays 2013 issue hit the streets last week, there was already quite a buzz surrounding our article on Oakland’s new wave of female chefs, which we released early online. If you haven’t had a chance to read it yet, the first item…

Autumn Celebration  We’re busy at work on Edible East Bay Winter Holidays 2013 (the print magazine) which should be on the streets shortly after November 15. Meanwhile, here are some fun things to do now.   First Annual Novemberfest in the Temescal Alleys Sunday November 10, noon–4pm In the block bounded by Telegraph Ave,Clarke St,…

The 2013 Olive Harvest Is Here! In this issue of East Bay Appetizer, we celebrate the start of the California olive harvest. This oleaginous fruit has been central to Mediterranean cuisine since antiquity and is now becoming important in California as well. Here’s a bin full of opportunities to taste, cook, learn, harvest, preserve, mill,…

DIY (Do It Yourself) might just be the acronym of the decade, and at Edible East Bay we’re happy to promote the enjoyment of creativity in every way! Here are some great opportunities to learn about growing and producing your own food and engaging with your creative spirit. Remember to spread the word and encourage…

Live-culture fermentation is one of the hottest food topics of late. It’s both a fun, delicious adventure in home cooking and a way to maximize our health through what we eat. Here are a few tips and tidbits on the subject from your friends at Edible East Bay! Remember to spread the word and encourage…

Summer may be just about over, but as the good weather lingers here in the Bay Area, it’s a good time to get out for a visit with farmers from near and far, shop at your local farmers market, and cook up some vegetables from root to shoot. Special note: This issue marks the addition…

This week, we’re celebrating our heritage of good food plants, especially heirlooms and anything growing in our own gardens. Each of the past two years, since the National Heirloom Exposition began, Edible East Bay’s art and garden editor, Helen Krayenhoff, has come home from the event in Santa Rosa absolutely delighted. “I plan on going again this year. Worth the drive,” she…

August 15, 2013 Celebrate this week’s break in the Bay Area’s foggy weather 
with whatever suits your fancy . . . In this newsletter: Wild Boar Tomato Poster At Edible East Bay, we love luscious tomatoes and gorgeous art about equally, so when they come together, we’re over the top with excitement! Check out this…

Larry Hendricks, founder of Oakland Firefighters’ Random Acts Fenton’s Creamery and Restaurant has a deep commitment to community involvement.  During the entire month of November the family owned and operated retro soda fountain is raising funds for the Oakland Firefighters’ Random Acts of Kindness charity program through the sales of their Myrtle’s Creation Sundaes. The…

An opinion by Jillian Steinberger, M.A. “What I want to talk about is less important than the Frankensteinian issue of GMOs and the 2012 Farm Bill, which reduces American organic farmers’ access to markets in favor of industrial agriculture. By law. “But then again…maybe it’s not less important. Let me explain. “It’s a chicken and egg…

Hey, this is Edible East Bay editor Cheryl Koehler telling you about our December 10, 2011 treasure hunt!  I took a whole lot of friends (even some I didn’t know i knew) out to search at a select group of East Bay urban wineries rumored to have some gems at their tasting bars. Here’s a…

Floriani Red Flint from Joel Kurtz on Vimeo.

In our Harvest 2010 issue of Edible East Bay, writer Patricia Hayse Haller revealed the discovery of real Mexican corn growing at Ramirez Farm in Fremont. (Read the story here…) Mexican corn is the required ingredient for fresh corn tamales. Since these are different from the more typical tamales made of dried masa harina, we…

It was just a little piece of assurance coming from a voice at the back of the room on the evening of Monday, February 22, as we pressed fork and knife into the beautifully fatty porchetta prepared by Café Rouge executive chef, Rick DeBeaord.   The voice was that of Café Rouge executive chef and…