Hi SLO Veg Family & Friends,

This week feels like one of those turning points in the season. Every harvest seems to bring something new, and I couldn’t be more excited to share it with you.

The biggest news…our first red tomatoes are finally here! Javier and Irma Martinon of Martinon Farms picked the first tomatoes of the season for this week’s boxes. There’s nothing quite like that first summer tomato. The flavor is nearly there, and as the vines keep producing and soak up more summer sunshine, they’ll only get sweeter and more delicious.

Frank Martinon has been keeping us busy, too, with the first harvest of his beautiful organic romaine lettuce. It’s crisp, tender, and just what summer salads are made for. He’s also harvesting some of the sweetest organic blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries, and they have been absolutely incredible. If you’re looking for a little extra treat this week, they’re hard to pass up.

We’ve also been excited to see more summer favorites arriving each week. Babe Farms delivered gorgeous specialty beets, Cincinnati radishes are back, and Costa May Farms is celebrating its first harvest of sweet bi-color corn on the cob—one of those unmistakable signs that summer is in full swing. Their first green bell peppers have arrived, too, along with sweet Walla Walla and red onions, and everything is looking beautiful.

I love this time of year because every week brings something new. Your Harvest Box is full of fresh inspiration, and if you’re planning meals for the week, take a peek through the Marketplace. Maybe it’s a few extra tomatoes for BLTs, some fresh-picked corn for the grill, or a basket of berries to enjoy with breakfast. It’s always fun to build on what’s already in your box.

One thing I’ve been making on repeat is a simple homemade vinaigrette using Chaparral Gardens’ fresh vinegars. The Ole Mole, Tuscan, and Blackberry Vinaigrette are all delicious with this week’s harvest. Just whisk your favorite with a little olive oil, Dijon mustard, a drizzle of honey, fresh garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Toss it with this week’s romaine, tomatoes, onions, and radishes, and you’ve got a fresh summer salad that lets the produce do all the talking.

I hope you enjoy this week’s harvest as much as we enjoyed gathering it for you. Thank you, as always, for supporting our local farmers and for sharing in the excitement of each new crop as it comes into season. We truly love being able to bring the best of the season to your table.

With gratitude, 

Rachael & SLO Veg Team 💚