Hang Time

Every Saturday morning I’m in town, you’ll find me hanging out at the Auburn Farmers’ Market in the Courthouse parking lot on Auburn Folsom Rd. That’s also where you’ll see our Chef Eric Alexander, purchasing raw foodstuffs for the restaurant. We know most farmers and vendors by name, and when we are able, we love to showcase their exceptional produce and meats on our menu.

When it comes to farmers in Nevada County, however, I didn’t know much. . .until I was invited to participate in two events recently: “An Evening with Michael Pollan,” sponsored by Grass Valley’s The Center for the Arts; preceded earlier by a seat at the table for the 2013 Farmer Appreciation Dinner sponsored by BriarPatch Co-op.

Both were true eye openers.

The original draw for me was the opportunity to hear Michael Pollan, one of America’s most influential food journalists. Author of the groundbreaking “Omnivore’s Dilemma,” this exposé provides the most remarkable and chastening insights into our food supply since Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring.”