Earthbound Farms, Carmel Valley, California USA

The tomatoes were indeed fantastic, warm from the sun, earthy from the vine. But that was just the start. Flowers abounded, fruit and vegetables were piled all around. Fields spread left and right. Hay bales provided seats and tables. Linda made a bee line to the best ginger cookies we have ever tasted after stocking up our larder with red, yellow and tangerine tomatoes. (We travel in a mini-van just for such occasions!) But as much as our selfish gratification's were being satisfied, we were reminded of the important role naturally grown produce plays in the quality of fine cuisine. Alain Ducasse said to us that the role of the fine chef is to find the very best ingredients and then get out of their way. Overly modest, because it takes great talent to know how to let the ingredients take the lead and how to pick and choose the blending of the tastes, but he was making a very valid point. Without the very best inherent tastes, it does not matter what the chef does, all he can do is try to make up for taste that is lacking.

Few chefs are lucky enough to be able to maintain their own kitchen gardens like Alain Ducasse, Jean Bardet, and Marc Meneau or plant and maintain their own vineyards and produce their own wine line Michel and Jean-Michel Lorain and Marc Meneau but these days there are marvelous farmer's markets in the US and the village markets in France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and other European countries where many stands are organic or, in France, "Biologique."

As Earthbound Farm says of its philosophy "At Earthbound Farm, we believe that organic farming helps preserve and protect our greatest natural resources. We cultivate our crops according to the highest organic standards, by nourishing and replenishing our soil, protecting our water, and honoring the health of those who work the land and the customers who will enjoy our harvest."

" We work in harmony with our natural ecosystem to produce the healthiest food possible...We grow our crops without the sue of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides or fungicides. We build healthy soil, essential to growing strong plants that are naturally resistant to pests and diseases by planing nitrogen-building cover crops and adding nutrient-rich compost and natural fertilizers. The Earth is our home. How we care for the Earth shows how we care for ourselves, our children, and future generations. Every step we take determines our future. May we walk with wisdom."

Visit their web site and learn more. See below.