Authors: Jesse Ziff Coole
Bake the custard for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
KITCHEN TIP
Instead of cherries, use any dried fruit about the same size, such as raisins or cranberries, or cut-up pieces of dried apricots, dates, pears, figs, or prunes.
pioneer profile
LUNDBERG FAMILY FARMS
For as long as I can remember, the only rice we have used in our restaurants is Lundberg, which is organically grown in California. The many rices from the Lundbergs’ family-operated farms are unfailingly delicious and of the highest quality. Their old-fashioned, earnest efforts at farming organically with environmental consciousness have remained unchanged over the years.
The company traces its roots back to 1937, when Albert and Frances Lundberg left western Nebraska with their four sons, Eldon, Wendell, Harlan, and Homer. During the Dust Bowl years, Albert saw huge tracts of land across the Midwest erode. Nutrient-giving organic matter had disappeared from the soil, and fierce winds created enormous dust clouds that made life miserable and farming impossible. Albert decided to move his family to Richvale, to begin a new life of farming in Northern California. The Sacramento Valley was the perfect setting for Albert Lundberg to pass on his legacy to his four sons.
The four Lundberg brothers were deeply influenced by their father. They believed in ecological farming long before it was fashionable. Influenced by the Dust Bowl, which was such an ecological and agricultural catastrophe, they have developed a special relationship with nature. For almost seventy years, Lundberg Family Farms has been using methods of farming that are beneficial for the soil, wildlife, air, and water.
“We believe healthy soil will produce healthy food. We believe the soil is a living thing, and as such, needs to be fed and cared for,” says Harlan Lundberg.
This special concern for the environment is equaled only by the company’s concern for product quality. Today, Lundberg Family Farms specializes in farming organic brown rice and manufactures over 150 rice products, including wild rice and multigrain pilafs. They work hard to provide consumers with rice and rice products of superior quality, wholesomeness, and flavor. And it shows in their products.
Here’s a list of companies offering organic products. It is just a sampling of all the products available, but will give you a good starting point. The company Web sites offer information about organic food and an organic lifestyle.
AH! LASKA
Chocolate syrup and cocoa
www.ahlaska.com
Alvarado St. Bakery
Whole grain breads and bagels
www.alvaradostreetbakery.com
Arrowhead Mills
Whole grain cereals, beans, flours, baking mixes, and nut butters
www.arrowheadmills.com
Baby’s Only Organic
Baby formula and juices
www.naturesone.com
Barbara’s Bakery
Cereals, cookies, crackers, and snack bars
www.barbarasbakery.com
Bearitos
Chips and snacks
www.bearitos.com
Bob’s Red Mill
Flours, whole grains, beans, seeds, and spices
www.bobsredmill.com
Cascadian Farm
Frozen fruits, fruit juices, and vegetables; fruit spreads, granola bars, and cereal
www.cascadianfarm.com
Diamond Organics
Organic produce, meats, pastries, breads, and complete meals; gift baskets, wine, and flowers, all shipped to your doorstep
www.diamondorganics.com
Earth’s Best Organic
Baby food, cereals, formula, and juices
www.earthsbest.com
Eden Foods
Canned beans and vegetables; whole grains, pastas, oils, and vinegars; soy products; condiments and sweeteners; Asian products and snack foods
www.edenfoods.com
Fantastic Foods
Grains and soup mixes
www.fantasticfoods.com
Florida Crystals
Sugars, syrups, and rice
www.floridacrystals.com
French Meadow Bakery
Whole grain breads, bagels, tortillas, and pizza crusts
www.frenchmeadow.com
Frontier Natural Products Co-op
Dried herbs, spices, seasonings; dried foods; teas; dips and dressing mixes
www.frontierherb.com
Good Sense
Dried fruits, nuts, and trail mixes
www.waymouthfarms.com
Happy Baby
Frozen baby meals
www.happybabyfood.com
Horizon Organic Dairy
Milk, cheese, sour cream, yogurt, fruit juices
www.horizonorganic.com
Imagine Foods
Prepared soups, broths, and stocks
www.imaginefoods.com
R.W. Knudsen
Juices
www.knudsenjuices.com
Lundberg Family Farms
Rice and specialty rice products
www.lundberg.com
MaraNatha
Nut butters
www.maranathanutbutters.com
Muir Glen Organic
Canned and jarred tomato products
www.muirglen.com
Natural Choice
Frozen fruits and vegetables; sorbets and ice cream
www.ncf-inc.com
Nature’s Path
Breakfast cereals, cereal bars, breads, and waffles; baking mixes, pasta, and snack foods
www.naturespath.com
Newman’s Own Organics
Snack foods, including cookies
www.newmansownorganics.com
The Organic Cow of Vermont
Dairy products
www.theorganiccow.com
Organic Valley
Dairy products and soy milk; fruit juices, eggs, and meats
www.organicvalley.com
Pacific Natural Foods
Soups, broths, sauces, and gravies; nut and grain beverages
www.pacificfoods.com
Pavich Family Farms
Raisins, prunes, and dates
www.pavich.com
Rapunzel Pure Organics
Baking chocolate, whole cane sugar, Swiss chocolate bars, coffees, cocoa drink mixes, and soup broths
www.rapunzel.com
Rudi’s Organic Bakery
Whole grain breads, rolls, English muffins, and tortillas
www.rudisbakery.com
Seeds of Change
Salad dressings, sauces, salsa, and prepared meals
www.seedsofchangefoods.com
ShariAnn’s Organic
Canned soups, beans, and pumpkin
www.shariannsorganic.com
Spectrum Organics
Cooking oils
www.spectrumorganics.com
Stonyfield Farm
Milk, dairy and soy yogurt
www.stonyfield.com
Sunspire
Cookie bars, candies, and baking chips
www.sunspire.com
Completely organic meats and poultry are still very hard to find. Here’s a list of companies that are producing some products that are either organic or as close to organic as possible.
Applegate Farms
Deli meats and cheeses, bacon, burgers, and hot dogs
www.applegatefarms.com
Coleman Natural
Beef, pork, chicken, and sausage
www.colemannatural.com
Damar Farms Organic Red Angus Meats
Beef shipped to your home
www.damarfarms.com
Davis Mountains
Beef shipped to your home
www.davismountainorganicbeef.com
Jamison Farm
Lamb and lamb products
www.jamisonfarm.com
Niman Ranch
Beef, pork, and lamb
www.nimanranch.com
Organic Prairie Family of Farms
Beef, pork, chicken, and turkey
www.organicprairie.com
Sommers Organic
Beef, pork, chicken, and other poultry, sold fresh and frozen
www.sommersorganic.com
Wholesome Harvest Organic Meats
Beef, pork, lamb, chicken, and turkey shipped to your home
www.wholesomeharvest.com
Cal-Organic Farms
Fresh fruits and vegetables
www.calorganicfarms.com
Driscoll’s
Berries
www.driscolls.com
Earthbound Farm
Fresh vegetables and fruits, including precut snack packs; dried fruit, snacks, and packaged juices
www.ebfarm.com
Frieda’s
Fruits and vegetables
www.friedas.com
Grateful Harvest
Organic packaged produce
www.gratefulharvest.com
Stemilt
Fruits
www.stemilt.com
I have only included producers in the United States, though there are many European organic wines and beers available.
Amity
ECO-WINE
Oregon reds and whites
www.amityvineyards.com
Bonterra
California reds and whites
www.bonterra.com
Butte Creek Brewery
Ale, porter, and pilsner
www.buttecreek.com
Chateau Lorane
Oregon reds and whites
www.chateaulorane.com
Cooper Mountain Vineyards
Oregon reds and whites
www.coopermountainwine.com
Frey Winery
California reds and whites
www.freywine.com
Frog’s Leap
California reds and whites
www.frogsleap.com
LaRocca Vineyards
California reds, whites, and blush
www.laroccavineyards.com
Lolonis
California reds and whites
www.lolonis.com
Maysara Estate Winery
Oregon reds and whites
www.maysara.com
Natureland
Ale and lager
www.pwbrewing.com
Organic Wine Works
Organic reds and whites
www.organicwineworks.com
Orleans Hill
California reds and whites
www.ourdailyred.com
Peak Organic
Organic beer
www.peakbrewing.com
Wolaver’s Organic Ales & Hard Cider
Ales and hard cider
www.wolavers.com
www.ottercreekbrewing.com
Acres USA
www.acresusa.com
All Organic Links
www.allorganiclinks.com
Biodynamics
www.biodynamics.com
California Certified Organic Farmers
www.ccof.org
CSA
Farms
www.csafarms.org
Eat Well Guide
www.eatwellguide.org
Food & Water Watch
www.foodandwaterwatch.com
The Green Guide
www.thegreenguide.com
Green People
www.greenpeople.org
Local Harvest
www.localharvest.org
Organic Alliance
www.organic.org
Organic Authority
www.organicauthority.com
Organic Consumers Association
www.organicconsumers.org
Organic Kitchen
www.organickitchen.com
Organic Trade Association
www.ota.com
www.theorganicpages.com
Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Program
www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/ seafoodwatch.asp
Mothers & Others
www.mothers.org
Rodale Institute
www.rodaleinstitute.org