Organic and Sustainable Businesses
Organic and Sustainable Business Directory (New feature!)
Eating and shopping organic helps the earth recover from the excesses of the agri-techno-corporate farming machine. Latest research shows we are accumulating alarming amounts of pesticides in our bodies. The present administration in Washington is blind to this and other realities about the environment. Oh yes…organic food also tastes better. If you have to choose between organic and locally grown food, the latest research says local is best for the environment, with less pressure from transportation. Of course, ideally, local and organic is best. Here's my ever-growing list for Northern California, and beyond.
Featured Business for July/August 2008
Dry Creek Peaches Healdsburg. The best. Their peaches define summer.
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Peter Lowell's A cafe/restaurant in Sebastopol, Sonoma County, CA. Local, sustainable, organic or biodynamic, creative, and quite delicious. Organic wine, beer, fish, "macro" bowl, pizza, limited meat. Great hangout, with friendly staff and comfortable atmosphere. Breakfast, lunch , and dinner. Owners Stephen and Lowell, et al, will take good care of you.
Central Market Restaurant in Petaluma. Many locally produced ingredients. Superb food. Friendly and competent wait-staff. Chef/Owner Tony Najiola, who takes great pride in this place, will often greet you.
West County Grill Sebastopol. Excellent food and drink. Most produce and meats are sustainably farmed and locally grown.
Straus Family Creamery Marshall. Organic milk, butter, yogurt, ice cream, in many fine food markets.
Community Market Santa Rosa. Owned by employees. The best fruits and veggies. And all are organic.
Wildflower Bakery, Freestone. Among the best.
Seaweed Cafe Bodega Bay. Excellent dinners prepared with care.
Toby's Feed Barn Pt. Reyes Station. Great organic fruits and veggies at low prices. Cards, books (including signed copies of The Mindful Hiker), and art by local artists. Saturday morning farmer's market.
Tomales Bay Foods and Cowgirl Creamery Pt. Reyes Station. The place to stop for prepared picnic food in West Marin, as well as fruits, veggies, cheeses, and ice cream .
Sonoma Organics Sebastopol. Helping organic farms in and around Sonoma County get their produce to market.
Marin Organic Marin Organic is an association of organic producers in Marin County whose livelihood is based on a respect for nature and a sense of place. As the primary link between farmers and eaters, Marin Organic is committed to creating the first all-organic county in the nation.
Food by Design Sebastopol. Flax Jacks and other tasty foods for a healthy diet.
Tartine Bakery San Francisco. Our personal favorite. Organic ingredients. A French country bakery (and wonderful sandwiches) in the heart of the Mission District.
Niman Ranch If you eat meat, Niman is the best for you and the planet. Also, the Niman Ranch Fund assists nonprofit organizations that support humane animal husbandry, family farming and sustainable agriculture.
Laguna Farm Sebastopol. The best of all worlds: local and organic. Families & individuals receive a weekly box of fresh, sustainably grown seasonal produce at a better-than-retail price!
Olema Inn Wonderful restaurant in West Marin, featuring almost all organic ingredients.
Drake's Beach Cafe Local, organic ingredients and just about the best view of any restaurant in West Marin. From Inverness, follow the signs to Drake's Beach, heading towards the lighthouse.
Bistro des Copains One of our favorites. Great food (often local), great service, great atmosphere, in a little town that time forgot, Occidental CA.
Greens Restaurant Fort Mason Center, San Francisco CA. Organic, sustainable, vegetarian and/or vegan, and delicious. Great dining room looking out onto the Marina and SF Bay. Affiliated with the SF Zen Center/Green Gulch Farm.
Hair Masters Sebastopol CA, 707 829-2443. Organic facials. Non toxic shampoos. Natural fabric clothing. And Annette, the hair master herself.
French Garden Restaurant , Sebastopol CA. Featuring fresh produce from owner Dan Smith's organic farm. Good food, good drink, good music, good service, good atmosphere. Give this conscious eatery a try!
(Please let me know of others in your area)
