For Immediate Release

Public Contact:  805-529-6266

Fall Brings Delicious Apples and More to the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Markets

       Ventura County, Calif. – Getting your ‘Apple a Day’ is made easy this fall with the large variety of fruit available, at the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Markets.  Statistics indicate that apples help prevent bone loss, lower cholesterol and even fight cancer.  And, other popular fruits such as pomegranates, which are loaded with antioxidants, help to protect against heart disease, cancer and all sorts of problems associated with aging.

       Besides being a great snack, apples also make for ideal recipes to satisfy ones sweet tooth.  Nancy Rydell of Fair Hills Farms who participates in the Ventura Downtown Market, Thousand Oaks and Moorpark College Foundation Certified Farmers’ Market, is currently offering Gala apples, early Fuji’s, Honey Crisp, Granny Smith, Jonagold and the Pink Lady Apple, which can be used for virtually any type of recipe.

       Mike & Mary Shore of Santa Paula participate in all of the Ventura County Markets and bring additional offerings this fall including pomegranates, Hachiya and Fuyu persimmons.  In addition, the Shore’s will offer miniature pumpkins, just in time for the fall season.

       Ryan Fife of Fife Farms also offers healthy choices, providing an abundance of pomegranates, grapes and unsulfured dried fruit, which carry health benefits, especially for those suffering with respiratory problems.

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       Consumers can use their fall selections with this delicious recipe:

Fresh Apple Cake with Warm Topping

Provided by Nancy Rydell, Fair Hills Farms

2 eggs-beaten

2 cups sugar

½ cup softened butter

2 cups sifted flour

1 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. cinnamon

2 tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. salt

4 cups shredded Granny Smith Apples (with skin)

--Cream sugar and butter.  Mix dry ingredients in separate bowl.  Add beaten eggs and dry ingredients to sugar/butter mixture.  Stir in apples.  Pour into greased 9x13 pan and bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

Topping –

2 cups sugar

1 cup butter

1 cup evaporated milk

1 tsp. vanilla

--Combine ingredients and warm on stove.  Serve sauce warm over cake.

     The community of Ventura is served with two Certified Farmers’ Markets – Wednesdays at the Pacific View Mall, front west parking lot on Main Street from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and on Saturdays in Downtown Ventura on the corners of East Santa Clara and Palm Streets from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon.  The Thousand Oaks Farmers’ Market is held Thursdays at The Oaks Shopping Center at the east end parking lot, Wilbur Road and Thousand Oaks Boulevard from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Santa Clarita Farmers’ Market is held on Sundays at the College of the Canyons, Parking Lot 8 on Valencia Boulevard from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon.  A new market was added in 2009, the Moorpark College Foundation Certified Farmers’ Market (an activity sponsored by the Moorpark College Foundation), held on Saturdays in Parking Lot G, eastside on Campus Park Drive from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.   

        For more information on the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association, call 805-529-6266 or visit the website at www.vccfarmersmarkets.com.     

      

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