Simply Organic (31 page)

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