Stoney Paradise Farm Produce
kelowna Kelowna, BC, Canada

Not a bad spread for Thanksgiving! And I seem to have been giving thanks for the beautiful Einset grapes. Actually thrilled that they have held up so well! They can get ugly in a hurry. And... what? New Girls picked this week, riper than you see elsewhere in August. The only question is will people brave the elements to come to @vanmarkets Trout Lake and Kits this weekend. #troutlakefarmersmarket #coronationgrapes

Relax. Gus @muchogustos chef at @published.on.main didn’t get tomatoes this weekend so don’t send pissy emails that your restaurant was snubbed. Look at the excited smile over the Coronation grapes you might have had if I weren’t now dead to you. I look forward to seeing Gus taking grape gastronomy to the next level. I’ve known Gus for years since his tenure at @peartreeburnaby, and watched the ink spread across his flesh. I still haven’t seen his love for me committed to flesh but suspect he has a special place on his ass reserved for me. Asses to asses or something like that.

One of the reasons I love doing what I do is the welcomes I receive. Marlo and I have often happened to arrive at @laquercia_lufficio at staff meal time. Adam graciously invites us to join them. I thought I would post about their unconditional love as I had no tomatoes. Unfortunately when front of house heard this they tried to rip the pizza from my hands. Fortunately the kitchen had my back, led by Johannes who was glad to have the tomatoes gone so he could fill the joint with his mushrooms. Kidding ( of course) I wouldn’t want my feelings for @laquerciakitchen to seem too sentimental.

Thought it would be a washout harvest to match a washout market. Surprise! The plants weren’t half empty. I gambled the San Marzano and New Girls would survive and didn’t rush them off. Sorry restos! The humans get some of their own. Of course if the market is a washout you’ll see me ( trying not to look desperate) Brave the conditions and see me @vanmarkets Trout Lake. #troutlakefarmersmarket #actuallyvineripened #sanmarzanotomatoes

This is my mom, Mildred, packing Sungolds, proving you can be useful even if you’re not youthful. Today she is 89. I am so lucky to have such a mom. Truth is there probably wouldn’t be Stoney Paradise without my mom. Her Welsh humour and empathy through crises and her willingness to pitchin when I am in the shit might suggest Momma’s Boy Tomatoes as truth in advertising. It isn’t always easy. Once under the influence of the Sopranos and under stress she excoriated me with a barrage of f-bombs. My biggest regret is that she never came to market to share in that side and have more people get to know this wonderful woman. Happy birthday mom.