Is there a more perfect summertime pastime than spending the day outside, cooking up a storm on the barbecue with a drink in hand?
The short answer is no—when the air is warm, the sunlight lingers well into the night and the urge to grill is great, then the only solution is to don an apron, light up those coals and get something savory a-sizzling.
Luckily, the North Bay has an extra ace up its sleeve when it comes to stunning friends, family, and foes alike with locally-sourced, organic food products, most of which come from within 50 miles of the grill they will be cooked on.
From oysters to baked goods, fruits and vegetables, and all the meats and cheeses, Marin County is the perfect place to source a gourmet grill-n-chill experience locally. Freshly foraged mushrooms, free-range eggs, meats, honey from bees that call the Bay their home, and so much more—these ingredients are close enough to taste them.
Make a plan to showcase some ultra-seasonal items on that cookout menu and shop local this summer to show everyone just how well the Bay can really barbecue.
Frequent Farmers’ Markets
The first and most obvious place to buy local produce for a summertime barbecue is any and all of Marin’s farmers’ markets, which have once again begun in full swing for the duration of California’s (long) warm season. With just one trip to a festive outdoor food market, one can buy everything they need to make a sumptuous spread. Though the prices may be a little bit higher than the deals at a grocery chain, it’s well worth the extra penny knowing the money is supporting a smaller, more local wallet.
Plus, the summer ambiance of a day at the farmers’ market is the perfect way to set the mood for the rest of the day—live music, a cheerful crowd and people happily selling their wares (edible and not-so-edible). One could even pick up a few bouquets and some party favors on the way to add an extra wow factor to the barbecue.
Find a Farm
Of all the options for locally sourcing that summer cookout, finding and creating a relationship with a local farm may be the best way to go—especially since the concept of farm boxes is again taking off. Now, getting a box of fresh, locally-grown produce delivered right to the door is easier than ever. This means that whoever is cooking has more time to kick up their heels and enjoy the ambiance of an outdoor cooking experience. Plus, this takes the guesswork out of figuring out what’s fresh and when since no one knows how to select seasonally appropriate fruits and veggies quite like a local farmer.
Another similar option is to collaborate with the Agricultural Institute of Marin and check in on their Bounty Box pickup program, which aims to support farmers and feed communities. There are also options such as the Indian Valley Campus Organic Farm and Garden and West Marin’s Foodshed co-op (to name only a couple). Some examples of local Marin farms include Stemple Creek Ranch, Star Route Farms, Fallon Hills Ranch, Devil’s Gulch Ranch, Marin Sun Farms, Draper Farms and Clark Summit Farm.
Shop Local Butchers
Marin County is lucky to have a long list of locally run small businesses selling everything one could possibly need, want or even imagine for a big backyard barbecue. From Mill Valley and Sausalito up to Novato and all across Marin’s western front, the selections for shopping locally are plentiful indeed.
Some great ideas for getting started may be as simple as a walk up and down a town’s downtown strip to get a feel for what is available and where. Do that often enough and soon the best local shops for wines, cheeses, meats and more will become abundantly apparent.
Want oysters? Head down to Hog Island! Feeling a pasta salad on the side? Try Mill Valley Pasta Co. And if outsourcing the whole barbecue experience sounds more appealing, there’s always Pig in a Pickle, Marin’s favorite barbecue restaurant, where one can either eat in, order out or have a whole barbecue catered directly to the venue. Alternatively, a trip up to Lombardi’s BBQ in Petaluma is the perfect way to get some sister county grill-inspo.
Booze-B.Q.
Of all the delicious food products available off of Marin’s local market, a must-have for any grill out is an alcoholic beverage or two (to stay hydrated through all that hot work over the coals, of course). And, considering the abundance of fresh craft beer and artisanal wine that is grown and processed in the area, the only hard part may be choosing from so many options…especially when the search parameters are widened to include Sonoma and Napa.
Grow a Garden
The most obvious way to ensure this summer is jam-packed with fresh produce is to simply grow it at home. And considering the temperate climate of Marin County, getting a garden going shouldn’t pose too much of a problem. Simply visit a locally owned garden shop, such as Green Jeans Garden Supply in Mill Valley, and decide what kind of produce would be best blackened over an open fire with a little bit of salt. After that, the rest is a simple matter of planting, watering and waiting for the food to finish growing. In the true community spirit, consider making gardening deals with neighbors to trade crops and keep the cookout menu constantly changing.
Keep Community Clean
One aspect of the North Bay that makes it such an amazing place to shop locally for food, as well as what makes it ideal for outdoor cooking experiences, is the environment itself. From the temperate summer days with clear skies and sparkling bodies of water to the hustle and bustle of the farmers who work the land to provide nourishment to those nearby (as many have for generations), the North Bay must be kept that way.
After the meats are grilled, the memories made and the coals have grown cold, always be sure to double-check for fire hazards and clean up any mess made in the process—after all, part of the joy of locally sourcing a summertime barbecue is knowing that it helps to support the local community, and protecting the land from litter and wildfires is an integral part of that.
