California Bountiful Magazine - July/August 2020

Bera Ranch has earned an enthusiastic following at

farmers markets, where customers know the seasons are short and quantities are limited for prized heirloom fruit.

Demand has continued to grow in the last several years, with many customers pre-ordering their favorite stone fruit by the case or wasting no time to approach Bera as she sets up her farmers market display. Some customers are poised to purchase their most-loved summer varieties at the first sign of their short harvest, knowing availability is limited. Talks at the market Bera and her fruit have been popular at the Napa Farmers Market for 25 years—partly because these unusual varieties herald some of the most delicious signs of summer, and also because Bera takes such pride in sharing them. Even before she began harvesting fruit in late May, Bera tried imagining how the market scene would feel this year with social distancing guidelines. She knew it would change the way people enjoyed gathering around for samples, sharing a hug and stopping to chat. “The experience is different, but as a farmer, we need to treat this like any other season. You can’t stop,” she said. “I’ve been fortunate to have a loyal following of people who love the fruit we grow. I’m grateful that they’ll still come out to support me—and vice versa.” One thing that hasn’t changed: She still takes time

Old-time favorites Some fruit grown on the ranch have roots that go back more than 100 years, which classif ies them as vintage varieties. The satisfaction of this family’s farming venture stems from knowing they are delivering tree-ripened f lavors and qualities that remind people of fruit picked from their grandparents’ backyard. They’re introducing old-time favorites to a new generation of foodies. Frank Bera concedes that farming heritage fruit “takes a lot of effort, and sometimes a lot of heartbreak. The se va r ie t ie s a re more sens it ive t han many commercial varieties.” Typically, the Beras plant five to 10 trees to see how a newly chosen variety grows. It usually takes at least five to seven years of pampering for the trees to produce enough fruit to bring to market. Currently, they grow nearly 70 varieties of stone fruit, which extends the ranch’s harvest season and ensures plenty of different offerings at each week’s market. “Depending on the fruit’s marketability and demand, we’ll decide whether to plant more of the same trees,” said Michele Bera, whose responsibilities include locating nursery sources and selling the fruit at farmers markets. “We learn by doing.”

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July/August 2020

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