Thousands of Words from the 2017 Inaugural Santa Cruz Farmers' Markets Pop-Up Breakfast

Every summer the Santa Cruz Farmers' Markets hosts a series of pop-up brunches. I was lucky enough to go to the very first one in 2012; and every year since I've been invited back for an event or two as a photographer. What delicious fun!

Today was the inaugural event for the 2017 series. You can read more about the line-up here. As for the title of this post: Thousands of Words...well, you know what they say about a picture. And I took a lot of pictures.

I thought I'd share a few...with a few words alongside the photos. These events are about the farmers and the seasonal produce...

...they are about the people. In this case Nicki Zahm and Nesh Dhillon of the Santa Cruz Farmers' Markets wrangled Chef Erin Lampel of Companion Bakeshop (their Facebook page) and her team cooked for all 145 of us. The sister duo, Nicole and Natalie, of Santa Cruz Cider Company shared their hard cider. The youths of FoodWhat?! served. And we heard from Sarah at Fiesta Farms.

...they are about the community...and connecting people to their food producers.

...they are about the drinks. That dry hard cider was fabulous.

...and, of course, they are also about the food. Here's Chef Erin's menu...

FRESH BREAD WITH AVOCADO

Companion bread with mashed avocado, lemon, spices, and micro greens

EARLY SUMMER SALAD

Apricots, raspberries, blackberries with arugula and a simple vinaigrette

COMPANION QUICHE WITH SAUSAGE

Fiesta Farms eggs, spinach, scallions, mushrooms, and herbs

...with a size of El Sachichero nettle sausage

ROASTED ROOTS

Potato, carrot, and leek with thyme aioli

SWEET FINISH

Lemon teacake with fresh strawberries and whipped cream

It was a beautiful day on the north side of the Monterey Bay. I can't wait till the next one.

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