Frequently Asked Questions
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There are many different ways of finding our peaches (and nectarines).
One very intimate option is to apply to our Elberta
Peach Tree Adoption Program (applications open once a year
in January). Otherwise you can typically find our organic peaches
and nectarines during a few weeks of the summer at some markets
and restaurants in the Bay Area, Southern California and other
parts of the country.
In the Bay Area: We ship directly to Berkeley
Bowl (Berkeley), one of our favorite places. Our peaches can also often be found at Chez Panisse (Berkeley) and
Water Bar (SF). In the past our peaches
have also been on the menu at the French Laundry (Napa).
In Southern California: We work directly with some Restaurants in Southern California:
Clementine Restaurant (Los Angeles) and Craft (Los Angeles).
We are a real working farm. We have learned the importance of balancing our desire to share and educate with the hard work of farming, thus we have designed PARTICULAR opportunities for sharing and engagement: the Elberta Peach Tree Adoption Program and other special events (see our events calendar). If you would like to see our farm, we ask that you honor our work and consider ONLY the aforementioned opportunities.
Yes AND No. David Mas Masumoto speaks at many public events throughout the year. His schedule is available here. Unfortunately, he cannot accept every invitation that is offered to him. He does his best to do as much as he can, while never missing the work that needs to be done on the farm (an incredible feat of scheduling indeed). But he also loves to interact with others and groups - please contact him.
A few local nurseries sell Sun Crest trees. Sun Crest is a USDA developed tree and therefore readily available to the public - part of the government working to assist small farmers. At the Masumoto Family Farm we enjoy that idea - government working for the common good.
We are located approximately 20 miles south of Fresno, California.
We have created special events for public interaction: the Elberta Peach Tree Adoption Program (application process begins in January) and other special events (see calendar). We do NOT accept drop-in visitors.
In the past, we have sold our fruit in local Farmer's Markets. At this time, our operation is not set up for Farmer's Markets; we simply don't have the "people power" and our trees produce too much volume. However, as mentioned earlier, we have created a "direct marketing" opportunity: the Elberta Peach Tree Adoption.
Yes. There are no "arm chair" or "windshield" farmers in on our farm. Everyone in the Masumoto family is involved with farm work and David Mas Masumoto works most days until the last light of day has dispersed.
It's a challenge - Mas tries to squeeze in writing everyday and especially in the off-season during winter months. Amazingly he has managed to produce a book every two to three years. Epitaph for a Peach was published in 1995. Harvest Son in 1998. Four Seasons in Five Senses in 2003. Letters to the Valley in 2004. Heirlooms in 2007. And in 2009, Wisdom of the Last Farmer. He also manages to write a regular column for the Fresno Bee and has been published in numerous other publications.
In the past, our peaches and nectarines have been "on the menu" at these fine restaurants: Blue Hill, New York; Per Se, New York; Zuni Cafe, SF; Waterbar, SF; Chez Panisse, Berkeley; Flea Street Cafe, Palo Alto, Napa Rose, Anaheim, Craft, Los Angeles; Clementine, Los Angeles. (Note: if you know of others, please contact us!)
We currently produce for Sun-Maid Growers of California, which is a farmer cooperative. Our raisins are found in their organic packages.