Get to Know the Market: Alvarez Organic Farms
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Thinking back on the summer, one of my best memories has been cooking special dinners with my dad. And at most of these meals, you could find produce from Alvarez Organic Farms at the center of the plate. We ate a ton of shishito peppers roasted with sesame oil. We ate tempura green beans, red peppers, red onions, garlic and my favorite, cranberry beans. (And of course, lots of dried beans that we soaked and cooked the next day!) So, to wrap up this season’s interviews, I asked Steve Alvarez to tell me more about his story.
Q: Your dad, Hilario, started your Lower Yakima Valley farm over 30 years ago and you’ve been certified organic for over 20 years. And according to your web site, you have a very large mix of produce—200 varieties of peppers and 300 different varieties of vegetables. How did you get started?
A: I started right around your age. I used to help my dad with minor tasks around the farm every day after school.
Q: Could you share with us how your passion for organics began and if it's evolved?
A: My passion for organics came from my father, he wanted to be sure his family and the customers like you are eating only the best and that has been passed down to my own family.
Q: What do you sell most of?
A: Peppers....peppers and more peppers! It’s what we are known for and my dad’s favorite!
Q: Do you have any great recipes for your beans that you could share? We've really enjoyed cooking with them.
A: Beans make any meal great! I eat them as a side at almost every meal to keep a healthy heart. They are best simple, boiled and salted, then you can use them in many different recipes once they are in this form!
Q: How is your business doing with the pandemic? Anything customers can do to help?
A: We are still staying afloat this year, despite all the market closure! Yes, we ask that you keep showing (safely) up for your community, just like we do for you, week after week!
Q: How long have you been coming to the QAFM?
A: Oh boy that’s a tough one. Might have been before I started coming to markets, possibly early 2000s.
Q: Where can we find your products after QAFM closes for the season?
A: We will be working on an online website so you can order your favorite beans and some other dried goodies.
Q: Anything you'd like to share with us that we haven't asked?
A: Thank you so much for what you are doing. You remind me a lot about myself when I was your age—I always wanted to be a writer or journalist, but I’m busy farming food. Keep up the good work!
Interview by QAFM reporter Max C.