Tony on the Delicious Perks of Bay Area Life

While growing up in New York was great, the Golden State really is the gold standard of living, if you ask me! The weather is incredible. Not having to shovel snow for five months of the year is amazing.

But it’s the food here in California that really makes me happy. Fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and legumes, seafood ... you name it, we’ve got it! I head out to our local farmers’ market here in Fremont most weekends, and I’m telling you: We’ve got it good here.

The berries alone when in season are astonishing. We’ve got strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, mulberries, raspberries, and these blackberries-disguised-as-raspberries called tayberries. We’ve got rhubarb—fresh rhubarb, which my neighbor Maggie makes into the most delicious pie you’ve ever tasted.

The vegetable line-up is all-star as well, with artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, collard greens, kale, peas and leaks. Having this cornucopia of goodness on hand has really made a difference in how I eat, and how I think about food. I’m definitely eating more greens. And given the communal meals we have here at Priya, I’m also eating these ingredients in completely new ways. Last week, for instance, Kamal made this rose pudding that had flowers in it! It was delicious.

Here at Priya, we eat a lot of the food we grow, and the rest comes from our local farmers. And when the ingredients are as fresh as they can be, even my old casserole recipe bursts with new flavors.

Eating Locally Is Conscious Living

The first step to a more sustainable future is understanding where your food comes from and what is grown, quite literally, in your own backyard. Eating locally helps me personally, and it also allows me to make an impact globally. I’m eating healthier and I’m reducing my carbon footprint. It’s really a win-win if you ask me!

Are you a foodie? Contact us to find out more about our local farmers’ market, our community garden and communal meals!

Here are some reasons why eating locally is the way to go:

Variety. There are so many options: produce, legumes, seafood. We have so much to choose from!
Eating Seasonally Saves Money. Food produced close to home often costs less. I often plan my meals around what’s in season and it’s been an effective money-saving strategy.
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint. Eating locally, seasonally, and organically is much less costly to our planet: our air, water, energy, and natural environment.
Community Building. Community is what we’re all about here at Priya Living, and buying locally is a great way to make personal connections. It’s a way to learn about the region we live in and to support our local farmers. Do you want to know what grows here and why? Ask your local farmers. If you’re like many of us here at Priya and have a green thumb, chatting with a local farmer is the perfect opportunity to get insider tips and tricks on how to grow the perfect garden veggies!
Innovative Cuisine. Priya Living’s residents come from all over the world. Using locally grown produce in international recipes has been a fantastic way to introduce both new and old favorites to our neighbors. We’re literally eating locally and thinking globally each time we make a meal.