Apples just starting out at G – Bar -G Ranch in Half Moon Bay, California
Gil Gossett II heads up G – Bar – G Ranch in a small canyon near the town of Half Moon Bay, California. Gil started working on the 47-acre ranch full-time about a year ago when his father passed away. They grow and provide fresh-picked, tree-ripened, certified organically grown, fruit from their orchards which have been in production for over 35 years.
Gil enjoys working hard in the beautiful surroundings of the secluded ranch. He loves being able to see the fruits of his labor and, at the same time, continue the passion that his father embodied.
When asked about the importance of selling his produce to California school children, as well as other Californians, Gil responded, “We pride ourselves on tree ripening our produce. I feel that few people, let alone children, know what such fruit should taste like and what the texture should be…Children are especially in need of more healthy foods today and should have the opportunity to experience a real-life juicy, crisp, delicious apple.”
One of Gil’s favorite varieties they grow and eat is the Gordon apple. The Gordon apple is a larger, red-variegated, sweet and crisp apple which is well suited for eating, as well as baking. The Gordon apple, which does not appear in most stores, has been a wonderful surprise to Gil’s customers.
September is National Childhood Obesity Month. In California nearly one in three children are considered overweight or obese with low-income children disproportionately impacted. Schools that have shifted to include more locally grown, farm fresh products see an overall increase in school meal participation. Considering that for many low-income children school meals might be their only reliable source of nutrition, they stand to benefit the most from healthy changes made to school lunches.
Recognizing the need for a system to help schools procure more local produce, the CDFA Office of Farm to Fork developed the California Farmer Marketplace. To sign up click here or contact us with questions or feedback.