Frog Hollow Farm: Get your Local Fresh Fruits Directly from California
Can buying fruit be a force of planet-friendly good? Find out how.
Buying local is always the more planet-friendly option. But what if the goods you want are imported from other countries? We are here to tell you you may be surprised at what is locally available.
Why shop locally?
Distribution of goods from far locations is a huge contributor to carbon emissions, pollution, and other environmental factors.
Let's think about it.
The emissions released in other countries to produce the goods and services we use at home directly result from how the US imports goods.
In 2018, the United States imported 1.4 billion metric tons of CO2 as "embodied emissions." These emissions came from the production of goods and services overseas that were consumed in the U.S. While created outside the U.S., they accounted for about a quarter of the total emissions linked to U.S. consumption that year.
When you go into a grocery store, you will see so many options for every product. For example, take butter; you can get butter from Canada, Australia, etc. But what if everyone could buy products that were only locally available?
The result would be reduced emissions, and the local economy would be better supported to thrive. Of course, companies would have to lessen their profit and only serve their communities, reducing their reach and market share. Because of this, emissions continue to rise, and pollution issues grow.
Luckily, we can make active decisions to shop locally, reducing our own emissions by choosing to opt out of purchasing from nonlocal locations.
If you are looking for fresh fruits within California, you're in luck. We have a great recommendation from Frog Hollow Farm. In the US, we are accustomed to believing that fruits such as oranges or avocados need to be imported from other countries. But there are local farms within the state that can meet your needs!
What is Frog Hollow Farm?
Frog Hollow Farm is an organic and regenerative farm that ensures that the health of their land is improved instead of depleted.
Their products are farmed from a 280-acre farm in Brentwood, California. Their founder, Farmer Al, began these regenerative farming practices in 1988 after being uncomfortable with following traditional farming practices of using pesticides and chemicals.
This is what inspired Frog Hollow Farm to be wholly regenerative and responsible and determined to do things differently for the sake of the health of the farm and those who would eat the food.
Planet-friendly features:
Frog Hollow Farm produces high-quality organic fruits and is offered as a subscription box to California residents. Their trees produce peaches, nectarines, cherries, apricots, apriums, plums, pluots, mulberries, pears, olives, persimmons, quince, apples, Meyer lemons, blood oranges, and more.
Why do we like them?
They are certified organic with CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) and are committed to regenerative practices.
They produce 3,000 tons of compost a year out of their fruit waste, tree prunings, neighbors' manure, decommissioned boxes, and coffee grounds. Everything gets used!
They also donate hundreds of pounds to the Contra Costa Food Bank.
All fruit that is too damaged goes into the farm's compost piles, where it is recycled into nutrients that feed the soil and trees.
Why is regenerative farming so important?
1. Soil Quality
Soil quality is vital for supporting plant growth and maintaining ecological balance. Regenerative farming practices focus on enhancing soil health by increasing organic matter, improving soil structure, and encouraging biodiversity. Unlike conventional farming, which often depletes soil quality through monoculture and chemical use, regenerative practices like crop rotation, cover cropping, and composting naturally restore and improve the soil.
2. Soil Erosion
The use of heavy machinery, monoculture, and lack of ground cover in conventional farming weakens the soil and makes it more susceptible to wind and water erosion. Regenerative farming methods help prevent this by maintaining soil cover, using techniques such as no-till farming, and planting cover crops that hold the soil in place.
3. Degradation
Soil degradation occurs when the soil becomes less fertile, often due to over-farming, deforestation, or unsustainable agricultural practices.
4. Pollution and Contamination
Conventional farming relies heavily on synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, which can leach into nearby water sources and contaminate the environment. These chemicals can harm aquatic life, pollute drinking water, and disrupt ecosystems. Regenerative farming practices reduce or eliminate the need for these chemicals by promoting natural pest control and using organic fertilizers like compost.
5. Chemicals
The use of chemicals in traditional farming, such as synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, harms both the environment and human health. These chemicals often degrade soil health, kill beneficial organisms like earthworms, and contribute to pollution of water systems. Regenerative farming, on the other hand, minimizes or eliminates chemical use by fostering a natural ecosystem where pests are controlled by beneficial insects and soil fertility is maintained through composting and crop rotation.
How do traditional farming practices affect the environment?
Plant Roots and Soil Health
Traditional farming often does not allow plants to grow deep roots, which are essential for soil health. Deep roots anchor the soil, preventing erosion and allowing plants to access nutrients deeper in the soil. Without deep roots, soil health deteriorates over time, leading to poor water retention, reduced nutrient cycling, and increased vulnerability to extreme weather events like droughts and floods.
To make room for crops and livestock, forests are often cleared, which leads to habitat destruction, loss of biodiversity, and increased carbon emissions.
Our Mission
Transforming business models to build a regenerative future.
Carom focuses on:
Planet-friendly practices that protect what we have and look beyond the short-term
Circular systems to maximize resource use and minimize waste
Restorative principles to rebuild and regenerate natural systems and habitats
Together, with a spirit of collaboration and innovation, we can build a better future for people and the planet.
Discover our Living Market
Our online marketplace proudly showcases other vetted sustainable businesses similar to Frog Hollow Farm that contribute to a Living Economy. Every company featured in our market has been evaluated, ensuring their business model is a more planet-friendly option for everyday products. When you choose to support our featured businesses, you're not just making a purchase; you're investing in an economy that is better for people and the planet.
