Business Is Booming For Heirloom Beans

Business Is Booming For Heirloom Beans CROPS New Crops Steve Sando knows a lot about beans especially rare heirloom beans He eats them frequently writes about them and grows them to sell at his store and on the internet
    “I now have 25 varieties that are grown here in California and 10 that are grown for us in Mexico by small farmers there ” says Sando “I try to grow two years worth of beans at a time but sales have been so good that we run out of favorites from year to year ”
    Sando says that all it takes is a taste to get hooked That’s what happened when he tried his first heirloom bean the Rio Zape He’s been spreading the word ever since and says the message is well received
    “Once people get a taste they get excited and begin to treat different beans like different wines ” says Sando “When I grew my first Rio Zapes I didn’t know what to expect They were similar to the pinto beans I liked but there was so much more going on Hints of chocolate and coffee mixed with an earthy texture ”
    Sando sent FARM SHOW a few pounds of his favorite beans to try along with suggested recipes This writer compared Sando’s black beans with commercial black beans purchased at a local co-op Sando’s Midnight black beans were thinner skinned cooked up more tender and had superior flavor
    Sando started out growing his own beans in his vegetable garden and expanded from there as sales grew Today he has 8 growers mostly in the Central Valley of California but also in Oregon Washington and New Mexico He even has a grower in Poland
    “We give them the seed and then buy back everything at the end of the season ” he says “The yields are not as good as conventional dry beans but you get more per pound ”
    When he started out Sando promoted his beans to area chefs and their interest trickled down to their customers Growth in sales has been by word of mouth and social media including Sando’s blog Facebook Twitter and other efforts Internet sales now account for 70 percent of sales
    “When I started I was the loneliest guy at the farmer’s market ” says Sando “Now people post pictures of themselves opening a box of our beans ”
    As new customers are added to the list Sando adds growers from different areas He notes that some beans taste best grown on the coast of California while others taste best grown in the Central Valley The Mexican beans do best in the mountains where they were developed
    “I’m always looking for new growers but even if they don’t grow for us the more people who do a good job growing and promoting heirloom beans the better ” says Sando “I love talking to people and encouraging ‘agripreneurs ’ I would love for American food to be even better ”
    Sando has written books devoted to his love for heirloom beans: “The Rancho Gordo Heirloom Bean Grower’s Guide ” “Heirloom Beans” and “Supper at Rancho Gordo ”
    Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Rancho Gordo New World Specialty Food 1924 Yajome St Napa Calif 94559 ph 707 259-1935; toll free 800 599-8323; customerservice@ranchogordo com; www ranchogordo com; www facebook com/ranchogordo

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