In California we are so lucky to have a bounty of fresh produce available all year long. We are an agriculture state and many of our favorite fruits and vegetables are grown not far from where we live. Sacramento specifically is America's Farm-to-Fork Capital, meaning that we are home to nearly 8,000 acres of small-business farmland. Sacramento also has the largest certified farmers market in California.

Making your charcuterie board with seasonal fruits and vegetables can both ensure freshness and make it extra festive special events. For example your 4th of July charcuterie board can feature a bounty of fresh summer fruits and colorful veggies.

If you aren’t already stocked with a hostess-worthy charcuterie board, I’ve purchased both my stone and wooden boards from Etsy. I have curated a custom collection of beautiful handcrafted boards on Etsy that you can actually shop!

Why is shopping seasonal produce important?

When you're shopping for produce, you most likely have a slew of options to choose from. When you make the decision to purchase locally grown fruits and vegetables that are in-season, you'll benefit from the following:

You're supporting your own community.
Reducing your carbon footprint. When food needs to transported from distant places it requires more gas (aka pollution into the environment).
When produce is in season, you usually have an abundant supply which decreases your cost.
Fresh flavors and more nutrients. Imagine an apple that has been transported clear across the country v.s. an apple grown just a couple miles from your home. All that travel time reduces its freshness, exposes it to pollutants on the road and ultimately reduces its nutritional value.

All About Charcuterie Boards

Charcuterie boards have become very popular in recent years for hosting friends and family at gatherings. These boards are also known as “grazing boards” because it’s a more casual style of serving food.

Your guests can peruse the plethora of small bites available on the board and pick and choose their favorites for their own plate. Charcuterie boards traditionally have a mix of cheeses, cured meats, olives, nuts, fruits (both fresh and dried), and small vegetables with dips.

You can serve alcoholic beverages alongside your charcuterie board, wine and cocktails are especially popular. You can also create themed boards such as dessert, sweet and savory, holiday themed, etc. You can also tailor your board for certain dietary types such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, paleo and keto.

I have another blog post which is a complete resource for creating your first charcuterie board.

You’ll find the following: