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Marissa McKeague 

San Luis Obispo Resource Guide

  • Writer: Marissa McKeague
    Marissa McKeague
  • Feb 24, 2021
  • 5 min read

San Luis Obispo, CA, has been my hometown for 26 years. I have been a visitor to the local farmers’ market and have been interacting with the beautiful agriculture since I was born. I was a member of the local 4H club, where I learned about agriculture, sustainability, and ethics concerning the local environment. I am currently a graduate student at the National University of Natural Medicine. Everything I state below is my own, and I am not profiting off any part of this resource guide.


This resource guide is not designed for individuals with a specific health condition. This resource guide’s target audience is locals and visitors of San Luis Obispo interested in eating, harvesting, and preparing food locally. I will be including restaurant and activity suggestions and nutrition information regarding the foods that grow locally. I will include my favorite recipes as well as my local insight. I will continue to update this guide as I find new hidden gems around the county!

SAN LUIS OBISPO CLIMATE:


San Luis Obispo, California, is a beautiful place to live. The average weather in San Luis Obispo is the summers are warm, arid, and clear, and the winters are cold, wet, and partly cloudy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 41°F to 78°F and is rarely below 33°F or above 89°F. In San Luis Obispo, we are in Zone 10 for plant hardiness.

GROWING GUIDE:


The blog Homestead and Chill has created a detailed growing guide to highlight the best growing practices for year-round harvesting. Because San Luis Obispo has such a beautiful and moderate temperature year-round, that we can produce and harvest various produce all year. To best take advantage of this luxury, we must follow the climate growing guide provided. There are seasonal patterns for growing and harvesting food. When referring to figure 1, we notice that there are two seasons in which we can plant our outdoor gardens, once in the spring (February- April) and once again in the fall (September- November). Once we start harvesting, we can begin processing our abundant cornucopia.

FOOD PREPARATION:


There is such fantastic access to food and agriculture in San Luis Obispo to grow and prepare food year-round to take advantage best. This includes preserving produce in various ways. The preservation methods I have found most sustainable are freezing, drying, fermenting, and canning. It is nice to enjoy all the fresh fruits and veggies during the warm months in the summertime. The summer also brings excellent opportunities to store and preserve our harvest. The winter months bring yields consisting of hardier vegetables stored in the refrigerator for more extended periods.

PRESERVATION METHODS:


FREEZING:

Freezing is the simplest preservation method I am going to discuss. Fruits such as berries, bananas, and peaches can all be frozen in bite-size pieces, place in a plastic bag and be sure to remove as much air as possible.


DEHYDRATION:

There are a variety of methods to dry produce. You can leave tomatoes in the sun to air dry, then place in extra virgin olive oil and herbs for juicy dried tomatoes. Another option is to turn your oven to the lowest temperature setting while your produce, like peppers, hangs out in the oven in a single layer on a sheet tray. The most efficient option I have found to dry your harvest is to purchase a dehydrator. There are so many options at so many different price points. I have linked my favorite below. My favorite thing to dry is my spicy peppers; once they are thoroughly dried, I can grind them into a powder to season my food year-round.


FERMENTATION:

Fermentation is the breakdown of carbs like starch and sugar by bacteria and yeast and an ancient technique of preserving food. Common fermented foods include kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, tempeh, kombucha, and yogurt. Fermentation depends on the environment; with San Luis Obispo’s climate being moderate with warm summers, the fermentation process will be speedy. Watch your fermentations closely. I have linked here to a blog that has so many resources to learn how to ferment correctly.


CANNING:

Canning is a method of preserving food in which the food contents are processed and sealed in an airtight container. Canning provides a shelf life that typically ranges from one to five years, although it can be much longer under specific circumstances.

HOME APPLIANCES:


DEHYDRATOR:


CANNING TOOL KIT:


FERMENTATION JARS:


RECIPES:


HOT SAUCE:

I have linked a video below to YouTube where they make fermented hot sauce, my favorite way to eat my probiotics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL8UJPQ_zoU


FRITTATA:

I have linked a video where I make frittata my favorite way; the produce used are easily accessible in San Luis Obispo. https://youtu.be/KQC4qdu__d8


GREEN SAUERKRAUT:


SOURDOUGH PANCAKES:

https://homesteadandchill.com/sourdough-pancakes/


DRIED LEEK POWDER:


HOW TO FREEZE TOMATOES:

https://homesteadandchill.com/freeze-tomatoes/

WHERE TO BUY LOCAL:


SLO FOOD Co-op:

https://www.slofood.coop/ A cooperative exists to serve its members, but what makes co-ops unique is that the members are also the owners. In addition to getting the products and services you need, you also have a say in the business decisions your cooperative makes. Rather than rewarding outside investors with its profits, a co-op returns surplus revenue to its members in proportion to how much they use the co-op. This democratic approach to business results in a powerful economic force that benefits the co-op, its members, and the communities it serves.


Lassens Natural Foods and Vitamins:

https://www.lassens.com/ In 1971, Oda Lassen saw the need in her community for wholesome, low-processed, and additive-free foods and supplements and thus opened the doors of the first Lassen’s Health Food Store. Over 40 years and ten stores later, Oda’s family and our dedicated Lassen’s team continues to be driven by her original commitment to providing 100% organic produce and uncomplicated, wholesome, good-for-you products.


SLO County Farmer’s Markets:

https://slocountyfarmers.org/ My favorite thing to do in San Luis Obispo is visit the Farmers Market; the people and food are unbeaten.


The Thursday night farmers market in San Luis Obispo in San Luis Obispo County’s most well-known market and, though it may be on hold, it's a must-visit when the market returns! Farmers sell deliciously ripe produce while other vendors offer artisanal goods and delicious meals. Live music and entertainment add to the festive atmosphere.


Nearly every day of the week, there’s a farmers market happening somewhere in San Luis Obispo County. Each provides a tasty array of the freshest local produce available. Chat directly with the farmers who grow the food and stock up on snacks and goodies for the day’s adventures.


My favorite resource for cooking and sourcing foods locally is the San Luis Obispo Farmer’s Market Cookbook written by Kendra Aronson (https://www.slofarmersmarketcookbook.com/).


RESTAURANTS:


Eating out in San Luis Obispo is such a lovely treat; the restaurants I am highlighting below are restaurants that source locally, seasonally and practice ethically.

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE:


San Luis Obispo is nestled between the nine sister mountains and the ocean along Highway 101. There are endless opportunities for adventure in San Luis Obispo!

OCEAN ADVENTURES: https://visitavilabeach.com/


 
 
 

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