Treat Yourself to Oranges at the Belmont Farmers Market

Natalie Soares, 27, wasn’t exactly sure she was going to be a part of the family business a couple of years ago after graduating from San Jose State University—even though she started working farmers markets at age 15.

Natalie is in the fifth generation of her family to be working in the business—Ferry Farms. The farm along with Bill Ferry Ranches has been around for more than 100 years and has a total of 200 acres.

Originally started by her grandfather, Natalie’s father took over when he passed and revamped the farmer’s market aspect of selling. He bought new trucks, trailers and other equipment to make their 25 market a week journey up and down California easier.

Last Sunday in the nice July heat, Ferry Farms sold Washington Navel oranges, very sweet and easy to peel. Valencia oranges will be available and are perfect for juicing. They sell for $1 a pound, or you can buy a bag with 10 to 12 pounds of oranges for $8. A real steal. In fact, by noon Natalie only had a handful of oranges left and one half gallon of juice. Half gallons sell for $7 and smaller ones for $3.

Natalie, however, isn’t normally the one you see behind the table at the ; she was filling in this past week for Leanne. Natalie usually works in the office in Woodlake, Calif., about a four hour drive from there to Belmont. With a husband and three year old daughter at home, she’d rather be close to her family.

Natalie gave me a rare insightful look into the real business. Increased taxes on farmers could potentially force Ferry Farms to stop going to farmers market, as profits are not too high.

“Most of the money we make at markets goes to the labor: picking, the supplies—trucks, gas, bags, bottles, caps, tents, tins, tables…if we cut out farmers markets and sell to a packing house then it cuts all those extra expenses out.

Keeping the farm in the family too may be a challenge. Her father was looking to pass it along to Jason, Natalie’s husband. Her cousins are also interested to keep what her grandfather built.

Natalie however, has plans of her own. She is considering going back to school for either nursing or business, two very different genres for different reasons.

“Do I want to secure a job and start making money right away? Or do I want to do what truly makes me happy?” she said.  

Find Ferry Farms every Sunday at the market. Besides the many varieties of oranges, they also sell lemons, olives, pomegranates and Natalie’s favorite mandarins in season.