July 8, 2014 – A serious fire at famed Manresa Restaurant in Los Gatos Monday morning has shocked the culinary world and created a feeding frenzy over haute biodynamic produce grown for Manresa at Love Apple Farms in the Santa Cruz Mountains. “What happened in the early morning hours yesterday was a setback,” owner/chef David Kinch said in a statement. “Rest assured we will be re-opening Manresa….better and stronger to again welcome you, our loyal guests.”
Early reports said the two alarm blaze caused $300,000 in damage and speculated it was caused by a leaky gas meter outside the building, but Kinch said it will take some time to accurately assess the damage. Fortunately no one was injured. Meanwhile the restaurant is closed indefinitely, affecting staff and all of its purveyors–particularly Love Apple Farms.
“It’s impacting a boatload of people, but especially hard on us because they were our only customer,” farmer Cynthia Sandberg told EMB. But the entrepreneur jumped into action announcing a small, 25-member CSA–that sold out within hours. A second and third CSA for later in the summer were added and Sandberg is opening a produce stand on the farm.
The available CSAs run for four weeks, from August 6-27 and from September 3-October 1. A weekly box of produce costs $39 and must be picked up at the farm. “People have been asking to buy our produce for years so here’s their chance,” Sandberg said.
The Farm Stand will be open from noon-7pm on Wednesdays and 10am-5pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Love Apple Farms, located on Vine Hill Road, is currently growing: Sun Jewel and Charentais melons, 60 varieties of tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, onions, tomatillos, beans, squash, mizuna, chrysanthemum greens, radishes, beets, turnips, arugula, basil, carrots, cucumbers, ground cherries, kale, leeks, sorrel, celeriac, and sunchokes.
The fire has forced the farm to reduce hours for its 12 employees and cutback its apprenticeship program from 6 to 3 students.
About the author
Deborah Luhrman is publisher and editor of Edible Monterey Bay. A lifelong journalist, she has reported from around the globe, but now prefers covering our flourishing local food scene and growing her own vegetables in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
