Recipes and Stories from the Masumoto Family Farm | Marcy Masumoto | Talks Google

TL;DR

Marcy Masumoto, a peach grower and farmer, discusses her family-owned farm and the importance of connecting fruit with those who enjoy it.

Transcript

JASON CRANE: Good afternoon, everybody, and welcome to Zagat Guest Chefs at Google. My name is Jason Crane, and I'm a chef here on campus, and it is my proud pleasure to welcome Marcy Masumoto today from Masumoto Family Farms in Del Rey, California. They are a local family-owned peach grower and farmer, and they also do nectarines, and raisins, and... Read More

Key Insights

• 🔽 The Masumoto Family Farm is a small, family-owned peach farm in California.
• 🧑‍🌾 The farm has been operating for over 100 years and is currently run by the fourth generation.
• ✋ They practice organic farming and focus on producing high-quality fruit.
• 💁 "The Perfect Peach" is a combination of recipes, stories, and information about the farm and its practices.
• 🧑‍🌾 Pheromones are used on the farm to control pests and prevent damage to the fruit.
• 👨‍⚖️ The farm focuses on sustainability, profitability, and social justice in their farming practices.
• 🍑 Different varieties of peaches have different flavors and characteristics.
• 🍌 Ripeness can be determined by the feel and background color of the fruit.

Questions & Answers

Q: What does "The Perfect Peach" mean to you and your family?

The perfect peach is not just about the fruit itself, but also about the story, history, and place it comes from. It is about connecting the fruit and the place with those who enjoy it.

Q: What is the significance of "The Perfect Peach" being a literary cookbook?

"The Perfect Peach" is not just a collection of recipes. It is a combination of recipes, stories, and information about the farm and its practices. It aims to connect the reader with the farm and the fruit in a meaningful way.

Q: What are some of the challenges and rewards of being an organic farm?

Transitioning to organic farming was a challenge, as they had to develop new methods without the use of chemicals. However, the rewards include producing environmentally friendly and high-quality fruit. The farm is also sustainable, profitable, and socially just.

Q: How do pheromones play a role in pest control on the farm?

Pheromones are scents emitted by insects that can confuse potential mates. By releasing pheromones in the orchard, the male moths are unable to find the females, preventing mating and reducing damage to the fruit.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Marcy Masumoto is part of the Masumoto Family Farm, a small family-owned peach farm in California.

• The farm has been operating for over 100 years and is currently run by Marcy's daughter, the fourth generation to work the land.

• They grow peaches, nectarines, grapes, and practice organic farming.