18th Street has turned into a gourmet outpost in no small part due to the efforts of Bi-Rite Market, Bi-Rite Creamery, and 18 Reasons' Sam Mogannam. He grew up in San Francisco and lives here with his wife Anne Walker and daughters Zoe (age 8) and Olive (age 4). Mogannam told BAB that his Eat Good Food book (pre-order for $25) is due out October 18, and "18 Reasons should be in our new space end of August/beginning of September. We've expanded our programming to include more youth-focused education and we are rolling out our first summer camp for kids. We also have a barn dance fundraiser scheduled for August 13 in Sonoma on our farm."
Mogannam shared his favorite places to eat and drink:
The Sonoma Garden Park on 7th Street is a favorite spot to buy eggs from Nix Chix and veggies grown by Rebecca and her team of students as part of the Sonoma Ecology Center. Great pastured eggs and great veggies. My girls love to chase the chickens and we love to hang out in their 'fig forest'—a magical hide-a-way of tangled figs branches that is just amazing on a hot day. Any farmers market, anywhere, any time of year.
Just visited the small farmers market in Peoria, Illinois and got talking to a farmer who taught me about the different tractor implements he uses to be more efficient. I love buying food directly from the person producing or growing it.
We love going to Vella Cheese in Sonoma for their Toma—both my daughters love it.