Fresh Vintage Farms: Deliciously Sustainable
Fresh Vintage Farms uses imperfect almonds + walnuts to produce a line of nut oils and almond mayonnaise. Sustainability has never tasted this delicious.
Fact: California almonds are a no-waste crop. The Golden State’s almond farmers and processors are constantly looking for creative ways to use every single nut, hull and shell. Obviously, the majority of the almond nuts are packaged and enjoyed across the world. Meanwhile, almond hulls are often repurposed in livestock feed, while the woody shells are crushed and used for livestock bedding or soil amendments.
Giving new life to imperfect almonds
California almond growers handle their crop with the utmost care. However, every harvest still yields a small percentage of physically imperfect almonds. These misshapen, scratched or chipped almonds aren’t any less delicious or nutritious; they’re simply a less attractive product.
For almond growers like Tommy and Tara Tickenoff, finding creative ways to give these almonds a second life has become a passion. In fact, their efforts to put imperfect almonds to good use inspired an entirely new family business.
Fresh Vintage Farms: Kid-tested, mom-approved
In 2019, Tommy and Tara founded Vintage Fresh Farms, using what Tommy jokingly refers to as “reject” nuts to create a line of almond and walnut oils, and more recently, almond oil mayonnaise. “One of the reasons we developed our products is that we have five children,” Tommy reflects. “The amount of condiments that our kids go through. Whether it’s mayonnaise, ranch dressing,” he laments, trailing off with a grimace. “We care about what they eat. Having healthy oils, healthy products in their lives is just a very important concept. So our mayonnaise and our oils are all kid-tested and mom-approved.”
Fresh Vintage Farms’ Products
The line-up at Fresh Vintage Farms currently consists of four healthy, “clean” products: Almond oil, walnut oil, almond oil mayonnaise and garlic-infused almond oil.
Cold-pressed almond and walnut oils
Fresh Vintage Farms crafts cold-pressed nut oils, using the same process used to make extra virgin olive oil. This technique helps to preserve the Omega-3s, vitamins and antioxidants, and protects the rich flavors of the finished oil. The almond oil has a smoke point of 415F, making it an excellent choice for high-heat cooking, while the almond and walnut oils make a delicious addition to baked goods, salad dressings and marinades. Garlic lovers are sure to love Fresh Vintage Farms’ intensely flavored garlic-infused olive oil. “We call it a vampire killer,” Tommy laughs. “It’s a fantastic product.”
Almond oil mayonnaise
Fresh Vintage Farms is proud to have produced the world’s first-ever almond oil mayonnaise. Tommy boasts, “It’s healthy, tastes great, and has clean ingredients.” Fresh Vintage Farms makes their almond mayonnaise with 100% almond oil – a healthier alternative to the soybean oil used in popular brands on grocery store shelves.
Farming sustainably for generations
Tara and Tommy proudly source all of the almonds used in Fresh Vintage Farms products from California’s Central Valley. Tommy explains that “97% of California farms are family-owned, from generation to generation. What we do here is valuable, it’s important, and we push the envelope on sustainability, on production measures.”
Fresh Vintage Farms products aren’t just a healthier option; they’re a delicious illustration of California’s story of sustainable farming and agricultural innovation. Tommy adds, “It’s truly a success story and something that really needs to be told.”
Where can you find Fresh Vintage Farms products?
Fresh Vintage Farms walnut oil, almond oils and almond oil mayonnaise are available on freshvintagefarms.com, at select West Coast retailers and at Amazon.
Article by Hilary Rance. Photography by James Collier + Hilary Rance.