Our Tomato and Pepper Partner
Farm News
Don Hilario Alvarez and his family, well known in our region for producing amazing varieties of peppers and selling at many markets, owns over 80 acres of certified organic ground in the Yakima Valley region of eastern Washington.
Hilario was one of the first farmer relationships we established 21 years ago in understanding the fundamental principle and difference of farming in the hot and dry east of the Cascades versus farming in the wet and rainy regions of our western Cascades.
We knew right away that growing tomatoes and peppers in our wet and cool valley would be impossible without a great deal of infrastructure. Instead, we immediately looked to those farmers in the eastern Washington area, and Hilario and his family were a perfect fit.
Originally from the coastal region of the Mexican state of Michoacán, Hilario Alvarez immigrated in the early 1970’s. He worked on a farm in Wapato, Washington for 8 years and then in 1981, rented 30 acres on his own and started working in his free time.
His hard work, determination and willingness to try new things paid off as he has established over 200 varieties of peppers. As well as peppers, they grow asparagus, sugar snap peas, fava beans, garlic and onions. We are so fortunate to have met them early on in our growing years, graced by Hilario and Maria at our wedding on the farm in Carnation with a pepper wreath I still cherish today.
We welcome these summer days and trying new recipes and making peppers a large part of the flavor. Red Padron peppers are my favorite as they impart a juicy, sweet and hot flavor to many Spanish dishes.
As we start to heat up with our summer days, it is always fun to keep our food infused with heat from Alvarez Farm.
Don’t forget to find us on Instagram (@fullcirclefarms).
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