Today we’d like to introduce you to Jane Hayes.
Hi Jane, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
For the past 25 years, I have proudly owned and operated Monterey Farms, a small local business rooted in Salinas, California. What started as a chef’s dream to share the true taste of fresh artichokes has grown into a company that celebrates the California’s State Vegetable and agricultural heart of the Central Coast. At Monterey Farms we take the “seconds”-artichokes, that don’t make it to the fresh market- and give them new life. Each artichoke is hand trimmed down to their heart, lightly steamed and seasoned to create the first fresh, refrigerated artichoke heart. Our process not only reduces food waste but supports sustainability-donating all our artichoke trimming to nearby ranchers for cattle feed. It is a full-circle effort where everyone wins; the farmers, the ranchers, the environment and most of all the customers who get to enjoy an authentic, field-fresh taste of California.
I would be remiss not to mention our new CHEF BUTTER, offering full flavor, fresh ingredient compound butters. Our unique flavors were developed by our Cordon Bleu, French trained R&D chef, bringing culinary excellence into your home kitchen while maximizing flavor and convenience.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Owning a small business is never easy and takes a certain tenacity and willingness to fail, in order to succeed. Amongst the myriad of challenges that I have faced, I have come to realize that there needs to be a dedication to your goals, never giving up or quitting. Resetting, restarting and refocusing as many times as I need to, despite my own doubts. As many small business owners experience, I wear many hats. I put on my Sales hat in the morning hours, my running cap in the early afternoon, my critical analysis, strategic helmet is sometimes hard to get on in the mid-afternoon, while always wearing my deliberate, appreciative, sensitive and available headpiece for my amazing crew! This is not all, not to mention, the evening walks and talks with my husband, or myself, as to what in next for Monterey Farms… Always innovating and dreaming!!
As one might imagine, juggling and balancing all these hats, that come with their own challenges, is a continued reality for any small business owner!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
After almost 3 decades working in commercial kitchens, I made it my goal to provide a fresh tasting artichoke heart to both the commercial and home chef alike. Using this nation’s artichokes, grown on the central coast, I developed a process that lightly steams and seasons our hand-trimmed artichokes for a true artichoke taste. Not mushy or briny, not packed in access oils or brine, but with a fresh from the field taste. My work involves being a good leader in all aspects of my business, including taking care of my amazing crew, continue growing and building new business, working within necessary parameters to maintain a viable entity, and being a good steward of what I have been afforded.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
When I think about the Monterey/Salinas area and the past 5 decades I have made my life here, raised my children and will eventually retire here, there is not much I do not love about this area! Okay, I could complain a bit about too much fog in the summer, or how the traffic gets crazy, to and from work, but all in all I not only love the beauty of the area, but most of all the people and friends I have made over the years!
Contact Info:
- Website: www,montereyfarms.net
