Hello, I’m Karen Schuppert and I’m a farmers’ market addict.  It started long before I became manager of the market in St Helena , in the Napa Valley – California’s premier wine country.  When you have limitations on what you can grow at home (woe is me), the next best thing is the local farmers market for a bounty of fresh and nutritious produce, bursting with color and flavor.  No extended shelf life, week-long road trips, excess packaging.  Just pure, whole food in it’s prime.

When I’m not at the FM’s perusing my way down vegetable lane, you can find me in the kitchen, crafting my next meal…which always includes (a healthy) dessert.  And you know practice makes perfect (or disasters) but in the name of R and D, I do find ways to develop some pretty tasty creations.  Some of them make it to the menu plan in private residences where I teach classes at the customer’s whim.

Managing the St Helena Farmers’ Market inspired me to take my new-found interest in sustainable food to new heights.  I enrolled in the nutrition program at Bauman College and became a Certified Nutrition Educator four years ago.  Most recently I have competed their Natural Chef program, with an emphasis on ‘whole foods wellness.’  I am available as a personal chef and focus on seasonal, gluten-free cuisine.  As with Bauman’s model, I ‘eat for health’ (and certainly for pleasure!); cook for love, and share all for the greater good.

Enjoy the ride..or the walk…and hope to see you ‘on site!’

Karen