Throughout my career at Acme—where we are all about creating experiences that enhance people’s lives; proud of our beliefs and values; committed to giving back; actively engage in making a difference in the local community—I’ve always looked for those values when choosing suppliers. To me, it’s important not only that they care about culinary excellence, but also how the food is grown, how the soil is cultivated. Do they consider sustainability? Are their workers’ needs well provided for? Is the business charitable?
In other words, how well aligned are they with Acme’s core principles?
The 350-acre Tutti Frutti Farms, located on the Santa Ynez River in the Santa Rita Hills, family-owned and certified CCOF organic since 1988, has core principles that are beautifully aligned with ours. We met Tutti Frutti through Chef Logan Jones, our former chef de cuisine. We buy fabulous heirloom tomatoes, winter squash, bell peppers, snap peas, parsnips, and hot peppers from them. The heirloom tomatoes are like nothing we’ve ever seen—incredible streaked, striped and uniquely shaped Cherokee Purple, Vintage Wine, Brandywine and Persimmon varieties. Stunning and incredibly flavorful.
We also admire Tutti Frutti for their innovative practices: they recently received a USDA Grant Program for their regenerative soil practice of continuous planting of cover crops like vetch and clover which enables them to keep the soil healthy and mineral-rich. And like Acme, they are proud to partner with nonprofits and charities to help prevent and minimize food waste.
They are hardworking, driven, and extremely personable. We love working with them. They are the perfect match for us.
You could say we’re two peas in a pod.
This partnership goes beyond just sourcing ingredients. At Acme, we believe that knowing where our food comes from and the people who grow it creates a deeper connection to what we serve. When our guests taste a dish featuring Tutti Frutti’s vibrant heirloom tomatoes or sweet winter squash, they’re not just experiencing exceptional flavor—they’re participating in a sustainable food system that respects the land and the community. Both our teams regularly collaborate on seasonal menu planning, ensuring we showcase these incredible organic ingredients at their peak. It’s this kind of thoughtful collaboration with like-minded partners that allows us to deliver on our promise of creating meaningful culinary experiences while staying true to our values.
This farm-to-table relationship extends beyond our kitchens and into our communities, creating a meaningful cycle of giving back. While Acme actively engages in making a difference locally, Tutti Frutti Farms parallels this commitment through partnerships with numerous regional charities that fight food insecurity and minimize waste. Their donations support organizations like Veggie Rescue, which delivers rescued produce to low-income families within 24 hours, and Food From The Heart, providing healing meals to those in medical crisis. When seasonal abundance occurs, they collaborate to ensure that surplus reaches those who need it most. It’s this shared dedication to nourishing not just our customers but our entire community that makes our partnership with Tutti Frutti truly special—transforming the simple act of growing and serving food into a powerful vehicle for positive change.
