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In Case You Missed It

Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008

Plenty of holiday gift opportunities in the valley

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Before browsing through national mail-order catalogs or Web sites this holiday season, consider buying locally produced products from companies here in the Northern San Joaquin Valley.

The economic impact of buying local is significant, according to Randy Svedbeck, research manager for the Stanislaus Economic Development & Workforce Alliance

For every $1 million worth of locally made food items sold -- such as gift baskets filled with flavored nuts or cheeses -- 11 to 12 jobs are generated in the community, Svedbeck calculated.

"We're going to spend the money anyway during the holidays, so we might as well buy locally made products that are locally sold," Svedbeck said. "That way, our money has more of a chance to circulate around the community."

That's because local companies hire local people, buy local ingredients, pay local taxes and donate to local charities. That's not the case for purchases of say, Wisconsin cheese or hickory-smoked beef sticks from Ohio.

The Northern San Joaquin Valley, fortunately, produces many gift-quality products, and frequently farmers and other retailers sell their goods directly to consumers via the Internet.

Whether it's chocolate-coated almonds, portobello mushroom goat cheese, organic boysenberry spread, semiboneless squab or salmon jerky, the valley's agricultural producers sell a broad assortment of products online.

So do other local business people, whose companies create and sell clothing, variety gift baskets and, of course, wine.

Here's a list of some of the local companies selling holiday fare online:

NUTS

House of Almonds, Modesto: Tin of chocolate cherries, almond clusters and snow drift almonds, $35, www.houseofalmonds.com, 800-225-6663.

Mid Valley Nut Co., Hughson: Sinfully cinnamon tin of pecans, cashews and almonds, $20, www.nutsandsuch.net, 883-4491.

Hughson Nut, Hughson: 25 pounds of natural sliced almonds, $85, www.hughsonnut.com, 883-0403.

Stewart & Jasper Orchards, Newman: Deluxe almonds, dried fruit, dipping sauces, popcorn and biscotti, $100, www.stewartandjasper.com, 862-9600.

Nunes Farms, Newman: 24-ounce trio of chocolate truffles, chocolate toffee and mocha almonds, $24.50, www.nunesfarms.com, 800-255-1641.

Roberts Ferry Nut Co., Waterford: California nut and fruit gift pack, $55, www.robertsferrynuts.com, 800-962-6887.

Waterford Nut Co., Waterford: Four-pound almond variety pack, $31, www.waterfordnut.com, 874-2317.

Bella Viva Orchards, Denair: Two-pound box of chocolate-covered fruits and nuts, $24, www.bellaviva.com, 800-552-8218

Buchanan Hollow Nut Co., Le Grand: Four pounds of chocolate-covered pistachios, almonds, walnuts and raisins, $28.50, www.bhnc.com, 800-532-1500

CHEESES

Fiscalini Cheese, Modesto: Spotted-cow basket of cheese, $25, www.fiscalinicheese.com, 800-610-3276.

Meyenberg Goat Milk Products, Turlock: Four-ounce wedge of gourmet portobello mushroom jack cheese, $5, www.meyenberg.com, 800-891-4628.

Oakdale Cheese & Specialties, Oakdale: Combo pack including cheese, sausage, nuts and crackers, $39.50, www.oakdalecheese.com, 848-3139.

Hilmar Cheese, Hilmar: Gourmet cheese, snack and gift basket $100, www.hilmarcheese.com, 800-577-5772.

BEVERAGES

Clayton Coffee & Tea, Modesto: Bag of Kona extra fancy coffee beans, $32, www.claytoncoffee.com, 576-1120.

E.&J. Gallo Winery, Modesto: Magnificent merlot three-bottle variety pack, $45, www.thebarrelroom.com, 888-371-9463.

Silkwood Wines, Modesto: Three-liter magnum bottle of syrah, $150, www.silkwoodwines.com, 800-550-9463.