FELTON

Apple celebration at farmers market

The Felton farmers market (120 Russell Ave.) hosts the Apple-A-Day Fest from 1:30-5:30 p.m. on Sept. 10 during the regularly scheduled market. Activities will include apple pressing and tastings of fresh apple juice and fermented cider with Santa Cruz Cider. Plus, chef Jessica Yarr (The Grove) is teaching a free vegetable butchery class from 3-4 p.m. There will be live music and face painting too. Visit santacruzfarmersmarket.org for information.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

News from Living Swell Kombucha

Living Swell Kombucha is now at the Felton farmers market on most Tuesdays; it won’t be there on Sept. 10 or 17 but plans to appear every week from Sept. 24 through the end of the season (Oct. 29). Plus, it’s at the Saturday Aptos farmers market (Cabrillo College), and Saturday Westside Santa Cruz and Sunday Live Oak market, every week. Starting Sept. 25, it will also be at the weekly Wednesday downtown Santa Cruz market.

Customers can purchase bottles in three sizes and select from rotating seasonal flavors. Summer favorites include Stoney Surfer (mixed stone fruit), Blue Moon (blueberry, basil and lemon), and Pleasure Point Pina (pineapple, jalapeño, lime). You can also find Living Swell at local businesses such as Soul Salad, Beer Mule, Loft Coffee, Mariposa Coffee Bar and The Midway.

To stay in the loop, visit livingswellkombucha.com or follow it on social media (@livingswellkombucha on Instagram and Facebook).

WATSONVILLE

Tickets available for Center for Farmworker Families dinner

The Center for Farmworker Families is holding Harvesting Hope: A Farm-to-Fork Fundraiser from 4-7 p.m. on Oct. 5 at Mariquita Farm. Tickets are available for $125. This includes an organic, plant-based four-course meal, local non-alcoholic beverages, a farm tour and presentations from speakers such as Adam Bolaños Scow, leader of the Campaign for Organic and Regenerative Agriculture. Ticket sales benefit the center’s work to provide education, advocacy, and essential supplies and services to improve the lives of farmworker families. Chef Maria Gonzalez and Chef Emily Beggs are preparing dinner; the menu will be announced soon. Get details and tickets at eventbrite.com/e/harvesting-hope-farm-to-fork-fundraiser-tickets-971474425157.

SANTA CRUZ

New Leaf hours shorten as closure nears

The downtown location of New Leaf Community Markets (1134 Pacific Ave., 831-425-1793, newleaf.com) has new hours effective Sept. 4: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Formerly open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., the store is shortening its hours as it prepares to close this location Oct. 15. The new downtown Santa Cruz store, which will be on River Street, will open in 2025.

SANTA CRUZ

Ocean Film Festival, Sante Adairius collaborate

The Ocean Film Festival is partnering with Save Our Shores and the Sante Adairius Midtown Portal at the Rio Theatre on Saturday. When doors open at 6 p.m. for the festival, Sante Adairius beer will be available, with a portion of sales benefiting Save Our Shores. The Ocean Film Festival showcases a collection of ocean-inspired films from across the world. A portion of ticket proceeds also benefits Save Our Shores. Visit riotheatre.com for details or to buy tickets.

Family Fun Day benefits Common Roots Farm

Family Fun Day, from 1-4 p.m. Sept. 14 at Common Roots Farm (301 Golf Club Drive, commonrootsfarm.org), benefits the farm. Tickets are $10 per person or $25 for a family of four. There will be a farm stand, food and drinks for sale, and pony rides. The Banana Slug String Band will perform from 1:30-3 p.m. Common Roots Farm is an organic, urban farm where people with and without disabilities grow healthy food and live in community.

Tickets on sale for hospital foundation gala

The Watsonville Community Hospital Foundation is hosting its inaugural Twilight Tapestry Gala from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Sept. 21. The event, held on the rooftop of the Watsonville Civic Plaza Building (275 Main St.), costs $175 per person. The benefit begins with a Champagne reception, and the program includes a sit-down dinner from Swingtime Catering plus an auction and an opportunity drawing. The Watsonville Community Hospital Foundation’s mission is to ensure “high-quality, sustainable healthcare for everyone in the Pajaro Valley and surrounding regions.” See eventbrite.com/e/twilight-tapestry-gala-tickets-926880383177 for details and to buy tickets.

Salsa contest entries welcomed, salsa event on deck

The Watsonville Youth Center is hosting its inaugural Salsa y Salsa event Sept. 21. It has two components: the food salsa (as in chips and salsa) and salsa dance and music. There is a competition for salsa chefs and the registration deadline is Friday. The event, at 30 Maple Ave., will feature salsa-tasting and judging, live salsa music by Edgardo Cambon and Candela, and salsa dancing. Leading up to Sept. 21, the center is offering free dance lessons from 6:30-8:30 p.m. every Wednesday and Saturday for ages 11 and up. Visit watsonvillerec.com for details.

Scrumptious Fish & Chips popups

Scrumptious Fish & Chips has several upcoming popups. It will be at Balefire Brewing Co. from 4-8 p.m. Friday, and at Humble Sea Brewing Co.’s Westside Santa Cruz location from noon to 7 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays for the next four weekends (through Sept. 29). Other appearances include the Tuesday Felton farmers market from 1-6 p.m. Sept. 10 and at the same time on the remaining Tuesdays in September. See the full schedule at scrumptiousfc.com.

Sushi Market Sprouts has upcoming closure

Sushi Market Sprouts (300 7th Ave., 831-465-1177) will be closed from Sept. 8-10 for a short vacation. It will reopen at noon, Sept. 11. The shop’s inventory includes fresh grab and go sushi (made twice daily on-site), packaged Japanese sweets and snacks, and ceramic dishes (bowls, sake cups, etc.).

GILROY

Winemaker dinner at Sarah’s Vineyard coming

Santa Cruz-based Colectivo Felix, led by chef Diego Felix, is partnering with winery Sarah’s Vineyard for a dinner on Sept. 14. Winemaker Jonathan Houston will be in attendance. Guests will enjoy a five-course Argentinian-inspired dinner with wine pairings. Menu highlights include 2021 Sarah’s Vineyard Pinot Noir, Rancho La Viña with grilled boneless pork rib, berry and hibiscus demi-glaze, fried alliums, and redwood dust; and 2020 Sarah’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate paired with grilled lamb chops, capsicums, pomegranate molasses, and charred purple yam. View full menu and buy tickets for $160 at colectivofelix.com/upcoming-events.

Quick Bites, compiled by Tara Fatemi Walker, is your weekly helping of Santa Cruz County restaurant, food, and drink news. Send items to sentinelfood@gmail.com (Sunday 7 p.m. deadline for that week’s column). Want local food & drink news as it happens? Follow the Sentinel’s food crew on Twitter @santacruzfood.