Local, Seasonal Produce:

Packed with products from many local vendors and farmers, Whole Foods Market knows the importance of community support. “El Dorado Honey Company is one of my favorites,” says Steven Smith, store team leader at the Folsom location. “Jerry, the owner and beekeeper, comes by with a new delivery weekly, so we know it’s really fresh. His honey is a great product, and can be used as an alternative sweetener. In season now are yellow peaches from Twin Peaks in Newcastle. They’ve also just harvested the first apricots of the season.” The first product Whole Foods Folsom sold from Twin Peaks was amagaki persimmons. Smith says these are delicious to eat whether firm or soft. They come into season in October, so be sure to check them out this fall. And perfect for this time of year with grilling season, Smith highly recommends Snow’s Citrus marinades and dressings, as well as Granite Bay Farms marinades and sauces. Location: 270 Palladio Parkway, Folsom, 916-984-8500, wholefoodsmarket.com
//  ALSO CHECK OUT:   El Dorado Hills’ Certified Farmers’ Market (Sundays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.) at the El Dorado Hills Town Center and the Historic Folsom Farmers’ Market (Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.) around the Historic Railroad Turntable and Public Plaza

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Fresh-Baked Bread:

At Great Harvest Bread Co., the specialty is whole-grain breads made with simple, fresh ingredients. “We mill our whole wheat flour every day, right in the bakery,” explains Jayme Richards, who has owned the Folsom location with her husband Dan since September 2013. “We are best known for our classic Honey Whole Wheat bread,” Jayme says. “This loaf is made with five simple ingredients: freshly milled 100-percent whole-wheat flour, water, yeast, honey and salt. We also make a local favorite known as White Chocolate Cinnamon Chip. This soft, dense loaf is packed with bursts of cinnamon, and the white chocolate adds a creaminess to each bite.” She says it’s perfect for French toast. Location: 850 East Bidwell Street, Suite 145, Folsom, 916-984-1830, greatharvest.com
//  ALSO CHECK OUT: Mama Ann’s Deli and Bakery at 4359 Town Center Boulevard, Suite 108, El Dorado Hills, 916-939-1700, mamaanns.com

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Aged Balsamic Vinegar, Olive Oil and Gifts:

We Olive opened in El Dorado Hills in 2008, and moved to Folsom’s Sutter Street in September 2013. The store features California board-certified extra virgin olive oils, flavored olive oils, and great-tasting traditional and fruit-flavored balsamic vinegars. “Our traditional aged balsamic is a favorite. It is sweet, tangy and very rich in flavor. We also carry olive spreads, tapenades, fruit spreads, mustards, pasta sauces and dipping oils,” says co-owner Joan Masegian. Beyond that, the stores utilize olive oil in soaps, body lotions and hair products. “We put together gift sets, gift baskets and have some kitchen items, olive wood products and ceramics, such as dipping bowls,” she says. The store also samples many products, so be ready to taste-test when you stop by! Location: 713 Sutter Street, Folsom, 916-933-1650, weolive.com
//  ALSO CHECK OUT:  Made in California at 705 East Bidwell Street, Folsom, 916-351-1495, madeincalifornia.net; and Winterhill at 321 Main Street, Placerville, 530-626-6369, winterhillfarms.com

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Organic Coffee and Tea:

A recent endeavor for Nicholson’s Music is the Nicholson’s MusiCafe, run by son Erich Nicholson. Serving premium organic coffees and teas, the MusiCafe also provides a venue for musical events and recitals. It’s a great place for a family outing. “We wanted to provide a musical environment for pros, as well as family being introduced to music for the first time,” Nicholson says. Location: 632 East Bidwell Street, Folsom, 916-984-3020, facebook.com/nicholsonsmusicafe
//  ALSO CHECK OUT:  Willow Café and Sweetery at 13405 Folsom Boulevard, Suite 905, Folsom, 916-294-7805, willowcafeandsweetery.com; and Zia’s Cafe at 4364 Town Center Boulevard, Suite 110, El Dorado Hills, 916-939-9427, ziasgelato.com

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Homemade Confections and Chocolates:

It’s all about Snooks! Founded in 1963 by John and Jeannine Snook, the candy store has been a staple to Sutter Street since 1985. Current owners Jim and Renee Snook are the second generation of owners, and their sons, who will be third, will continue the legacy. Each day, the family produces fresh candy made with in-house oven-roasted nuts, cream, butter and premium chocolate—no additives or preservatives! “Some of our most popular candies are English toffee, caramel, peanut brittle stretched thin, caramel corn, and truffles—all made and packaged on site,” says owner Jim Snook. What would be his recommendation if he had to narrow it down to just one? “The one candy we make that seems to make customers comment that ‘hands-down it is the best they have ever had,’ is our thin peanut brittle. We hand stir it in our copper kettle and use raw peanuts. As they cook, they flavor the brittle. Real butter, of course, is used for optimal flavor.” Location: 731 Sutter Street, Folsom, 916-985-0620, snookscandies.com
//  ALSO CHECK OUT:  Karen’s Bakery and Café at 705 Gold Lake Drive, Folsom, 916-985-2665, karensbakery.com; and Black Tie Caramel, Folsom, blacktiecaramel.com