Who's Who: Megan Ratto, of G Ratto Farms

Name: Megan Ratto

Age: 18

Occupation: Works for G Ratto Farms, a family business. “I go to farmer’s markets when my parents aren’t able to go, and I go with them (when they do go.)"

That’s a big responsibility at your age! Yeah — I’ve been coming here since I was two. It's my home away from home. 

Where is the farm located? French Camp — it’s south of Stockton, in the valley.

Which farmers' markets do you go to? We go to Orinda, , Alameda, Walnut Creek, Patterson and Rippon.

Almost every day of the week? We do two (on Saturdays). We have two days off a week. It’s nice. We’ve made so many friends. We’ve had other vendors come to our house for dinner. I started when I was two so everyone is like, “Oh, I remember you when you were in your car seat on the table.”

Do you expect to continue working with the family business? Definitely – this is our livelihood.

What’s in season right now? This is the prime time to get veggies: It’s corn, bell peppers, squash, watermelon, fruit, all kinds of stuff.

A lot of people don’t pay attention to what’s in season. I think it’s partially the grocery stores' fault. You have to eat stuff that’s in season to help your immune system.

And it just tastes good. Yes. Why do we have oranges in winter? It’s all there for a reason, you know.

Do you get to work in the fields? I live on the fields. I’m not an employee of the fields; I come and sell everything. I have a job at home.

What’s your other job? I work at Taco Bell.

You have the food industry from both sides here. Yea, really — both spectrums. But during Thanksgiving and Christmas, our busiest times, I’ll be out in the field picking.

Is that rewarding for you, being so close to what you grow? I think it’s crazy how, "We grew this" — how people come for our stuff, and "We created this."

What do you do for fun? Oh. Well. Everything. I love to hang out. I’m a people person. I like traveling, going places.

This is the perfect gig. Definitely. I’m traveling all around the Bay Area.