The Fruit Basket

Eddie has been farming for 57 years and has been vending at the Santa Fe Farmer’s Market since 1969. He comes from a family that has been farming in New Mexico for over 400 years. You can learn more about his family’s heritage here. Eddie uses organic methods of controlling weeds and insects.

Eddie carries on the work ethics and tradition of excellence, handed down from his father and fore fathers. Honored as “Outstanding Young Farmer” in New Mexico two years in a row, Eddie placed second in 1990 and in 1991 placed first in a State competition. In 1992 he did better, Eddie Velarde was named one of four “Outstanding Young Farmers In America” by U.S. Jaycees and John Deere & Company. Eddie also received recognition for excellence from President George Bush, Governor Jim Edgar, State of Illinois, and Governor Bruce King, State of New Mexico. Eddie has also received many valued awards for outstanding community service.

The Fruit Basket (as well as Rancho de Santa Fe and Velarde Orchards, the other extensions of the family business) received its Good Agricultural Practices and Good Handling Practices certification in October 2007. Eddie is one of the first Hispanic/Latino farmers to get certified. These certificates enable the farm to sell to Federal Programs, especially in the Public School systems locally and nationally.

The town of Velarde was named after Don Juan Velarde in 1598. Don Juan and his family settled in this land and started farming using the King of Spain’s name, who had sent Don Juan, under the command of Don Juan de Onate, to claim the new territory. Having already conquered Mexico, King Ferdinand declared the new land “New Mexico.” Accompanied by “Franciscan” Monks, carrying the finest apple seeds from the hill country of Spain, Don Juan Velarde’s family began farming in the beautiful valley, finding it perfect for growing chiles, peppers, spices, and a variety of fruits.

The seeds used to start and continue the Velarde family’s famous products, were generations of seeds originated from the best seed stock owned by the King of Spain. The altitude of Rancho de Santa Fe is 6,000 feet, and the careful attention given to each plant and tree also contributes to the special flavor attributed to their products. A flavor sought but unmatched anywhere in the world. Eddie Velarde and the Velarde family are dedicated to carrying on the centuries old way of producing only the finest chiles, peppers, mixes, apples, cherries, peaches, pears, plums, and other fine foods.