The Seka Hills farm in California. Photo from Facebook

The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation of California is in the fourth year of production of its olive oil brand.

The olive oil is marketed under the Seka Hills label. Seka means blue in the Patwin language and refers to the Blue Ridge mountain range in the tribe's ancestral territory.

The California Report: California Foodways: Native American Tribe Bets on Olive Oil

“They had this fascinating tale of quality and quantity and the healing benefits of good fresh oil,” Chairman Marshall McKay told KQED, recalling why the tribe became interested in producing olive oil, “and it may be a burgeoning market in California.”

The effort appears to be paying off. In addition to being carried in specialty shops and farmers markets, more than 200 restaurants use the olive oil, KQED reports.

Get the Story:
California Foodways: Native American Tribe Bets on Olive Oil (KQED 12/7)

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