![Sean Doherty, co-founder of Sean Doherty Farms, sells hybrid sunflower seeds to multinational companies but says the strong dollar may send buyers elsewhere.](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/ck0a0898_0.png?1659383471)
The Seeds of Conflict
How the Russian invasion of Ukraine and drought are affecting sunflower farmers in Yolo County
Yolo County’s most photogenic crop is facing a barrage of challenges, including supply issues related to the war in Ukraine, global currency volatility and drought.
![Grantee Fernando Ponce, owner of Chido’s, has a background as a late-night street food vendor, and now owns a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Natomas. (Photos by Debbie Cunningham)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/lead_12.png?1658444436)
Street Food Offers a Road to Success
The Midtown Association’s Street Food Sacramento grant supports entrepreneurs creating an authentic taste of Sacramento
Midtown Association’s Street Food Sacramento grant
is helping to better represent the city’s
diversity in the business district and the thriving Midtown
Farmers Market.
![Palmira Nava and her late husband, Reyes, purchased the Penny Candy Store in Live Oak in 2003.](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/1-may_17_2022penny_candy_store.png?1658778402)
Penny Candy Store in Live Oak Dispenses Sweet Dose of Nostalgia
Store faces major changes after COVID-19 death of co-owner
Following tragic circumstances, Penny Candy has reopened,
continuing its decades-long status as a treasured destination in
Live Oak. Now, it’s up for sale.
![At the California State Fair, fairgoers can choose among more than 100 food vendors offering sweet, salty, crunchy and deep-fried favorites as well as healthy alternatives. (Photos and captions by Charles Vincent McDonald)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/image_01_3.jpg?1658445639)
Fair Food at Fair Prices
Families line up for fried pork chops, funnel cakes and other favorites at the California State Fair despite inflation
Concessions prices are higher than they were at the last California State Fair in 2019, but fairgoers are still spending money on the summer indulgences they missed.
![Vite Ramen Co-Founder Tim Zheng designed a nutritionally complete instant ramen with flavors patterned after classic Japanese ramen styles.
(Photo by Terence Duffy)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/zheng_web.png?1658269285)
On the Fast Track: Tim Zheng
Meet 13 young professionals who are on the fast track, bringing new ideas and innovations to the Capital Region
With Vite Ramen, co-founder and CEO Tim Zheng set out
to create a nutritious instant food product. He also
manufactured it ethically and designed the recipe to be faithful
to classic Japanese ramen styles.
![Butchers of America, a.k.a. Team USA, came in sixth place in the 2018 World Butchers’ Challenge in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photos courtesy of World Butchers’ Challenge)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/french_team.jpg?1656104525)
Will Sacramento Butchers Meat Their Match at the World Butchers’ Challenge?
International butchery competition comes to Sacramento for the first time
The competition’s American debut is taking place in
Sacramento partly because two of the captains for the U.S. team
hail from the city.
![Swingle Meat Company is still decorated with the taxidermied heads of game animals, though it no longer processes wild game.](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/dsc_8273.png?1655917367)
How Meat Markets Meet Needs
Traditional butchers find that skills from the past equal hope for the future
These Capital Region butcher shops are family-owned
businesses that offer meat from high-caliber livestock and
the magic of housemade marinades.
![Al the Wop's Place, also known as Al's Place, is located in the heart of Locke. The tradition of customers throwing money up to the ceiling with tacks, which is collected for charity, continues under its new ownership group. (Photos by Steve Martarano)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/3-april_12_2022als.png?1655139602)
Colorful Bar in Historic Locke Stays the Course After an Ownership Change
Al the Wop’s has been serving bikers, locals and tourists for 75 years
The Delta bar’s five new owners kept the biker bar’s decor, unique traditions, steakhouse-style food menu and controversial name.
![Noroc, an Eastern European restaurant in Carmichael previously known as Firebird Russian Restaurant, specializes in homestyle cooking from the former Soviet region, such as this beef stew. (Photo courtesy of Noroc)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/lead_0.jpeg?1654016622)
Firebird Russian Restaurant Forced to Make Two Name Changes Within Two Months
Sacramento restaurant is a gathering place during Russia-Ukraine war
Firebird Russian Restaurant recently reopened as Noroc with a fresh new look.
![](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/popupspodcast_blue_border.png?1653338267)
Comstock’s Talks: Pop-Ups Are Popping Off
PODCAST: The pop-up model allows independent chefs to experiment with new concepts and creative menus without investing in overhead.