Local Growers
Fresh fruits and vegetables have a personal and distinctive place of origin.
Independent & small scale family farms contribute to our regional abundance and landscape with a wide variety of fresh, peak of season produce.
Check out some of our notable farmer profiles to see who’s growing your food.
Chin Farms
Chin Farms is the growing operation of Wong Potatoes, Inc., a family owned business which has been growing, packing, and shipping potatoes in the United States since 1930. Their potatoes are shipped throughout the United States and the Pacific Rim countries. Each year, Chin Farms grows and ships over 70 million pounds of the world’s favorite vegetable!
The owners are Dee Dee and Daniel Chin, third generation potato farmers in the Klamath Basin. The Klamath Basin is ideal for growing quality products because of its high elevation (4,100 ft.) and short growing season (115 days).
Their potatoes include red, yellow, russet, and specialty potatoes along with a full line of organically grown potatoes. Chin Farms grows about 2,400 acres of conventional potatoes, wheat, alfalfa hay, and dehydrated onions, and their organic division, Chin Family Farms Organic, LLC, grows about 2,500 acres of organic potatoes, wheat, and alfalfa hay.
Christopher Ranch
A Rich Tradition in Garlic~ In the early 1890′s, Ole Christopher left Denmark for the long journey to America. Like many immigrants, Ole labored long and hard to make his dreams a reality, eventually purchasing a tract of land ideal for planting an orchard. For the next 20 years, the Christopher family continued to add to their holdings, until they became one of the largest growers of prunes in the Santa Clara Valley. Don Christopher, Ole’s grandson, grew up on that original ranch, working side by side with his father in the orchards. Then, in 1956, Don set out to create a ranch of his own. Buying a plot of land in Gilroy – just ten miles south of where he was raised – Don and his brother Art decided to try their luck with a new kind of crop: Garlic. Experimenting with European varieties allowed them to carve out a unique niche in the world of Santa Clara Valley produce.
Over time, Don turned more of his holdings to garlic cultivation – in particular, French & Italian varieties, which produce bigger & more flavorful bulbs. Along the way he co-founded the Gilroy Garlic Festival, an annual event that has transformed Gilroy into the “Garlic Capital of the World”.
Ole’s great grandson, Bill, is at the helm of Christopher Ranch, as a steward with the same purpose & dedication to quality that’s been the hallmark of the family business for over 50 years. Tending heirloom seed stock, Bill and his son Ken are focused on the next 50 years of family farming in the Santa Clara Valley

Coke Farm
Coke Farm has been producing organically grown fruits and vegetables for over thirty years. In 1981, founder Dale Coke was prompted by a doubting conventional farmer, who speculated that strawberries could not be grown organically. Dale planted his first strawberries in August of 1981 on the home ranch near Aromas, California. The plants produced successfully and a local natural foods store became the first Coke Farm customer.
Dale started planting more crops and joined the Santa Cruz chapter of C.C.O.F. (California Certified Organic Farmers). By 1990, Coke Farm had grown to a 200+ acre farm, harvesting over fifty crop varieties each year and shipping daily out of a cooler on site in San Juan Bautista.
Today, Coke Farm continues to provide its customers with organic, specialty, top quality, seasonal fruits and vegetables year-round. In addition to growing and shipping their own produce, Coke Farm cools, stores, and ships for several

Columbine Vineyards
In 1919 Marin Caratan selected the fertile ground of the San Joaquin Valley not only as home, but also as the place where he would pursue his lifelong dream – the growth and propagation of table grapes. From the day he arrived in Kern County, his dream began to grow into the legacy now known as Columbine Vineyards.
Columbine grapes have been produced exclusively by the Caratan family for three generations. Today, Chris and Martin Caratan, Marin’s grandsons, oversee the company operations. To merit the Columbine label, all grape varieties are carefully hand — selected from vines of varying ages at the precise peak of their maturity. All Columbine grapevines are sustained by water-conserving drip irrigation. The grapes are hand-picked and hand-packed by workers that return for the harvest year after year. These workers are trained to select the sweetest and most flavorful berries their vines produce. They take pride in handling the fruit with care from picking to shipping to market in refrigerated containers.
Columbine Vineyards produces 11 varieties of premium table grapes and has 3 exclusive varieties: Black Globe, Holiday Seedless and Majestic. Among the incomparable sweet table grapes grown in California’s southern San Joaquin Valley, no label is more respected than Columbine. Enjoy California Grapes grown by California Grape farmers!
Columbine grapes have been produced exclusively by the Caratan family for three generations. Today, Chris and Martin Caratan, Marin’s grandsons, oversee the company operations. To merit the Columbine label, all grape varieties are carefully hand — selected from vines of varying ages at the precise peak of their maturity. All Columbine grapevines are sustained by water-conserving drip irrigation. The grapes are hand-picked and hand-packed by workers that return for the harvest year after year. These workers are trained to select the sweetest and most flavorful berries their vines produce. They take pride in handling the fruit with care from picking to shipping to market in refrigerated containers.
Columbine Vineyards produces 11 varieties of premium table grapes and has 3 exclusive varieties: Black Globe, Holiday Seedless and Majestic. Among the incomparable sweet table grapes grown in California’s southern San Joaquin Valley, no label is more respected than Columbine. Enjoy California Grapes grown by California Grape farmers!

Cyma Orchids
As a boy growing up on his parents’ farm, Farmer Ken Chung learned that only individualized & customized care, nurturing and cultivation can produce the high quality, beautiful and luxurious orchids he came to love so much.
He transferred that knowledge to his orchid farm and today, that is why Cyma Orchids farmers put their heart and soul into each and every plant on their 10.3 acre, family owned and operated farm located in sunny Oxnard, California. Each Cyma Orchids plant, whether it’s an orchid, succulent, lucky bamboo or planter is individually cared for and nurtured to ensure that it will become beautiful, elegant, strong and provide long-lasting enjoyment.
He transferred that knowledge to his orchid farm and today, that is why Cyma Orchids farmers put their heart and soul into each and every plant on their 10.3 acre, family owned and operated farm located in sunny Oxnard, California. Each Cyma Orchids plant, whether it’s an orchid, succulent, lucky bamboo or planter is individually cared for and nurtured to ensure that it will become beautiful, elegant, strong and provide long-lasting enjoyment.

Dalena Farms
Dalena Farms Inc. is a family owned and operated business located in the heart of California’s sunny and bountiful Central Valley. Their prime farmland is ideally suited for growing exceptional onions. Everyday, Joe Dalena and three generations of his family work together to produce the highest quality yellow, red, white, and sweet onions available.
The Dalena family’s commitment is reflected in all aspects of their operation. All of their onions are grown by them with personal attention on a daily basis. They start by selecting premium onion varieties and plant them throughout the fall and into the spring. This allows them to harvest fresh onions every day. They hand harvest each onion and take special care in the treatment of the onions from the field to their state-of-the-art packing and shipping facility.
Following strict safety guidelines, Dalena Farms ensures that their onions are pesticide residue free and that their fields are NutriClean Certified by Scientific Certification Systems. They are participants in AIB International Food Safety Audits and have maintained a Superior rating. Additionally, they have a trace recall program that allows them to monitor their product from the field all the way to the customer.

Deardorff Family Farms
Deardorff Family Farms pays homage to their heritage by engaging in sustainable farming practices that use fewer chemicals, protect the environment and yield healthier, better-tasting produce for customers. Four generations of farming expertise have made them an authority on delivering produce to retail, foodservice and wholesale clients around the world. The farm is operated by Scott Deardorff and Tom Deardorff II from Ventura County, California.
Known for tomatoes, celery, red and green cabbage, mixed leafy lettuces and now organically grown celery and roma tomatoes, Deardorff Family Farms began growing certified organic crops in 2005. Numerous environmental and social components highlight the many facets of their farming operation. Innovators in farming, packaging and cooling, Deardorff is synonymous with quality!

Decas
Greek immigrant brothers Nicholas, Charles and William Decas started the company in 1934. Today, in their eighth decade, Decas is still a family owned business, selling cranberry products around the world.
They’ve built their reputation as The Cranberry Ingredient Experts. The Decas family has expertise in every aspect of cranberry growing, processing and marketing. With over 450 acres of cranberry bogs in Massachusetts and contracting with over 150 independent growers throughout the US and Canada, Decas is the second largest cranberry company in the world.
Over 60 million pounds of cranberries are now processed and sold by Decas in over 35 countries worldwide. Decas’ state of the art processing facilities in Carver, MA, produce a full line of cranberry products, including: cranberry concentrate, sweetened dried cranberries, and fresh whole cranberries.

DePalma Farms
DePalma Farms represents three generations of farming in Northern California, since 1951. Pat DePalma and his parents emigrated to the United States from Bitritto-Bart, Italy in 1947.
In search of the most fertile soil, the DePalma family moved to the fertile San Joaquin Valley in California. They purchased 23 acres in Escalon to grow peaches and grapes there.
Today, the DePalma family farms land from Modesto to Lodi and distributes its fine produce throughout the United States and Canada. In addition to peaches and wine and table grapes, they also farm cherries, olives, nectarines, corn, almonds, walnuts, pistachios and persimmons.
They can be found at various Farmer’s Markets in Northern California selling their farm to table fresh products.

Double-N Potatoes
Since 1938, the Nelson family has been producing superior quality potatoes from Northwestern Washington. The building blocks on which the company was founded still stand today with a commitment to “quality, consistency and service”.
The late founder, Norman W. Nelson (1916−1984) began farming in his early twenties. He started growing potatoes early in his farming career in the Skagit River Valley (one of the most fertile growing areas in the world with soils high in organic matter and a marine climate conducive to growing a wide variety of crops).
In the beginning, his potatoes were graded and packed by another packing shed in the near vicinity. Then in the middle 1940’s, at the site of the present warehouse, Norm Nelson acquired an old building and converted it to a packing shed to handle his own product. At that time, the Double-N label was born.
Today, this 3rd generation family farm grows, packs and ships under the Double-N (Premium US #1), Golden Seal (Value US #1) and Pedigree (US #2) labels. They proudly offer premium quality & variety Red, White, Yellow and Purple potatoes.

Driscoll’s Berries
Family owned and operated for over 100 years, Driscoll’s is a shipping and marketing business that is passionate about growing premium fresh berries. Respected worldwide, Driscoll’s is one of the largest growers of California strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and organic berries.
Joseph “Ed” Reiter and R.O. Driscoll began growing the first Pajaro Valley Sweet Briar strawberries back in 1904! The family tradition continues as Driscoll’s berries are grown on family farms in some of the world’s premiere growing regions. These farmers share a commitment to growing the world’s best berries and to protecting their family land to hand down to future generations.
Before the berries are sent to the independent family farms, Driscoll’s research and development teams use natural breeding methods to create patented varieties. All of their berries are sweet, juicy and naturally wholesome. Packed with antioxidants, fiber and vitamins, they’re a healthy treat for any time of the day. Driscoll’s food safety program ensures the wholesomeness of the berries and the safety of their consumers, employees, and independent farmers throughout the entire process.
Joseph “Ed” Reiter and R.O. Driscoll began growing the first Pajaro Valley Sweet Briar strawberries back in 1904! The family tradition continues as Driscoll’s berries are grown on family farms in some of the world’s premiere growing regions. These farmers share a commitment to growing the world’s best berries and to protecting their family land to hand down to future generations.
Before the berries are sent to the independent family farms, Driscoll’s research and development teams use natural breeding methods to create patented varieties. All of their berries are sweet, juicy and naturally wholesome. Packed with antioxidants, fiber and vitamins, they’re a healthy treat for any time of the day. Driscoll’s food safety program ensures the wholesomeness of the berries and the safety of their consumers, employees, and independent farmers throughout the entire process.

Durst Organic Growers
Since the early 80’s, Jim & Deborah Durst have been growing and distributing some of the best tasting organic produce under the brand name “Hungry Hollow” and “Durst Organic Growers.” Durst Organic Growers, Inc., strongly believes in farming techniques that build soil fertility while balancing wildlife and insect ecology. They do this by planting cover crops, proper crop rotation and soil amendments. The farm practices are based on the maxim “Feed the soil and the soil will feed the plants.”
Located in an area of California called “Hungry Hollow” at the mouth of the Capay Valley in Yolo County, this fourth generation farm benefits from a unique microclimate and soils that allow them to grow delicious tasting asparagus, melons, watermelons, cherries, heirloom tomatoes, peppers, and winter squash. All of these crops are picked in the cool morning hours and packed and refrigerated immediately. This allows Durst Organic Growers, Inc. to bring their products to your table in a “vine ripe” condition that provides superb flavor.

Farmington Fresh
Farmington Fresh is the only fruit packing and distributing plant in the nation that sits next to an airport. They are located in Stockton, California, in the heart of the Central Valley, amidst the most fertile Agriculture Land in the World. With great pioneering spirit the grower partners have been able to grow with volume and diversity of product offering.
Their grower roster has expanded to include some of the most well regarded tree fruit farmers in the golden state. Since 1995, they have been operating one of the most state-of-the-art apple packing facilities in the west. The equipment is constantly being updated and improved as the fast paced produce industry dictates. With the addition of their Slice and Dice Room in 1997, they became innovators in Fresh Sliced Apple products.
Today, they have made further innovations in fresh snacking products. Their ready-to-eat BFFs (Bites of Fresh Fruits) are individually packed fruits, including: ripe pears, sweet oranges, firm grapes and crunchy apples. Other Farmington Fresh product lines are: Modi Apples, Just Enough potatoes, Home Grown onions, and Locally Grown brand packs.

Faurot Ranch
Faurot Ranch is a small family-owned ranch located in Watsonville, California. They specialize in baby vegetables, lettuces, and greens and work diligently all year to maintain fresh, satisfying product. They perform as a family of growers, packers, and shippers to be one of the best specialty produce suppliers in the entire Monterey Bay area. Rod Faurot and Arturo Sanchez co-own and manage the farm.
The property was originally purchased by Rod’s mother in 1948. The farming operations began in 1984 with Arturo and just 2 acres of raspberries. Today, Faurot Ranch farms about 90 acres with over 30 varieties of specialty vegetables. Rod and Arturo are proud that they have run a successful business for so many years, providing quality products to customers all over the world.

Full Belly Farm
Full Belly Farm is a 400-acre certified organic farm located in the beautiful Capay Valley of Northern California, an hour northwest of Sacramento. Full Belly has been farmed using organic practices since 1985 and is certified by California Certified Organic Farmers. The farm owners are Andrew Brait, Paul Muller, Judith Redmond, and Dru Rivers.
With help from about 100+ valued employees, the farm produces an amazing diversity of vegetables, herbs, nuts, flowers, and fruits year-round. The farm also has a flock of chickens, a herd of sheep, and several milking cows.
Full Belly’s system includes: growing and marketing over 80 different crops; providing year-round employment for farm labor; using cover crops that fix nitrogen and provide organic matter for the soil; developing innovative marketing strategies; and planting habitat areas for beneficial insects and wildlife. This set of strategies allows the farm to integrate farm production with longer-term environmental goals. This is Sustainable Farming at its best!
