Talley Farms is known for shipping wholesale crops across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Particularly bell peppers, of which the company can expect to ship up to 12,000 boxes per day at peak season, according to Andrea Chavez, manager of Talley Farm’s Fresh Harvest program.
But did you know they also sell directly to the consumer?
Through the Fresh Harvest program, Talley Farms provides customers with a box of fresh produce. For $26 a month customers can elect to receive a monthly or weekly box of in-season fruits and vegetables. Each box contains about nine to 12 different items. The benefits to this, Chavez said, are numerous.
“You’re eating local, you’re eating what’s in season,” Chavez told the Sun. “And you’re eating fresh. When it’s so fresh, it has more nutrients and it tastes better.”
On top that, Chavez added, customers who participate in community supported agriculture programs (CSAs) are supporting their local economy. When you shop local, Chavez said the entire community benefits from it.
“For our farm, we have 20 people working in the Fresh Harvest program,” Chavez said. “If we didn’t have our local program, none of us would have jobs here.
“Money stays in the community,” she said.
The program is coming up on its fourth anniversary. On April 30, the Arroyo Grande-based company is launching its new website, talleyfarmsfreshharvest.com, making it easier for customers to directly sign up for a box of freshly grown fruits and vegetables.
Chavez described it as a “farm to house program.” Fresh Harvest grows about 30 to 40 different types of vegetables. It’s easy on the wallet, Chavez said, costing $26 a month for a standard size box that can feed a family of four for at least a week.
“It would cost a lot more if you were to purchase each item separately at a farmers’ market,” Chavez said. “This is a good value.”
Artichoke season is approaching, so Chavez said to expect more of them in your CSA box.
Distribution for the Fresh Harvest program ranges from Paso Robles to Orcutt, with pickup spots at various locations, including farm supply stores, and at gyms. Santa Maria has six pickup locations, Chavez said, adding that her company is ready to expand the CSA program to Buellton, Lompoc, and Santa Ynez.
There are approximately 4,200 subscribers in the program, Chavez said. Although Talley Farms works to grow organic as much as it can, Chavez said that her company can’t guarantee that each week, because it limits what you can put in the box.
Talley Farms is located roughly 4 miles east of Arroyo Grande. Along with its Fresh Harvest program, the farm has more anniversaries coming up. Talley Vineyards, which grows wine grapes, will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year. Talley Farms has been in business since 1948 and in two years the farm will celebrate its 70th anniversary.
The larger farm grows acres upon acres of cilantro and spinach, as well as avocados, lemons, and wine grapes on the fruit side. They also purchase crops from farmers.
To sign up for CSA box, visit talleyfarmsfreshharvest.com, or call 489-5401.
Highlights
• Besides the obvious, do you know what to do with emails? The Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Bureau presents the second installment of its new workshop focused on marketing. Business growth consultant and authorized local expert for Constant Contact, Mark Mikelat, will give a presentation on effective email marketing from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on April 28 in the upstairs conference room at the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce, located at 111 South I St. in Lompoc. The presentation is free for chamber members and $10 for nonmembers. For more information, email chelsea@lompoc.com or call 736-4567.
Staff Writer David Minsky wrote this week’s Biz Spotlight. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, email, or mail.
This article appears in Apr 21-28, 2016.
