Live Local.
Discover the source of your own food first-hand, learn about agriculture in the yummiest way possible, and directly support Orange County farms and families.
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Here are just a few of the ways you can have fun, learn a lot, and live local.
Visit a farmers’ market!
Farmers’ Markets are the very best and easiest way to meet local growers and buy fresh local produce in season.
Certified Farmers’ Markets are inspected regularly by the county agriculture commissioner to ensure that only farmers who grow what they are selling are allowed to participate.
U-Pick Tours at Tanaka Farms
Tanaka Farms is a working farm in Irvine that is open to the public year-round. The farm hosts tours throughout the year focused on what’s in season:
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March - June: Strawberry Tours
July - August: Melon Tours and Corn Picking Tours
September - October: Pumpkin Patch Tour
December: Holiday Tour
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Tanaka also offers U-Pick Vegetable Tours, Cookouts, and workshops throughout the year. Learn more at TanakaFarms.com.
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photo: @TanakaFarms
Visit Manaserro Family Farms
Manaserro Farms has celebrated over 95 years and three generations of family farming in Orange County.
The Manaserro Irvine Market location offers a blend of farm market stand, gift shop, and event venue. Alongside produce grown on-site, the Manaserro Irvine Market offers jam, honey, gourmet foods, and handcrafted goods. There are three additional Manaserro family farm stands in Irvine, Brea, and Tustin.
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Find your nearest Manassero Farm market or farmstand at ManasseroFarms.com/locations.
Shop at the Smith Organic Farm Stand
Smith Farms has been farming organically in Orange County since 1988 and operates two farm stands where you can buy fresh seasonal organic produce straight from the farm.
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Irvine farm stand: 5481 Bryan Ave Irvine, 92620
Fountain Valley farm stand: 9736 Ellis Ave, Fountain Valley, 92708
Learn more at SmithFarmsOC.com.
Learn, cook, and shop at The Ecology Center
The Ecology Center is a community education center located in San Juan Capistrano that is focused on “creative solutions for thriving on planet earth.” Combining permaculture, community events, and education, the Ecology Center believes that “everyone should have access to the tools, knowledge, and skills that promote healthy communities in the 21st century.”
The Ecology Center runs a farm stand open 7 days a week that offers produce and other local seasonal ingredients grown on-site on the center’s 28 acre farm, or sourced within a 250 mile radius.
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Learn more at TheEcologyCenter.org