Ask Farmer Leo Diaz of Bonita Farms why he loves working his fields in Southern California, and his voice lights up with excitement.
“What keeps me going is the satisfaction of knowing I’m able to provide fresh fruits and veggies to communities,” he told The FruitGuys. “They’re getting healthy produce, those healthy vegetables, to their tables. Farming is something I love to do, and something I’m willing to do for the rest of my life.”
Leo is a longtime partner of The FruitGuys Farm-to-School Program. We deliver his fresh produce to schools across Southern California to help his small family farm thrive.
Bonita Farms Is a True Family Business
Leo runs Bonita Farms with his brother and cousins. They farm 55 acres of land divided into multiple plots in San Bernardino, Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, and Riverside. Leo runs the fruit and veggie side of their business while his brother tends their chicken flock, and his cousins pitch in to sell produce at local farmers markets.
“They’re my die-hard business partners. They’ve been with me since day one,” Leo said, adding, “It’s a win-win because we’re a family, and it has also brought us together more.”
What’s Growing on the Farm?
Bonita Farms grows a little bit of everything delicious, from juicy raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries to delicate greens and hardy vegetables. When we called Leo in late February, he was focused on tending bell peppers, cucumbers, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, herbs, and multiple varieties of tomatoes.
“It’s been a really good raspberry, blackberry, and strawberry season so far,” he said. “We had rain, but the weather has been really good; it’s been warmer than usual!”
Looking ahead, he’s excited to harvest two more niche crops for schools and beyond: rhubarb and artichokes.
Fresh Produce Picked to Order
Everything Bonita Farms grows is harvested to order. That means schools that order Leo’s produce through The FruitGuys always get the freshest, most flavorful fruits and vegetables.
“The day we deliver [to The FruitGuys] is the day that the produce is being picked, within less than 24 hours. So it’s going to be full of nutrients and a lot fresher than what [schools] usually get from the stores or any other source,” Leo said.
Leo loves all of the fruits and veggies that he grows, but broccoli and carrots are his top picks.
“Broccoli and carrots are my favorite things to eat raw or cooked. [But] what I love the most is always roasting my vegetables! I’d do a big casserole of roasted vegetables every day if I could,” he said.
Leo also has a soft spot for his farm’s fresh raspberries, which are delicious by the handful.
Bonita Farms’ Secret to Growing Berries Year-Round
Bonita Farms is one of our Farm-to-School Program’s favorite berry suppliers. Students and cafeteria staff alike love Leo’s juicy raspberries, sweet-tart blackberries, and melt-in-your-mouth strawberries. His secret to a year-round supply? Hoop houses that keep out the weather.
Leo grows raspberries and blackberries in San Luis Obispo and strawberries and blueberries in Santa Barbara. Between the two sites, he has 50 hoop houses that keep the plants inside warm and sheltered from storms. From May through December, Leo’s team harvests berries from outdoor plants. Then, they harvest inside the hoop houses from January through April.
Leo said selling berries year-round helps keep his business profitable, and it’s also a win for schools that love adding them to breakfast programs, lunch programs, and snacks.
Keeping Things Sustainable and Climate-Friendly
Leo and his team keep the environment in mind as they grow their fresh produce. They use compost instead of chemical fertilizers and till any greens that can’t be sold back into the soil.
“Produce grows much better and is much healthier when it’s natural [and] grown with compost instead of fertilizer,” he explained.
Leo also rotates his crops, letting the soil rest for four to five months between plantings. This is good for both the plants and the land because it reduces erosion and keeps the soil fertile. To top it all off, his team delivers produce to The FruitGuys in an eco-friendly way: They transport it in reusable crates that can be washed and refilled or in recyclable boxes.
Why Leo Loves Growing Produce for Our Farm-to-School Program
Leo loves farming and eating his own produce. But he said the real highlight of the work is watching his fruits and vegetables bring smiles to people’s faces, whether they’re students, office workers, or his farmers market regulars.
“It’s the satisfaction of the customer and the satisfaction it brings me to know they’re happy getting good-quality, super-fresh produce,” he said, adding, “I’m happy to be part of this program and very, very happy and very grateful to work with The FruitGuys team.”
How to Order Leo’s Fresh Local Produce for Your Schools
If you already order from The FruitGuys Farm-to-School Program, look for Bonita Farms on our price sheets to see what Leo is harvesting right now! Then, contact us to place your order.
If you’re new to our program, tell us a bit about your district, and we’ll share our pricing and other details with you. We have farm partners across California growing delicious, sustainable produce that’s compatible with grants, meal programs, and more. Plus, every order includes access to our library of complimentary nutrition education materials designed to make healthy eating educational and fun.