For more than 25 years, Lakeside Organic Farms has been quietly shaping what local, organic farming can look like when it’s done with intention, integrity, and a long-term view of the land.
Founder Dick began farming at just 17 years old, following a conventional path influenced by his father’s work in the pesticide industry. For two decades, he farmed conventionally—growing for large companies, watching margins shrink, and questioning a system that prioritized short-term yield over long-term health. In the mid-1990s, he started looking “over the fence” at organic farming and saw not just a different method, but a different philosophy.
In 1996, Lakeside began farming its first 50 organic acres. By 2001, every acre had transitioned to organic production—a bold move at the time, driven by concerns about health, environmental impact, and the future of farming itself.
Farming the Soil, Not Just the Crop
Today, Lakeside Organic Farms manages 52 different parcels across multiple microclimates in California. From the cool coastal air ideal for artichokes, romanesco, and Brussels sprouts, to warmer inland valleys perfect for peppers and eggplant, this diversity allows Lakeside to grow an extraordinary range of organic produce year-round.
Their guiding philosophy is simple but powerful:
“We farm the soil so it grows the crop.”
Instead of relying on chemical shortcuts, Lakeside invests in soil health through cover crops, compost, mineral balance, and thoughtful crop rotation. The result is land that improves year after year—soil that’s healthier today than it was decades ago.
A Direct Line From Field to Store
From the very beginning, Staff of Life Natural Foods has been a cornerstone partner for Lakeside. Rather than shipping produce through distant distribution centers, Lakeside delivers directly—often harvesting the same day the produce arrives at the store.
That means produce on the shelves is typically less than 24 hours old—a stark contrast to the weeks-long supply chains common in conventional grocery systems. It’s fresher for customers, better for flavor and nutrition, and dramatically reduces the carbon footprint.
Growing What the Community Wants
Lakeside doesn’t just grow what’s easy—they grow what their customers ask for. By collaborating closely with buyers and chefs, they’ve built programs around unique and in-demand crops, including a standout line of organic Asian greens like mizuna, komatsuna, choi sum, and Korean radishes.
They’ve also become one of the largest organic artichoke producers in the country, offering a true year-round program by coordinating coastal and desert growing regions.
Beyond Profit: Creating Shared Wealth
For Dick and the Lakeside team, success isn’t measured by profit alone. It’s about creating wealth across the entire ecosystem—for employees, customers, retail partners, and the surrounding community.
Every bunch of organic greens purchased supports fewer chemicals in local water systems, healthier soil, and more land transitioning to organic farming. Small choices add up to meaningful impact.
A Partnership That Endures
One of Dick’s favorite memories is walking into Staff of Life early in the partnership and realizing just how much Lakeside produce filled the shelves. What began as a hopeful introduction grew into a relationship built on trust, shared values, and mutual support—one that’s still thriving more than two decades later.