Mike Iniguez of Ebby’s Organic Farm

Name: Mike Iniguez

Farm: Ebby’s Organic Farm

Location: 230 Winchester Canyon Road, Goleta, CA 93117

What they grow: Snap peas, heirloom tomatoes (cherokee green, black cherry), swiss chard, kale (including the rare white kale varietal), tomatillos, onion, squash, herbs, cabbage

Where to buy: Thursday and Sunday farmer’s market at Camino Real Marketplace; Isla Vista Food Co-Op

In season now: Summer brings their famous heirloom tomatoes. “It’s our best selling item — they offer so many flavors and are great in all dishes, said Iniguez. “Customers have been asking for weeks….It’s what we’ve built our reputation on.”

Their story: Since 1980, Ebby’s Organic Farm has been a successful family-run business. Organic from the beginning, they were pioneers in pushing the organic movement in Santa Barbara. While much of their produce is shipped to Los Angeles and San Francisco, Ebby’s focus is to keep things local, by networking with restaurants, grocers, and organizations committed to sustainable agriculture.

Their mission is to make organics affordable to everyone, regardless of income. By keeping prices low, they have built a strong customer base, remaining competitive in an increasingly tough market.

“We know produce can be expensive…but it’s so important to eat healthy,” said the farm’s Lorena Rodriguez. “Our main purpose is to change habits and help people learn to spend more money on good food.”

They hope to build community through food, as seen by their involvement in last year’s SOL Food Festival. In addition, they would like to see a greater push towards local at the farmer’s market. For Ebby’s Farm, it’s about the personal connections they have made over the last 30-plus years. With their commitment to organics, their produce is always at the peak of freshness, choosing quality over quantity. Eager to educate and inform shoppers, just ask them for recipe suggestions. You can guarantee it will be flavorful.