Press Releases

WATSONVILLE, Calif. - The Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) recently welcomed Fitz Fresh, Inc., mushroom farm as their newest member of the Buy Fresh, Buy Local campaign. The Watsonville-based mushroom farm produces three varieties of mushrooms: white button, crimini and portabella, operating on 20 acres of its own farmland, producing more than 10,000 pounds of crop per day.

Fitz Fresh mushrooms are hand-picked directly from their beds, trimmed and meticulously inspected before being packed in the container in which they are sold. By 10 o'clock each morning, Fitz Fresh has sold most of their mushrooms to long-time customers. The farm is a zero wastewater discharge facility. All water used at the farm is recycled and reused in the farming process, with no runoff into the neighboring slough or watershed. Fitz Fresh proactively and independently has implemented procedures that far exceed local, state and federal environmental standards.

"The mission of the Buy Fresh, Buy Local Campaign is to make it easier for residents of the Central Coast to find locally grown produce and to encourage consumers to support our local family farms, farmers' markets and businesses that serve or sell local produce," said Liv Nevin, Campaign Coordinator for Buy Fresh, Buy Local. There are currently about 40 farms in the Buy Fresh, Buy Local Campaign. For more information, visit www.caff.org or call 831.761.8507.