Best Places For Organic Produce In Los Angeles
Knowing where to purchase the best organic produce in a city is valuable information. Buying certified organic produce is argued by many that it's better for one's health and the planet. California is filled with farmers who are committed to bringing farm to table ingredients that are free of chemicals and pesticides, GMO-free and organic. In addition to the obvious of heading out to the farmer's market, many of the organic produce markets located in Los Angeles have personal relationships with the various farmers to present the highest quality produce to consumers. Here is the short list of where to shop.
Rainbow Acres
13208 W. Washington Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90066
(310) 306-8330
rainbowacresca.com
Shoppers can count on local well-sourced produce available at Rainbow Acres in Culver City. The market's selection is organic and GMO-free and free of chemicals and pesticides. Seasonal offerings include assorted greens, herbs and fruits like white and yellow nectarines, white peaches, cherries and sweet potatoes, aloe vera leaves, fresh turmeric and conventional young Thai coconut (formaldehyde free). The market is very helpful and will offer to open up coconuts for their shoppers. Rainbow Acres offers grab and-go-fruit packs that include watermelon and pineapple. And the fresh juice bar there creates delicious and refreshing juice drinks made with the market's organic produce.
Co-Opportunity Natural Foods
1525 Broadway
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 451-8902
www.coopportunity.com
The Co-opportunity, or known as The Co-op in Santa Monica, is one of the best resources for organic produce. Both a Certified Santa Monica Green Grocer and a winner of the Sustainable Quality Award (these are some heavy credentials), The Co-op has been a natural and organic grocery staple since the early 1970s. To become a life member the investment is $300 (which can be paid in installments). Local to The Co-op means no more than 300 miles. The farms that the market receives its produce from include Kenter Canyon in Sun Valley, Tomorrow Organics in Monterey, Christopher Ranch in Gilroy and Bunkhouse in Tres Pinos, to name a few.
Good Life Organics
(818) 614-8131
goodlifeorganics.org
When your schedule is challenging and you can't get to the farmers market, Good Life Organics is a really great option to obtain seasonal certified organic produce. It's a delivery service that is offered weekly or every other week. Here is an example of what might be in this week's box -- Fuji apples, Navel oranges, yellow tangerines, Dino Egg pluots, grapes, Eureka lemons, Ambrosia Melon, Hass avocados, cucumber, Nantes carrots, broccoli, green leaf lettuce, curly leaf kale, sugar snap peas and cherry tomatoes. With more than 20 years of experience in handling produce, Good Life Organics works with local California farms such as Etheridge Organics (Dinuba), Something Good (Goleta), Ken's Top Notch Produce (Reedley), Sycamore Hill Ranch (Fillmore), Sunrise Organic Farm (Carpenteria) and Ha's Apple Farm (Tehachapi). Your delivery also comes with recipes and storage tips.
Cookbook
1549 Echo Park Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 250-1900
www.cookbookla.com
For responsibly grown and organic vegetables and fruits, visit Cookbook, a specialty grocer in Echo Park. The organic produce is actually dropped off by local farmers including John Givens and JF Organic Farms, which illustrates the neighborhood and community feel of Cookbook. Raising the standard of organic produce shopping, Cookbook has the highest quality curated goods that are unquestionably tasty. This market focuses its merchandising on what is actually in season. Customers also really like coming here for pantry and refrigerator staples -- from French cultured butter and farm fresh eggs to beans, rice and jams. While the store is on the smaller side, it doesn't lack in shopping choices.
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Arizona Ave. at 2nd St.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
www.smgov.net
The Santa Monica Farmers Market, which is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays, is located in the heart of the Third Street Promenade area of Santa Monica and spans four city blocks. This market is a busy one as it is a favorite source to local chefs from well-respected and esteemed restaurants (Gjelina, Melisse, Milo and Olive, M.B. Post, Mohawk Bend, Chaya Brasserie, and so many more), home cooks, and caterers. Sixty percent of the market's growers run Certified Organic farms. Shoppers go crazy for the bundles of exotic fruits and vegetables and the amount of varieties of produce offered. The area is easily accessible with various parking structures, bike share and the Downtown Santa Monica light rail station.
