With spring turning into summer in Chico, It's time to embrace the freshness of the season by eating local. From pick-your-own farms where you can create unforgettable memories (and great photos!) with your little ones, to CSAs offering a bounty of seasonal delights and local farmers markets ... there are plenty of ways to eat fresh in Chico!
By choosing locally grown produce, you're not only treating your taste buds, but also supporting sustainable agriculture and the hardworking farmers in the Chico area.
Discover where you can find locally grown fruits, vegetables, and more in Chico to bring home to your family:
 Sergii Petroshchuk | Canva |
Pick-Your-Own (PYO) Farms in the Chico area
It's a hands-on adventure at these PYO farms in and around Chico, where you can enjoy the experience of picking your own fruits and vegetables straight from the fields. Here are some great *picks* in order of availability.
Johnson U-Pick Farm
113 Higgins Avenue, Gridley
(530) 846-5871
http://www.johnsonupickfarm.com
Johnson U-Pick Farm Facebook Page
What to expect: Blueberries ($3.50/lb), strawberries ($2.40/lb), and (limited) cherries ($3.20) for picking! Open now through October on Wednesdays and Saturdays 8:00 am - 3:00 pm. Bring your own take-home containers/bags and water to drink. Sandals are not recommended. They also sell ice cream!
Boysen Berry Farm
6282 County Road 23, Orland
(530) 936-5050
www.rudysoriginal.com/u-pick
Boysen Berry Farm Facebook Page
What to expect: Boysenberry picking!
7 am - 7 pm on:
Saturday, May 25 - Monday, May 27
Friday, May 31 - Monday, June 3
Friday, June 7 - Monday, June 10
Friday, June 14 - Monday, June 17
No reservations needed. Arriving early in the day is recommended.
Buckets and liners provided. Taste as many as you like while you pick.
Mention their coupon to get $1 off per pound!
Stagecoach Lane Ranch
11258 Nelson Bar Road, Oroville
(530) 532-0191
upickcherriesnorcal.com
Stagecoach Lane Ranch Facebook Page
What to expect: Sweet and juicy Bing Cherries! Opening day is May 31st. Open daily from 9-4 until they are picked out. They provide bags, wagon ride, picnic tables, and lots of cherries!
S & B Blueberries U-Pick
1560 State Highway 99W, Corning
(530) 570-4759
S & B Blueberries U-Pick Facebook Page
What to expect: Opening day is June 8th. Open 8-12 every day except Mondays. A bucket holds approximately 5 pounds for $25.
L & T Farms
1005 Liberty Lane, Chico
(530) 521-5837
landtfarmschico.com
L&T Farms on Facebook
What to expect: Cherries now and peaches later! They should be open for one day during the first week of June and possibly the week following. The Coral Champagne cherries are already picked out but Rainier cherries are right around the corner.
Chico State University Farm
311 Nicholas C. Shouten Lane
(530) 898-6343
U-Pick Peach Hotline: (530) 898-4989
https://www.csuchico.edu/ag/university-farm/index.shtml
What to expect: Peach picking in August! Last year it cost $20 to pick as many as you want. They provided the bags and boxes, and they discourage visitors from bringing their own. Cash, check, or credit card accepted.
Know of any other PYO farms in Chico that we should add to our list? Let us know at mackidchico@macaronikid.com.
 Rita E. | Canva |
Local CSAs in Chico
Support local farmers and enjoy a regular supply of fresh, seasonal produce by joining a CSA in Chico. CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. Here are some options to consider:
GRUB CSA Farm
11630 Dairy Road, Chico
(530) 680-4543
www.grubcsafarm.com
Details: GRUB's CSA season runs from mid-April to the week before Christmas.
The shares are pre-packaged and picked up each Wednesday from 4-6 pm at 3197 West Sacramento Avenue.
There's a $100 membership fee upon joining, and membership costs $120 per month. You can pay at the first pick-up of each month, or pay for the entire year up front.
Join anytime after the season has started, stay on to the season's end.
Their pesticide-free produce meets CCOF standards - more strict than certified organic standards.
Membership also includes a weekly newsletter with recipes and news from the farm.
Harvesting Hope CSA
2819 Hegan Lane, Chico
(530) 345-2640
www.jesuscenter.org/farm
Details: Supports the Jesus Center Farm.
Membership includes fresh produce twice per month - bring your own box to fill with crops of your choice - and a newsletter with recipes and updates from the farm.
Occasionally, special bonuses are in the boxes that are donated such as Lundberg Family Farms rice.
All produce on the farm is organic and grown locally.
Costs $45/month with no annual fee.
Burns Blossom Farm CSA
www.burnsblossomfarm.com
(530) 514-3047
Details: Burns Blossom Farm offers a unique twist on the classic CSA produce box. Purchase a Friend of the Farm Card!
It works as a debit card at their Farmers' Market booth, and gives you more flexibility throughout the season.
Use your reloadable card to purchase vegetables, fruits, and cut flowers from the Wednesday and Saturday Farmers' Markets detailed below.
You get $5 free for every $100 you invest (for example, pay $300 and get a card with $315).
Do you have a favorite CSA that you'd like to recommend? Share the details with us at mackidchico@macaronikid.com
 Ruthie Prasil | Canva |
Farmers Markets in Chico
Chico's Certified Farmers' Markets are a great place to spend a morning (or evening in April-September) browsing fresh produce, locally-produced artisanal goods, and much more. Here's where to find farmers markets in Chico:
Chico Saturday Market
Downtown Chico Municipal Parking Lot
2nd Street & Wall Street
Details: 7:30 am - 1:00 pm. Year round, rain or shine. Cash, EBT, WIC accepted. Bike valet provided.
Chico Sunday Farmers' Market
Meriam Park in the parking lot of Farmers Brewing Restaurant and Taproom
Details: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. June through October. Cash, WIC accepted. Bike valet provided.
Chico Wednesday Farmers' Market
North Valley Plaza Mall Parking Lot
Pillsbury Road
Details: 7:30 am - 12:00 pm. Year round, rain or shine. Cash, EBT, Market Match, WIC accepted.
Thursday Night Market
Downtown Chico
Broadway between 2nd and 4th Streets, including side streets and the City Plaza
(530) 345-6500
Details: Every Thursday from 6pm - 9pm, April 11 - Sept 26 (except July 4) rain or shine! Will be cancelled if temperatures exceed 110 degrees.
The streets are lined with over 100 vendors!
Certified Farmers are found on Broadway between 2nd and 3rd Streets.
Art Block is on 3rd Street between Broadway and Salem.
Locals Lane is on 3rd Street between Broadway and Main.
Food Trucks are on Broadway between 4th and 5th Streets.
Downtown shops and restaurants are open late.
 Downtown Chico / DCBA Website |
Know of any other farmers markets in Chico that we should highlight? Let us know at mackidchico@macaronikid.com!
