Weiser Family Farms, Bakersfield, CA

Weiser Family Farms began in 1977 when Sid Weiser, a chemistry teacher and counselor at a Los Angeles school, decided to pack up the family and follow his dream of working off the land. They laid down roots in Tehachapi, California and learned to tend fruit trees . . . apples, peaches, and pears, eventually branching out into a variety of fruits, vegetables, and flowers.   In 1982 their son Alex jumped in to assist the family in selling at local Farmers’ Markets. There he encountered chefs, the public, and specialty produce buyers who wanted seasonal, high quality and superior tasting produce. Alex began to focus on creating a bio-diverse farm dedicated to applying sustainable farming techniques and supplying people with unique fruits and vegetables at their peak. Today, Weiser Family Farms grows in the Greater Bakersfield area, Tehachapi and the Lucerne Valley, cultivating a tapestry of high quality produce year round.  Older brother Dan and sister Esther joined the family business in 2001, bringing their respective business backgrounds in to the mix.

Founder Sid laughs when he recalls accepting the gracious act of a neighbor offering to plant some potatoes that year. At the height of the season, realizing he had no way of harvesting the below-ground crop, he put a sign out in front of the farm inviting customers to Dig-Your-Own. Today Weiser Farms is three farms strong and produces a rainbow of potatoes ranging from sturdy, nutty classic Russian Banana fingerlings to pigmented Red Thumbs and creamy Satinas. They sell at several Los Angeles area farmer's markets including in Beverly Hills, Hollywood and Santa Monica.

Baldor trucks in fresh Weiser Farms potatoes every week.