Campus Dining

Local Highlight- Pink Lady Apples

February 11, 2013

Washington State is the West Coast's main apple producer, but the largest producer of organic apples is right here in California!

This week’s local highlight is Pink Lady Apples from Cuyama Orchards, which is located 30 miles northeast of Santa Barbara, and just 84 miles from Oxy. The orchard is located in the southern end of the Cuyama Valley surrounded by the Los Padres National Forest. The area is so remote that there are no telephone lines, no cell phone reception, and there is only one incoming road! This spot does, however, provide the perfect growing conditions for Pink Lady apples. The Cuyama Valley location and elevation (3,200 feet) provides the perfect combination of warm days and cool nights that these apples need.

Cuyama Orchards was started in 1980, when Howard and Jean Albano spontaneously bought land in Cuyama Valley. After growing hay for several years, in 1993, they planted their first apple tree. They now farm 265 acres of trees, which include Gala, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Newtown Pippin, Arkansas Black, Crimson Gold, Fuji, and Pink Lady varieties. In 2001, Cuyama Orchards was certified organic, so there is no MCP (a dangerous chemical that preserves crunch and storage life) on these apples. Find them at the Fruit Stand!

Other Local/ Organic Menu Items:

Tuesday: Pasta Station: Organic Carrots

     Homestyle Dinner: Organic sautéed Red Chard

Wednesday: Homestyle Lunch: Organic Vegetables

                      Pasta Station Dinner: All-Organic Potato Bar

Thursday: Homestyle Lunch: Organic sautéed Kale

       Grill Station Dinner: All-Organic Bar

Friday: Homestyle Lunch: Organic Vegetables

  • Office: Johnson Student Center, 2nd Floor
  • phone: (323) 259-2629
  • e-mail: dining@oxy.edu