This week’s local highlight is Spaghetti Squash from Givens Farm, which is located just 100 miles from Oxy. Spaghetti Squash is a unique member of the squash family, because after being cooked, it shreds into spaghetti-like strands, instead of maintaining it’s original texture like other squash. It is very popular as a pasta substitute, and is a good source of fiber and vitamins. In many cultures, squash is eaten as an entire meal because of its nutrition value and its “fullness factor.” Find this squash at Homestyle for lunch on Thursday.

John Givens started Givens Farm in the Goleta Valley under the “Something Good” label in 1980 with only 1 acre of land. “The farm has expanded to its present size of 180 acres in 12 locations...

The spinach served at the Marketplace Salad Bar and the Specialty Salad Station is always 100% organic and frequently comes from farms within 200 miles of Oxy, like this spinach from Kenter Canyon Farms.

Kenter Canyon Farms was founded in 1982 by Andrea Crawford, and it is still run today by her and her husband Robert. This family farm, located in Ventura County, grows lettuces, herbs, and specialty crops year-round in the fertile soil along the Santa Clara River. Their produce is harvested daily, washed and packed in their certified facility, and distributed everyday to local customers which include farmers' markets, restaurants, hotels, produce purveyors, and retail stores (And Oxy!). Oxy supports Kenter Canyon Farms because, in addition...

Del Rey Avocado Company is located in Fallbrook, California (The “Avocado Capital of the World”), just 75 miles from Oxy! Avocados are native to Central Mexico, but were introduced to the United States in the early 19th century and have thrived in the Southern California region. Southern California produces 95% of the nation’s avocados!

Del Rey Avocado Co. has been a family-owned and run business since its establishment in 1969. Del Rey maintains a close relationship with all of its growers, and packs California avocados grown from San Diego to San Luis Obispo County. At present, Del Rey Avocado averages a 10% market share of the California avocado industry, packing over 1 million cartons each year. Del Ray packs between 25-28% of all the organic avocados...