Located in the hills of Valley Center, California, is a farm with fresh vegetables, fruits, and eggs. Introducing our newest farm partner: Peter Schaner

Forty years ago, Peter and Kayne Schaner bought this land, then completely bare. “We started from nothing. There wasn’t even a decent road,” Peter recalled. “But we just wanted to grow organic products, and grow them the right way.” From a contractor to a full-time farmer, in some ways, he considers this to be the world’s most honest work.

Peeling a Small Onion

When we asked Peter whether there was ever a moment in forty years of farming when holding product standards felt nearly impossible. Peter went quiet for a moment and brought us back to 2016, one season, the onion harvest came in unusually small. “The weather was bad that year. The onions came in small and didn’t look great,” Peter said. “Someone suggested me to just sell them off cheap to at least recover some of the cost. Honestly, by that point I’d already spent everything I had on that season.”

He paused, looking out towards the fields.

“I knew in my heart that this batch couldn’t pass my standards. I grow them so people can eat something truly good. The money I lose, I can earn back. But that contradicts my original motivation in starting this farm.” Peter returned to the field in silence and picked out all the small onions.

No supervision, no punishment, no waiting. One standard.

The Disappearing of Family Farms

Due to continued pressure from cuts such as corporate farming, high operating costs, and labor shortages, many small farmers are struggling to survive. Data indicates that California lost 25,000 family farms in the last 25 years. Under this condition, the line between what can be sold and what should be sold is blurred.

We refuse to Stand Aside

“I remember on a Wednesday morning, I recieved a call asking for a tour around our farm.” Peter laughed. Peter took our team through the whole farm, from the Valencia orange trees to the avocado trees. As Peter tries to recall the whole conversation, one thing comes into his mind: “You asked what soil was used. You asked what varieties I had, but not the prices.” In that moment, he finally understood. Without that phone call, Schaner Farms might not have made it through the hardest period.

Today, Schaner Farms is Sweetgreen’s official partner in our local sourcing network in California. It currently supplies us with reed avocados, Valencia oranges, purple onions, and Meyer lemons (Products may vary by season), which are brought to you by the Schaner family with love and care. Click to view our menu!

The Sweetgreen Team
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