FARM TO TABLE: Growing farm fresh fruits and vegetables

Small but mighty. We have learned - if you are good to the land, it will be good to you.

Small but mighty. We have learned - if you are good to the land, it will be good to you.

GrowGood was founded in 2011 by Bradley Pregerson and Andrew Hunt, who shared the vision that a large vacant lot adjacent to the Shelter could be transformed into a garden, providing food for the shelter residents, along with being a place for therapy, job training, and healing, thereby providing critical services that complemented the Salvation Army’s existing social services.

Today, with the help of thousands of volunteers, dedicated staff and Board members, and incredible financial support from our funders, GrowGood has transformed the site into a successful small farm with fruit trees, a greenhouse, garden areas, a chicken coop, a commercial greenhouse, and gathering space.

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The farm currently consists of:

  • An orchard with 71 fruit trees growing nectarines, apples, apricots, pomegranates, peaches, moringa, bananas and more.

  • A healing and herb garden with 14 raised beds, and is also currently the home to our free-range hens.

  • A 1/2 acre area of in-round row crops growing a rotation of season produce for the Bell Shelter’s kitchen.

  • A 30' x 48' commercial greenhouse that is the home to our social enterprise.

  • A California native plant garden filled with over 300 flowering, drought-tolerant plants.

  • Dedicated composting area using aerated (turned) windrows to produce organic, natural compost for the farm.

  • Naturally shaded community gathering spaces where our Food for Life classes are taught.

The farm serves more purposes than just serving food.

The farm is also a place for shelter clients to find a peaceful respite. For the larger community, it is a place to connect to the land, learn how food is grown, and learn how compost is created and used.  

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"My enlightenment level is elevated spiritually

when I am at the farm. It's almost like going to the ocean, and you got a ton of problems, and you look out at the ocean and they all melt away."

- Charlie, Former GrowGood Farmhand & Founder of IGH Gardens