the turnover that a lot of agricultural companies do, and that’s something I’m proud of,” he said. As a large-scale grower, Babé balances commercial standards with on-the-ground realities. Not every head of lettuce is the right size for a supermarket display, and not every crop can be sold before demand shifts. For Babé, reducing waste is both practical and principled. While donating the surplus to food banks is ideal in theory, it can only move so much product, sometimes rejecting donations if they are oversupplied. “The last thing we wanted to do was run a disc through it or throw it away,” Lundberg said. “It’s just so wasteful, given everything that’s going on in the world. There’s always someone that can use fresh vegetables.” When traditional food banks can’t absorb sudden oversupply, farms need fast, flexible partners, and that’s where Veggie Rescue comes in. Veggie Rescue’s model is designed for speed. Within 24 hours of a pick-up, produce is delivered to schools, senior centers, churches and various nonprofits. Executive Director Eryn Shugart, along with Program Director David Roberts, oversees pick-ups and deliveries for dozens of participating organizations within the area they serve: Santa Barbara County. Shugart says although the county is often perceived as a place of privilege, known for its affluence and celebrity presence, it also Babé Farms harvest crew member stacks freshly packed boxes of celery root onto a pallet.
Beet harvest in action at Babé Farms.
Lundberg and his mother at Santa Barbara County Farm Day 2025.
Photos courtesy of Babé Farms.
31 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com November | December 2025
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