Veggie Rescue van picking up a fresh vegetable donation from Babé Farms.
“One of our partners is a Catholic charity, which mostly services a Hispanic population,” said Roberts. “Many of them didn’t know what kohlrabi or romanesco was when we first brought it in. So, a church leader created recipes on how to prepare and cook it. They ended up testing it themselves and loved it. Being able to expand people’s palate is just a fun byproduct of what we do.” This partnership is a win-win. For Babé Farms, it reduces costs and provides tax benefits. For Veggie Rescue, they have the ability to feed neighbors while protecting the planet. “Food waste makes up 19 percent of everything in U.S. landfills,” said Shugart. “Before starting this job, I didn’t realize that when food waste breaks down, it releases methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. That’s why our work is fundamentally important in so many ways.” Together, Babé Farms and Veggie Rescue show how one solution can serve two urgent needs: feeding people today and safeguarding the environment for tomorrow. Every pound of rescued food is a victory — and this partnership has magnified that impact across the Central Coast.
This past year, Babé Farms has donated more than 100,000 pounds of fresh produce—the weight of 25 cars—turning food that might have rotted in a landfill into tens of thousands of healthy meals for neighbors in need. The clock is always ticking when it comes to food, but partnerships like this ensure it isn’t wasted. Instead, it’s returned to the community as nourishment, care and hope. For Lundberg, the motivation goes beyond business metrics. “Everybody’s in business to make a living, but in the end, it’s not just about checking boxes. There are other more important things than the almighty dollar.” Beyond being a leader in specialty produce, Babé Farms stands as proof for how thoughtful strategy can dramatically reduce food waste. Food insecurity can feel like an impossible problem, but partnerships like this show that change isn’t just possible — it’s happening in our own backyard. If you are based in the Santa Barbara County area and wish to learn more about Veggie Rescue, or its free farm gleaning opportunities, visit their website at www.veggierescue.org.
33 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com November | December 2025
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