Food Products
Agua Dulce Vineyards, Santa Clarita. |
L.A. County Food Products
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Once upon a time, L.A. County was California’s largest agricultural county with endless orange groves, farms and ranches scattered through its valleys.
Today, the emphasis is less on growing crops and raising livestock and more on preparing and marketing these products to satisfy the needs of a hungry nation and a growing international clientele.
Blessed with a nearly ideal growing climate, there remains significant nursery and landscaping activity within the County. The Antelope Valley, in the northern reaches of the County, continues to be a major producer of alfalfa, root vegetables and tree fruits, employing over 1,400 workers.
Another 64,000 people work processing, marketing and retailing foodstuffs, flowers and fresh grown produce throughout the County.
Key employers in this segment include Farmer John, a well-known meat packer in Vernon, famous for their “Dodger Dogs” served at Dodger Stadium, Nestle Foods, with USA headquarters in Glendale, and Sunkist Growers, the famed citrus cooperative with executive offices in the San Fernando Valley.
Scores of farmer’s markets in cities throughout the County offer fresh produce that is grown locally. As more people realize the environmental benefit of eating locally grown food, L.A. County’s food and agricultural industry will undoubtedly continue to grow.