July 7, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Farmers Market Report: Rivas Farms:

It’s all in the family for the Rivas’.

Since 1985, the Rivas clan has been growing and picking produce to sell at farmers markets in California.

“I was like seven or eight when my grandparents started,” said Irene Irebe, who was simultaneously placing strawberries into baskets to put on the table for passing farmer’s market attendees and potential customers.

Irebe’s parents eventually started their own business separate from her grandparents and the family legacy in produce continued.

“When my parents first started their own business, they couldn’t afford to hire employees so I would help them in my spare time,” she said.

On this particular Saturday, Irebe, her daughter Priscilla, and her sister Bernice Rivas were the family members running the Santa Monica “Rivas Farms” stand.

The three woke up at about 6 a.m., drove about an hour and 45 minutes to Santa Monica and got ready for the Saturday market.

A sign on the table reads: “all strawberries picked yesterday $8/pack” and a display of blood-red strawberries sit adjacent to peas, cucumbers, and other produce items the Rivas family sells.

“Everything is picked the day before,” Irebe said. “We don’t refrigerate produce so it preserves flavor. For afternoon markets, the produce is picked the day of.”

Even if people don’t purchase anything from the array of produce available, they gawk at the baskets of strawberries and ask for samples as they walk by.

Customers often ask the Rivas’ to pick out the “best basket” of strawberries or “freshest produce.”

“I could eat these all morning long!” said a customer to Irebe after tasting a sample.

One customer asked whether strawberries are one of the most popular crops the family sells, particularly during strawberry season.

The other two favorites are peas and tomatoes, which are actually the “number one crop” during the summer.

However, whether produce is in season or not, the family business fluctuates just like the economy.

“Every year is different,” Irebe said. “It just depends.”

The Rivas’ are from San Diego County, where they own land that they use to grow the crops.

All employees are family members– cousins, aunts, uncles, or very close friends, according to Irebe.

Irebe said working with her family is one of the best parts of the job.

“You spend a lot of time with the family and you get along well,” she said. “We become more united.”

Rivas Farms produce is available at the Saturday Santa Monica Farmer’s Market on Arizona Ave and 3rd St from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

in News
<>Related Posts

Hama Sushi Hosts Weekly Music and Comedy Open Mics

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The venue, a Venice Beach staple since 1979, has recently expanded its legendary happy hour to the entire patio Hama...

Connections Breakfast to Network Local Business Professionals in Malibu

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The event, sponsored by Malibu Country Mart, will feature a breakfast mixer where attendees can meet new contacts  A Connections...

12th Annual Gopher Scramble Golf Tournament to Benefit Venice Heritage Museum

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The museum opened to the public in March 2024 at the Main Street Design Center with its inaugural exhibition, “This...

Michael Madsen, Star of Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill, Dies at 67 in Malibu

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Actor Remembered for His Intense Performances and as a Poet  Actor Michael Madsen, known for his distinctive gravelly voice and...

Ruskin Group Theatre to Stage ‘The Fantasticks’

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

A timeless tale of young love and life’s bittersweet beauty, the show is reimagined with modern flair for contemporary audiences...

Film Review: F1: The Movie

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

FILM REVIEWF1: THE MOVIERated PG-13155 MinutesReleased June 27th F1: The Movie will envelop you in a racecar. You will be...

Big Blue Bus Launches Prohibition Order Program to Bolster Safety

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

The orders, which can range from 30 days to one year, target offenses that threaten the safety and comfort of...

Col. Eric Swenson Honored by LA for Historic Debris Removal Effort

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Swenson, with a distinguished military background including a Ph.D. and multiple master’s degrees from Penn State and other institutions, has...

(Video) A visit to New York Bagel & Deli in Santa Monica

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Authentic NY Style Bagels with Extra Creamy Cream Cheese and Multi-Cultural Desserts. Located at 2216 Wilshire Blvd. A visit to...

(Video) Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Go To Homefrontbuild.com For More Information @home_front_build Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles. Go...

(Video) Gladstone’s Malibu Prepares for Reopening after Surviving Palisades Fires

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

With One Half of its Structure Slightly Charred and Undergoing Repairs, Gladstone’s Malibu is Reopening its Patio Space Just in...

Santa Monica Public Library Launches Community Mapping Survey

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

The initiative aims to shape the library’s programs and services to better meet community needs, fostering an inclusive and accessible...

Third Street Promenade Loses Bibibop Asian Grill

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Bibibop opened at the Santa Monica location in 2017 after taking over a former ShopHouse space Bibibop Asian Grill, a...

Proposed Rebuilding Authority for Wildfire Recovery Sparks Local Control Debate

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Plan Aims to Streamline Rebuilding but Raises Questions Over Community Input A proposed “Resilient Rebuilding Authority” to oversee recovery from...

Pentagon Orders Troop Drawdown in LA: 150 National Guard Members Reassigned to Wildfire Duty

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Federal Forces Begin Partial Withdrawal From Protest Response as California Leaders Push Back U.S. Northern Command announced Tuesday that 150 National Guard...