Few fresh fruit and vegetable producers can lay claim to having been founded on a commitment to organic produce, as compared to adding them to their lines as demand became forefront.

Lakeside Organic Gardens in Watsonville, CA, is one exception. The company was founded in 1996 by Dick Peixoto and his extended family with determination to produce only organically.

Katie Bassmann, marketing and communications director for the company, said that it now produces over 45 organic vegetables.

“Some of the most highly demanded are leaf lettuces, celery, cauliflower and kales,” said Bassmann. “Our Asian line, which includes bok choy, baby bok choy and Napa cabbage are also big sellers.”

Lakeside Organic Gardens has partnered with Ocean Mist Farms since July 2015 in growing organic artichokes. And it is now producing one of the newest vegetables to be introduced to the public, “Kalettes.”

“Kalettes” are a marriage between Brussels sprouts and kale, resulting in colorful combination of green and purple super food.

“In order to meet our commitment as a year-round supplier, Lakeside Organic Gardens grows in Watsonville in the Pajaro Valley,” explained Bassmann. “During the winter months we grow in the Imperial Valley of California.”

The company’s clientele list spans large chain retailers, wholesalers, distributors and local specialty markets regionally, nationwide and in Western Canada.

Bassmann pointed out that the organic market is strong today.

“And it is growing every year,” she said. “We are now at the cusp of big growth in organic produce. We support all efforts to spotlight, grow and educate the public regarding certified organic grown produce.”

In November, Lakeside Organic Gardens announced that it moved its administration offices to a new location.

“We are now one mile down the road from our previous location,” said Bassmann. “Our new office, on Sakata Lane, houses accounting, human resources, marketing, compliance and administration departments. This is a recent land purchase by Lakeside Organic Gardens and the first since our founding.”

She added that the company’s temporary office sits on site at the future home of its cooler, shipping and corporate offices. Shipping functions remain unchanged on Holohan Road in Watsonville. Contact phone and fax numbers also are unchanged, “as well as Lakeside Organic Gardens’ commitment to supplying our customers with the freshest, high-quality organic vegetables year round,” Bassmann added.

Lakeside Organic Gardens lays claim to now being the largest family owned and operated solely organic vegetable grower and shipper in the United States.