Visalia is located in the epicenter of agriculture and is one of the most diverse growing regions in the world. That means that the ripest, in-season produce is right at our fingertips. Locals know what chefs are creating the best eats and where to go to get the best in farm-ripened produce. When strawberries are in season in spring, we can’t seem to get enough! And don’t get us started on peaches, plums and apricots. Did we mention olive oil? Don't worry! We'll share our secrets so that you can visit like a local.
If you are wondering where the best food trucks are rolling in, check out this list of top favorites:
1. BarrelHouse Brewing Company – As a tap room, they don't make food but they do host food trucks to help satisfy the munchies. Check out their calendar to see who is pulling in and serving up popular tacos, Jamaican eats, and even Latin American French fusion dishes.
2. Farmers Market Saturday Mornings – Variety is the slice of life on Saturday mornings at the Visalia Farmers Market where you’ll find an assortment of some of the best food trucks around along with all the ripest, in-season produce.
3. Visalia Mall Food Trucks– One of the best (and perhaps most surprising) places to taste a variety of trucks is at the Visalia Mall. Those that know head on down to the Mall Parking lot to grab a bite. The Visalia Mall also hosts the Taco Truck Challenge each April when locals get to award the "best of the best" to their favorite truck crew.
4. The Thursday Night Downtown Farmers Market is at Church and Main Streets from 5:00 - 8:30 PM. Stroll the market then head to dinner at one of the many restaurants. The market is open Spring, Summer and Fall.
5. Be sure to check out the brewery and tap room at Soccer City Visalia 1852. Food venders supply the eats in the Beer Garden that pair perfectly with the brews. You might also catch a soccer match, 5X5 footy-style, on one of their three fields. This is also the place to watch FIFA soccer action and other top matches on their gigantic 16-foot wide screen.
Some of the best stops for fresh produce around Visalia
1. The obvious choice is the Visalia Farmers Market. All the farmers are certified and the selection of produce is amazing. Meet the farmers, get only the freshest in-season produce and wander through the makers-market, a collection of hand-made local products. Find them Saturday mornings year-round as well as Wednesdays during the Summer.
2. Farmer Laro’s has been selling local fruits, nuts and more at his farm stand for years located at Caldwell Avenue and Lovers Lane. Open 9-5 Monday through Saturday. 3283 E Caldwell Ave, Visalia
3. Naylor’s Organic U-Pick is a great stop in the summertime for their peaches, apricots, and plums. It’s a little off the beaten path but one bite into their juicy, ripe-from-the-tree fruit and you’ll know it was worth the drive. And picking your own fruit adds to the fun.
4. Big L Ranch: In late spring this is THE place to go for u-pick blueberries and a fun day on the farm. During prime picking season, they host Harvest Nights on Saturdays (May-June). Bring the family for some music, food, and berry picking. Later in the summer rent canoes and paddle boards for some fun on the river.
5. Farm stands are dotted around the city as well as along thr route into Sequoia National Park. Stop and see what is in season and ripe for eating.
There are many local farmers who create small batch products big on flavor that are worth exploring. Though the products may be available to purchase in shops and online, a visit to the farm really highlights what these farmers do. Here are a few worth the visit:
Naturally Nuts is a local farm store where John Oneto sells the fruits, or rather the nuts, of his labor. He grows, roasts, packages and sells his almonds, pistachios, walnuts and more. You can also find local honey from Bradshaw Farms, dried fruits, and even a selection of chocolates.
Olivaia Olive Oil is a small batch producer of estate extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and a grower of the historic ‘California Ripe Olive’ not far from Visalia in the Lindsay area, once known as the ‘olive capital of the world’. Olivaia started in 2012 with the purchase of a mature olive grove with many neglected trees over 100 years old. Their patience and hard work paid off, winning awards for their Olive Oil.
Owners Giulio Zavolta and Rachelle Bross, who also happen to be married, occasionally welcome visitors to their farm to talk about their industry and perhaps provide a taste of their award winning oils.
Vossler Farms is open seasonally in fall with their pumpkin patch and corn maze.
