Why I Love Living in California: Agriculture

Part of an ongoing series on what makes California — and the Sacramento region — home.

Sacramento holds an official title that says a lot about this region: America's Farm-to-Fork Capital. It's not just a marketing phrase — it reflects the reality of living in the middle of one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world.

As someone who's conscious about what I eat and where it comes from, I have a deep appreciation for the access we have here to fresh, local, organic food — the kind so many of my favorite restaurants build their menus around. When I cook at home, I use fresh ingredients as much as possible, and in Sacramento, there's never a shortage. With a farmers market happening somewhere in the region every day of the week, you can pick up fresh local produce, herbs, and meat whenever you need it.

The Heart of the Central Valley

California's Central Valley produces a substantial share of the nation's fruits, vegetables, and nuts, and Sacramento sits right in the middle of it. That proximity to farmland shapes daily life here in ways people don't always expect — abundant farmers markets, restaurants built around seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, and produce that's often picked within a day or two of reaching your table.

Sacramento even earned the nickname "Sacratomato" back when it was a hub for growing and canning tomatoes, and it was once known as the Tomato Soup Capital of the World, thanks to a Campbell's processing plant that operated here. That agricultural legacy hasn't gone anywhere — California still grows roughly 95% of the tomatoes used in the country's processed sauces, ketchup, and tomato paste, and about a third of all tomatoes grown in the U.S. come from right here.

The Central Valley's fingerprint shows up in other everyday products, too. Blue Diamond Growers, the world's largest almond processor, is headquartered in the Valley, and Sacramento was home to one of their production plants until 2026. California produces about 80% of the world's almond supply — so there's a good chance the almonds on grocery shelves anywhere in the world trace back to fields not far from here.

Why It Matters for Sacramento Living

For a lot of people moving here, the food culture is a pleasant surprise. It's not just about restaurants — it's the ease of finding truly fresh, local food nearly year-round, thanks to the growing season our climate supports. Farm-to-fork isn't a trend in Sacramento; it's simply how a lot of people eat.

Almost anytime I travel out of state, I find myself looking forward to getting home so I can eat "normally" again. Living in Sacramento means having easy access to fresh, organic, and local food, along with restaurants that make it simple to identify gluten-free options right on the menu. For anyone who eats clean or has dietary restrictions, our local restaurants make it easy to enjoy high-quality meals that actually taste great — whether you're gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, or just like eating healthy. You won't have to struggle to find something that fits, and you definitely won't get stuck eating a salad at every meal.

A Few Local Favorites

• Sacramento Farm-to-Fork Festival — an annual celebration of the region's food and wine (more on this event in my Farm-to-Fork blog post)

• Sacramento Certified Farmers Markets — held throughout the city and surrounding areas, with markets running somewhere every day, year-round

• Midtown Restaurants — many built around seasonal, locally sourced menus

• U-pick Farms in the Surrounding Valley — a favorite weekend activity for local families. Davis Ranch in Sloughhouse, just outside Sacramento, lets you pick your own produce for $0.50 per pound, with no limit on how much you can bring home

The Bigger Picture

Agriculture is woven into daily life here in a way that's hard to find in most other regions — fresher food, a stronger local food culture, and a real connection between the land and the table. It's one more layer of what makes Sacramento feel like home.

Amber Fortier | Real Estate Advisor I DRE #01990796 | Nick Sadek Sotheby's International Realty

The views expressed here are my own and reflect my personal experience living in the Sacramento region. This post is for general informational purposes and is not intended as a solicitation. Equal Housing Opportunity.