As of August 1, 2022, Mesa Produce reached its 34th year of business in our community.

Mesa Produce was started by Jim Walsh along with a friend in 1988, on the corner of Cliff Drive and Meigs Road (now occupied by Corner Tap Bar and Eatery). After two years his partner left but Jim kept the stand going even after Lazy Acres opened across the street. In 1991 I answered an employment ad and was hired. The produce business quickly became my focus and career when Jim and I married in August of 1994.

As you long time customers know, we kept long hours at the store and know many of our shoppers on a first name basis. Our presence at the store became noticeably less and less in 2012 due to Jim’s diagnosis of Dementia/Alzheimer’s disease. It was a struggle but, with the support of our great staff, we kept the store running. (Big thank you to Tito and the crew!)

During our 22 years of marriage, Jim and I desired to have a baby. This desire became even more important after Jim’s diagnosis, so with a little help, we fulfilled our dreams. Hollis Allan Walsh was welcomed into our family on February 19, 2015. Hollis brings so much love and joy to our lives with his big smiles and silly giggles. No one could ask for a better little boy.  But due to the inevitable progression of Jim’s condition and a need for around the clock care, we made the decision to move Jim into Villa Alamar. This change was a difficult adjustment eased only by the caring staff found at his new home. Jim passed away on April 16, 2016. Since then I became a foster parent, as I wanted to stay home as much as possible, and fostered 5 children over that 5 year period.  Recently I was blessed with the ability to adopt my last two, Kat and Ryker.

Mesa Produce is now partnered with Chuy Berry Farm of Arroyo Grande. We’ve expanded into growing our own fruits and vegetables and have a flock of over 200 chickens including ‘Araucana’, ‘Leghorns’, ‘Silver Laced’ and ‘Rhode Island Reds’. With such a broad spectrum of chickens we carry eggs in an array of colors. A large part of their diet includes scraps from the store and leftovers from the farm. With all of these happy, healthy, and well fed chickens, we now exclusively sell our own eggs.

Our produce can now be found in 3 locations around Santa Barbara and Montecito as well as Farmer’s Markets around Santa Barbara county including Solvang, Goleta, Santa Barbara, Montecito and Carpinteria.

Life brings change, some good and some bad, but Mesa Produce continues the way Jim envisioned… always bringing fresh local produce to the Mesa without a middleman.

Jennifer Walsh