New farm dedicated to Second Harvest

Volunteers recently helped plant the first 26,000 cabbages at the 45-acre farm, which is projected to supply more than a half-million pounds of fresh vegetables each month to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.

A new farm is sprouting up in Irvine to feed the hungry.

Volunteers recently helped plant the first 26,000 cabbages at the 45-acre farm, which is projected to supply more than a half-million pounds of fresh vegetables each month to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.

“This is a historic day,” said Second Harvest Board Chairman Dave Coffaro. “Few food banks, if any, have attempted to grow their own food on this large of a scale. It’s our unique good fortune to have access to 45 acres in the heart of Irvine.”

The farm, located at the University of California’s South Coast Research and Extension Center on Irvine Boulevard, will be maintained primarily by volunteers. It is expected to produce its first harvest on Nov. 16.