In California’s Central Valley, farming isn’t just an occupation—it’s a foundation. And when it comes to growing bold, nutrient-dense vegetables, Modesto holds its own. This region, with its fertile soil and long growing season, is where some of the best beets in the state take root.
At Project FoodBox, we source our beets from family-run farms in and around Modesto, CA, where growers understand that great flavor starts underground. These beets are earthy, vibrant, and full of the nutrients that make them a powerhouse in your kitchen. Grown with care, harvested at the right time, and delivered fresh, they’re a perfect fit for a food system built on responsibility and quality.
The Central Valley is often called the breadbasket of the nation—and for good reason. Stretching for hundreds of miles through the heart of California, it produces a quarter of the country’s food. But beyond the stats, it’s a place where generations of growers have cultivated a deep knowledge of the land.
In Modesto, beet fields benefit from deep, loamy soils and a consistent climate that supports steady growth. This combination allows the roots to grow dense and sweet, with that rich, slightly mineral flavor that makes beets stand out.
Beets from this region don’t just taste good—they tell a story of sustainable farming in a region shaped by resilience, tradition, and innovation. Many farms here use cover cropping and crop rotation to maintain soil health, while irrigation is managed with water conservation in mind—a must in a place where every drop counts.
If you’ve only had canned beets or supermarket versions, the fresh, field-grown variety is a game-changer. Here’s what you’ll notice with Modesto-grown beets:
You’ll get a vegetable that’s not only more flavorful, but also more thoughtfully produced. And because they’re grown close to home, they spend less time in transit and arrive with more nutrients intact.
Many of the beet farms around Modesto are still family-owned. The operations are large enough to supply consistent, high-quality crops—but small enough that the farmers still walk their fields regularly and stay hands-on in their methods.
One of the farms we work with started with just 10 acres in the 1970s. Today, it’s expanded, but the values remain the same: build soil health, respect the seasons, and grow food people can trust.
Their beets are grown in open fields using a mix of traditional and regenerative techniques—rotating crops to avoid nutrient depletion, managing weeds without synthetic herbicides, and harvesting by hand or low-impact equipment that avoids compacting the soil.
When we talk about local food, this is what we mean: growers who are part of their communities, who understand their ecosystems, and who take pride in growing something simple, clean, and good.
Beets have made their way into everything from smoothies to salads—and for good reason. They’re naturally sweet, beautifully colored, and packed with fiber, folate, and potassium. But you don’t need a trendy recipe to make them work.
Here are a few easy ways to enjoy them:
Fresh beets are forgiving and flavorful. Once you try them straight from a regional source, you’ll see why we keep them in our regular rotation.
We include Modesto-grown beets in our boxes not just because they’re good—but because they represent what Project FoodBox is about: food that’s connected. Connected to place, to people, and to health.
When you cook with ingredients that come from close by, you’re making a small but meaningful shift. You’re reducing environmental impact. You’re supporting real farmers, not corporations. And you’re feeding yourself food that’s grown with care, not shortcuts.
Modesto’s farmers are part of a regional ecosystem that’s trying to grow better. And when we support that effort—through sourcing, purchasing, and sharing their stories—we become part of something more sustainable.
Beets are more than colorful—they’re powerful. Nutritionally, they bring a lot to the table:
Whether roasted, raw, or blended into a smoothie, these earthy roots provide deep nourishment—perfect for a wellness-focused kitchen.
At Project FoodBox, we think of wellness as a whole: what we move through, what we eat, how we care. Local food like Modesto’s beets fits right into that framework. It’s not just good for your plate—it’s good for the planet and the people growing it.
These aren’t just beets—they’re a reflection of what’s possible when food is grown with care, close to home, and delivered with purpose. From Modesto’s fertile soil to your kitchen, these bold, nutrient-rich roots carry the flavor of the Central Valley and the values we stand for: sustainability, quality, and connection.
When you enjoy produce like this, you're not only feeding your body—you’re supporting farmers who prioritize the health of their land and their communities. It’s one small choice that adds up, week after week, bite after bite.
Keep an eye out for Modesto beets in your upcoming Project FoodBox deliveries. When they show up, roast them, slice them, sauté the greens—and know you’re part of a local food system that works better for everyone.
Roasting whole with the skin on brings out their natural sweetness. After roasting, the skins rub off easily.
Absolutely. The greens are nutrient-rich and can be sautéed, added to soups, or blended into smoothies.
Yes—these are table beets, grown for eating fresh, not for industrial sugar production. Different variety, different purpose.