Big fan of Rio Gozo…read more We joined the CSA a few seasons ago after hearing friends rave about them. I have really high standards and at first, I was a bit concerned about not directly choosing what is in my box (both content and quality) and having too much produce. My concerns faded within the first few weeks. The quality is superb - John and Elizabeth at Rio Gozo have high standards - and they grow beautiful, delicious varieties. The quantity is perfect for our family. When we've got a bit too much we just share with our friends and neighbors, or turn into rich soil amendment via compost. I love supporting local agriculture and being part of a rich community, but to be perfectly candid -- the biggest benefits to me are the time and money savings. I enjoy going to Farmers Market but I can't always get there -- and when I do, I often go overboard and spend a ton. Now I have a fridge full of fresh local organic produce in exchange for a very little amount of cash and time, and it's fun discovering new foods and varieties.

Tuesdays are "Ranchero John Day" at our house! We've been members of Rio Gozo since shortly after…read moreit started delivering to Ventura. We began by sharing a box with a friend. We soon found that we could use the entire box so committed to a year to have home delivery. The convenience of having it delivered at home has been great. It is not easy for us to make it out to the farmers markets that do have organic produce and we have been greatly disappointed by the absence of any organic produce at the Ventura Farmers Market downtown on Saturdays. Other reviews likely rave about the food itself -- so I will keep this part brief. It is fabulous. It is fresh, rich, and filled with flavor and nutrients. It is incredible to experience the different taste and texture of vegetables picked that morning. They have begun expanding by offering eggs and organic, fair trade coffee. Sometimes there are some fruits included in the haul. I look forward to them developing more organic fruit sources -- as we would love more fruit. One of our favorite aspects of Rio Gozo is that it is a calling for John and Elizabeth -- far from just an income. They truly want people to have a connection with their food source -- to know where their food comes from. And this means knowing both their farmers and the farm itself. We enjoy getting to see "Ranchero John" to talk food, farms, children and much more under the sun every week. Whenever we have a question during the week -- we hear back quickly from Elizabeth when we email. And without knowing your farmer -- how can you develop trust in the food source you are giving your family? I was concerned about lead and how it is outside the organic certification requirements. I talked with John about this and he noted that one can, of course, separately test the soil for lead. I asked if they'd done so -- and he assured me they had and that it was not a problem in their soil. If you don't trust your farmer, how can you trust your food is not lead-laden? They also want people to be able to know the farm itself. One can very happily be a CSA member, enjoy the delicious, fresh, organic produce, and no more. But if one is interested in more -- that is an option with Rio Gozo. They hold potlucks on the farm -- where you can walk around with your family (including your dog), meet other CSA members, others who coordinate with the farm (such as their egg vendor), family and friends of John and Elizabeth and more, not to mention that there is delicious, fresh, organic food. You feel as if they are truly opening their home to you. That is -- they live on the farm -- that's not all that common anymore. This is not some agri-tainment gig with caged animals taken out for a stroll for a fee. This is their home. When the gathering is around Thanksgiving, their visiting family is there to visit with you. When you need to use the restroom, it is in their home. When the sun goes down, the fires are lit outside and there is campfire music. If we want to visit the farm any other time -- we are always welcome. Recently, we were out when "Ranchero John" came by our home with the veggies. Our 3 year old was so sad to have missed him that we went to the farm the next afternoon. We did not have to make any special arrangements -- we just showed up and were welcomed. Our son loves walking around the farm -- seeing where his food comes from, pulling up a carrot fresh from the dirt, nipping off an edible flower from the arugula, getting his boots really muddy . . . . The connection our son has with the farm and farmers is such a gift to us -- from his understanding of food and its source to his sheer joy in touching and tasting at the farm. Our 9 month old daughter is just beginning to enjoy the weekly visits as well. We open up the cooler for her on the porch, she peers inside at all the veggies, and dives in. To feel that it is safe (and healthy, no less) for her to chew whatever she wishes to pick out, is such a joy for us (yes -- we watch for choking hazards). When there are flowers in the haul, we are not worried about the children touching the flowers (let alone taking a bite) for fear of pesticides that then go in their mouths when their hands inevitably enter their mouths. It's all available to them -- that's a wonderful, safe, feeling to give them. I highly recommend this CSA - it's the next best thing to your own (organic) family farm - without having to worry about Mother Nature.

After leaving Ojai, I could only think of regret. I had just eaten some very excellent strawberries…read morefrom the Sunday farmer's market and I only bought a basket. On my way out of town I saw this roadside fruit stand and hoping for lightning to strike twice I decided to pull over. I saw they had a larger variety of fruits but saw they had strawberries, not wanting to have another case of regret I bought a full flat of strawberries and headed out. They weren't the exact same but still very tasty and for the amount of fresh, strawberries-no bad ones too no less! It was just right.

I bought overpriced, and it turns out moldy strawberries. I got them home to wash, and the bottom…read moreof one basket was moldy. The rest were so mushy I had to freeze them.

We arrived towards the end of the market as they were starting to pack up and put things away…read more Still there were plenty of vendors still there offering their goods but slowly shifting and packing up. It's located in a parking lot behind the main strip and in a residential area. All street parking but it tends to be pretty easy. There's a bakery vendors that I've had a few times but they do sell out quite fast. Their fresh baked bread and sweets are one not to be missed. This visit, they weren't there in their usual section so I assume they were pretty much sold out fast. Loads of fresh organic vendors with all their goods. As it was summer, there were so many vendors with amazing tomatoes. Heirlooms, grape tomatoes and so all. Everything all looked so fresh and I'm sure it was straight from the farm that morning. Also loads of other vendors selling their homemade goods, like soap to candles to everything in between. Majority of the vendors are fresh produce so you know you'll be picking up fresh farm products. Also fresh flowers are always a must when a visiting the farmers market. Can't forget the fresh berries and fruits. Doesn't scream summer without all the fresh berries straight of the plant. Regardless what you're looking for or not, I'm sure you'll always leave with plenty of fresh things at this market. Their items are always so fresh. A must whenever I'm Ojai. It's always on a Sunday morning.

First timer to this Farmers market. I usually go to the Oxnard Harbor one but it was nice to see…read morewhat Ojai has to offer. There were a lot of flower, veggies and fruit vendors. Prices are a bit more than Oxnard prices but I do think it's great to support local especially seeing the quality difference between local vendors and grocery stores. $13 for eggs still seems a bit steep for recovering from the egg hiked prices where they are now back to $6-7 in grocery stores. There was a vendor that sells sourdough breads and she was quite popular has she always had a line. Caroline's preservative jams are amazing in flavor and quality. I also appreciated that Centri Coffee was there so that I could buy some whole beans.

This seems to be a family owned quaint and cute shop with a friendly staff. So many cute things to…read morebuy! There is outside seating a very small amount of bar seating inside. They have some tastings and it was interesting that 2/3 cabs were from Santa Barbara but one was from New York. They have ready to made sandwiches and salads in their fridge with fresh juices. We got some salami and a beet hummus. Apparently the beets are from their store's backyard? They grow their own vegetables which is cool. They have plenty of outside seating with shade and a fan. A nice location for relax and snack.

Cute little space to go sit outside and have some wine tastings and a little cold snack…read more Nestled in a cozy back area with sofas and tables to relax. Very casual and laidback wine tasting experience. Service was great. Very friendly staff. Stop by this place while in Ojai for sure.

I visited Rainbow Bridge Natural Foods in Ojai and while the food was great, the service was very…read moredisappointing. Three employees saw us at the register and ignored us. I had to call one over, and she asked me to walk to her instead of coming to the cashier. I ordered a hamburger with just cheese and a juice (which I repeated twice). The juice never came, and the burger arrived with lettuce and tomato. The attitude from the staff was not friendly, and even others in line noticed. Great food, but service is part of the experience. I hope they improve their customer service.

Rainbow Bridge is a healthy, hippie market in Ojai with all sorts of treats and eats. I've come…read morehere so many times, and sometimes honestly it's been a real "miss", usually with untrained or unfriendly employees. One time, my husband and I got the ready made "minestrone", which was a bowl of broken, soggy pasta noodles and broth. Ummmm, that's not minestrone... it's compost. Worst experience was when an employee shamed me for returning an (unused, unopened) item with the receipt. Like, what possibly could have been her problem other than she didn't want to be bothered by me to do her job? But, deep breath, other times it has been a "hit", and for those times I'm thankful. My most recent visit was the other day, with my daughter, as we were just in town for the day, and we wanted to pick up a few things to take with us on our roadtrip. We got a variety of things from organic fruit, to hummus and crackers, to vegan probiotic smoothies, and of course some yummy dark chocolates. The planets were aligned for us on this visit, and we were glad.

This small market had everything a person would need so I can walk from the house and pick up…read moreberries and a coffee and not have to get in my car to go to the larger market in town. Gotta love not having to DRIVE! I love the little fresh coffee and pastry and muffin bar just to the left when you walk in. A small coffee is only $2.29 with creamers and honey included and it's good! There's an amazing deli and I've got to try the hot food bar with tacos and burritos and bowls and the deli sandwiches which are all under $12. Prices are cheaper at VONS but you get quality here and it's super convenient and small and cozy. Employees are happy and helpful and the place is spotless and welcoming. Well done!!

This is our little local Westridge right down the street. They have done a great job organizing the…read morestore layout. I love the flow and they really maximize the space they have to fit all the classic westridge goodies in here. The hot food bar is just as pristine as the bigger store and the produce is quality too.

This was probably one of my favorite experiences as a result of walking into a random store. I…read morewasn't sure what to expect when I walked in but I was immediately greeted by Carolina who welcomed me to try anything in the store. I knew Ojai was famous for its olive oils, but Carolina especially embodies mastery and craftsmanship as reflected in her offerings of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. As I was the only patron in her shop at the time, I was privileged with her showing me various unique combinations of balsamic and olive oil. She certainly lives up to the Italian stereotype of having good taste. She suggested against me buying food for my mother for Mother's Day, but she understood when I insisted that my mom is a foodie (where I get it from). Carolina herself is classy and refined, yet still so open and welcoming, all of which also is reflected in her store. It is thus no surprise that her shop has been around for over a decade. I hope her shop is there when I am 100! If there was ever a place to stop in Ojai, I would recommend this place. A truly unique experience, unparalleled. I am bringing my mom and all my other loved ones here.

It's a cute little store. It was quiet since we were the only ones there. They have samples in a…read moreglass covered sampler. We were also told that we could sample anything even if it was closed, which was great. We were focused on the balsamic vinegar. We tried the Blackberry Reserved Balsamic, and it was amazing. I didn't ask, but they have like a salad recipe that it would be paired with or possibly sell salad there as well. So glad we decided to stop by. The lady who helped us was kind and friendly. Overall, we will be returning since the service and tasting was a pleasant experience.