At Tanaka Farms, we believe in giving back.
Throughout the year we work with many charitable organizations.
Walk the Farm with Orange Coast Optimist (OCO Club)
Re-chartered in 1988, OCO is part of the larger community of Japanese American basketball leagues that were created post World War II as an outlet for Japanese Americans who were not welcome to play in many other open leagues. To honor the reason why these leagues began, the founders of OCO wanted to preserve and celebrate Japanese American traditions and provide cultural opportunities for its members. One of the club's mottoes has long been "We are more than basketball." We stress giving back to the community, preserving Japanese American culture, and providing development opportunities for our youth. We facilitate fellowship by encouraging the whole family to get involved in our programs and events.
Mission statement:
The mission of the OCO Club is to promote an active interest in community affairs, to work for fellowship among all people, and to aid and encourage the development of youth.
Purpose/Vision:
Create a community of leaders that encourages civic responsibility, cultural awareness, and youth leadership through community service, cultural events, and sports activities in a culturally inclusive environment.
Annual Walk the Farm fundraiser, presented by OCO and Tanaka Farms. (Always on the Saturday prior to Father’s Day)
Take a leisurely 1-mile walk around a real working farm sampling freshly harvested fruits and vegetables along the way.
100% of the net proceeds will go to providing scholarships in the School of Agriculture at Iwate University and grants to teach new farmers that will renew areas that were affected by the "Great Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami" on March 11, 2011, and also to local farmers suffering from natural disasters.
2024 Walk the Farm at Tanaka Farms
Saturday, June 15th
This year we are sending lots of aloha to our friends in Maui who are still recovering from devastating winds and fire from last August. Know that we helped rebuild the greenhouses at Maui Grown Tomatoes so that they can get back to feeding their community. We will also be supporting the Maui Food Bank's fresh-4-all program where they purchase fresh produce from local farmers and distribute to those in need. They will be opening a new distribution hub specifically for the Lahaina residents. Your efforts will go to help both the local farmers of Maui and the residents of Lahaina that lost so much.
Helping Farms Feed Families
The Tanaka Farms Helping Farms Feed Families (501c3) initiative!
History
This nonprofit is being formed as an expansion program of Orange Coast Optimist Helping Farms Feed Families which was initially formed to work with local farms to get their extra produce to local food banks. Unfortunately, the program got sidetracked with a major fundraiser Walk the Farm which was started after the earthquake/tsunami hit the northeast coast of Japan on March 11, 2011 and wiped-out thousands of farms along the fertile coast.
Purpose of the nonprofit - Educate the public about agriculture and train and help new farmers enter the world of ag.
Programs
Barnyard Educational Exhibit at Tanaka Farms - Showcasing farm animals from the community will provide the opportunity for young people to act as docents and interact and teach thousands of students and families about the role of animals in agriculture. A portion of the admission fee goes directly to Helping Farms Feeding Families to support their community programs.
Urban Farming - With many small vacant plots available in every neighborhood, these areas provide the perfect opportunity to bring the farm to local neighborhoods to educate and feed them. We are currently working on proof of concept to see actual costs and to train a lead farmer to oversee the project. Produce from each project will be sold to provide some source of funds to sustain the project and also to provide to local food pantries and food banks.
During the Corona Virus Pandemic, there were many families in need of a helping hand, as well as many local farmers and food makers that were also struggling due to a decrease in business.
With the generous support of:
Tanaka Farms
Helping Farms Feed Families (501c3)
OCO's Walk the Farm (501c3)
& Donations from awesome folks like you!
Along with the generous donations of fresh produce from:
Manaserro Farms
And as a way to support local businesses such as:
Old Town Baking Company
Batista Family Farm Milk
Family Tree Produce
Chef Adam Navidi of Oceans and Earth Restaurant
We were able to source enough fresh, high-quality food to give Community Care Packages to over 3500 families in need during the COVID-19 crisis… free of charge.
Solutions For Urban Agriculture (SFUA)
Farmer Tanaka is passionate about giving back to the community. He is a proud board member of Solutions For Urban Agriculture.
Our Mission
Solutions for Urban Agriculture offers a unique opportunity to re-imagine what is possible for agriculture in a rapidly changing landscape and society. We offer innovative solutions and educational programming for the management of resources and creative adaptation to issues of sustainability and resiliency within our food system.
"Growing Nutritious Food to Sustain Healthy Communities"
Our Team
Headed by some of California agriculture's most experienced and innovative minds, we have drawn from all areas of agriculture, food distribution, and food justice to “form a dynamic“ team capable of leading the charge for groundbreaking solutions and educational programming for the issues facing urban environments today.
Our Work
Solutions from Urban Ag has been engaged on the cutting edge of urban agriculture development. We've managed to transform and improve communities and landscapes through a variety of exciting and creative projects that serve as “stunning examples” of the amazing “versatility” of innovative agriculture.
Annual Harvest Moon Celebration! Save the date! Friday, September 20, 2024
Come join Solutions For Urban Agriculture (“SFUA”) for this once-a-year celebration - in person! We will be hosting an amazing lineup of the region’s favorite chefs and an exciting program! It will be a memorable evening of music and a great selection of craft beer and wine, all enjoyed from an incredible hilltop venue surrounded by farmland.
All proceeds from the event will go toward eradicating hunger while providing vitally important educational programming about food, wellness, and the impacts urban farming can make in our communities.
MaxLove Project
The MaxLove Project is dedicated to improving the quality of life of families facing childhood cancers, pediatric rare diseases, and chronic hospitalizations with evidence-based culinary medicine, integrative care, and emotional health. MaxLove partners with Tanaka Farms on several events throughout the year.
Fork Childhood Cancer App-Off (formerly the Farm-to-Fork Dinner)
Save the date! Saturday, September 14, 2024
FarmWalk for Kids
Make a difference with MaxLove! The MaxLove Project Farm Walk for Kids is an interactive & immersive event for families and our whole community to take action in support of those facing childhood cancers and pediatric rare diseases. The event is part farm walk, part culinary tasting, part party, all in support of the MaxLove Family! Bring your family, friends and neighbors and join us for a beautiful day at Tanaka Farms. With your support MaxLove Project can continue to provide our essential and pioneering programs and services to childhood cancer and rare disease families.
