Summer has officially arrived in the Tehachapi-Cummings Valley, with the annual opening of the Cal-Organic Farms produce stand in Tehachapi, providing residents and visitors alike with direct access to the Valley's freshest, organic fruits and vegetables – right from the farm.

"Residents tell us they wait all year for the stand to open," said Jeff Huckaby, president of Grimmway Farms, the parent company of Cal-Organic. "We operate the stand on Bear Valley Road, as we have for years, which beckons customers with its simple, bold and historic 'organic produce' stenciled signage."

Huckaby noted that when the stand first opened, it offered only items grown in the Tehachapi area.

"Demand is now so great we send an additional delivery each Friday night, so that on Saturday customers can have their pick of the organics we're harvesting in Bakersfield, Lamont and Arvin, as well."

Cal-Organic Farms first opened its Tehachapi produce stand in 2007 in response to requests from local residents looking to purchase fresh, organic produce. Today, the stand offers a wide variety of farm fresh options, including beets, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, corn, carrots, cauliflower, chard, daikon, dill, fennel, green onions, leeks, lettuce (butter, leaf, iceberg, romaine), mustard greens, potatoes and radishes.

The stand, located at 23968 Bear Valley Road in Tehachapi, will be open every Saturday, June 11 through September 3. Operating hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and cash and checks are accepted (no credit or debit cards).