For those looking to reunite with nature and support a meaningful cause, Bloom Lunch offers the perfect escape. Located in Acton, a peaceful town of Acton, about 50 miles north of Los Angeles, Bloom Ranch stands as the county’s largest black-owned farm with a mission to maintain the heritage of Black farming while nourishing the community through organic farming.
Bloom Ranch’s roots date back to 1891, with the generation planting seeds in Actons for over 127 years. Currently under the ownership of Dr. Bill Leleford, a podiatric surgeon with over 35 years of experience in medicine, Bloomlanchi continues its legacy with a focus on health, wellness and sustainability.
“It was the culmination of my passion for bringing health and wellness to the community,” said Dr. Leleford, who has earned a total of 250 acres with the Rand, becoming the owner of LA County’s largest black-owned farm. “It’s an incredible responsibility, and I’m honored to be humble and have the privilege of transporting the torch of Bloom Ranch and its legacy to the next generation.”
The farm covers 250 acres of fertile land and features lush lilacs, trees and fields specializing in seasonal organic produce, including fresh lettuce, kale, collard greens, onions, marigolds, apples and signature peaches. Each season, autumn brings new harvests focused on pumpkins, marigolds and apples, while spring and summer brings a bounty of soft greenery.
Bloom Ranch isn’t just a farm. It’s a destination for those looking for weekend getaways or road trips where visitors can enjoy nature while supporting local farming. Dr. Lelford emphasized the importance of promoting health through the food we eat, saying, “We really don’t get medical care in this country. We are trying to decide how to care for more sick people. Let’s talk about preventing some of these chronically preventable diseases from the ground at Bloom Ranch.”
As a healthcare professional, Dr. Leriford has witnessed an astounding rate of amputation in the African American community, primarily due to preventable diseases such as diabetes. Through Bloom Ranch, he aims to combat these health disparities by promoting the benefits of eating fresh, organic, locally produced foods.
“We want to fine-tune and customize the whole whole aspect of food really being a medicine,” he explained. “We make health and wellness more accessible to everyone, especially the black and brown community.”
At Bloom Ranch, visitors can enjoy more than just agricultural produce. The farm also sells locally-made products such as eggs, candles, soap, honey, coffee and even chicken.
For those who cannot reach the farm directly, Bloom Ranch offers seasonal bounty boxes filled with fresh, organic produce delivered to your door, offering a taste of the farm’s harvest from the comfort of your home.
For those planning a visit, the ranch will welcome families to come and choose their own peaches, pears and pumpkins and create a custom marigold bouquet.
“We really want our families to come out and walk through the trees,” Dr. Lelford said. “You can sit down and have a picnic with your family and just be part of the land.”
Bloom Lunch is open all year round and offers fresh produce and the opportunity to immerse yourself in the truly overall agricultural experience. Whether you choose seasonal fruits, enjoy a peaceful environment, or learn about missions focused on farm health, Bloom Ranch will visit you, support local black-owned farms and embrace a more sustainable, health-conscious lifestyle.
“I stand on the backs of many people who have made incredible sacrifices to enable them to have the ability and work ethic to maintain something like this,” Dr. Leleford said. “If there’s a challenge, there’s an artifact in mankind. This is my artifact: bringing fresh, organic, non-pesticide vegetables to those who need it the most.”
Bloom Ranch’s heritage focuses on providing health, wellness and the community with fresh, organic produce.
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