renovating an old greenhouse nursery in Brea , CA , while introducing chickens and goats to the property . The operation soon spread to include multiple greenhouses , and with the acquisition of tilapia fish he launched what became the largest aquaponics system in Southern California . This system now provides both fresh fish and produce daily , and supplies not only his Ocean & Earth restaurant and bakery , but is also shipped out to other restaurants and local farmers ’ markets . Navidi says that all the produce is delivered with most of its root mass intact , which retains its fresh-picked flavor and , in turn , provides a better tasting meal . With more than a dozen employees and interns at the farm and restaurant , Navidi ’ s vision is now carried through in the effort and mindset of his staff . The overall goal is to provide clean , healthy food prepared by some of the best chefs around and dished up by a talented staff . The name of the 65-acre Future Foods Farm also serves to articulate Navidi ’ s assertion that this method of farming is the future of food , and he leads tours of the property to better get the word out . A staple of their moderately-priced daily menu is the fresh tilapia , prepared with many different options ; other unique dishes include stinging nettle pasta served with sea urchin sauce , or a simple burger with chips fried in grapeseed oil . All menu items served utilize fresh , organic , and local ingredients , like grass fed beef purchased from other vendors .
Whether it is getting his hands dirty in the soil beds , cleaning the fish tanks , or placing seedlings in net pots for the aquaponic grow beds , the chef is always busy .
The bakery is located inside the Ocean & Earth restaurant ’ s kitchen , and takes over the space when the restaurant is closed , so there is almost always something happening on-site . Using only gluten-free ingredients , the bakery both produces goods for the public and all of the baked items for the restaurant , which helps Navidi stick by his belief that a great burger begins with a great bun . Daily work on the farm clears his mind from the demanding and timeconsuming duties of running such a diverse enterprise , says Navidi . “ Feeding the fish gives my mind a chance to relax ,” he adds . Whether it is getting his hands dirty in the soil beds , cleaning the fish tanks , or placing seedlings in net pots for the aquaponic grow beds , the chef is always busy . It ’ s not hard to see how this style of farming could very well be the future of fresh and healthy eating , with no pesticides , and heirloom seeds providing the best-tasting , non-GMO produce around . Future Foods Farm , along with Ocean & Earth restaurant , are shining examples of what hard work and foresight can offer .
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