In the 1990's, after watching a news broadcast about the health hazards linked to genetically modified foods, a disappointed Hilario Alvarez knew he wanted better for his family, employees and customers. So in 1992, Alvarez Organic Farms became one of the few certified organic producers in Washington.

In those days, going organic wasn't considered the wisest move, many consumers where not well informed or still very skeptical about organics. After certification came slight increase in prices, soon Hilario's customers began disappearing.

In an effort to find a market for his under-appreciated produce, he began traveling to the Seattle area to participate in local farmers markets. Fortunately, his focus on variety made him unique and popular in the Seattle Farmers Market Scene. Our well known peppers have amounted quite a following earning us nationwide recognition.

We were featured on Washington Grown!!

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Hilario Alvarez (left) with son, Eddie. Photo: Zachary D. Lyons.

Check out our part on Good Food!!

Good Food is a northwest film production by Bullfrog Films, focused on sustainable northwest farming. To see what people are saying about Good Food or to order a copy visit Bullfrog films page

Farm Info

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Alvarez Organic Farms has been family owned and operated since it first began in 1981. The farm is located in the Lower Yakima Valley in Mabton, WA, just off of I-82. We currently farm about 80 acres that are divided between four land parcels. Each land parcel is certified organic. Our water supply comes from the Yakima River, provided by Sunnyside Valley Irrigation. In 2014 we installed a state of the art drip irrigation system that has dramatically improved our water conservation efforts.

Help Us Give Back To Your Community

Alvarez Organic Farms maintains a close relationship with local food banks within our farmers market community. We never ask our customers to buy a ridiculous amount, so we can donate a small portion to charity. Regardless of sales, most of our fresh produce left over at the end of the market is donated to local food banks throughout the Puget Sound area. Hilario Alvarez's openhandedness helps bring hundreds of fresh meals to people in need every year.