NATIONAL CITY (CBS 8) - Along Plaza Boulevard on the healthy side of the 805, a produce stand has stood for 50 years.
"There was just farm land here and the guy, whose name was Toledo, put the stand and he started serving the community," owner Todd Albayati said.
Since 1987, California Produce has been under Todd's ownership.
"I started very simple with the navel orange and then we start adding. Then, we grow from there," he said.
He and his wife Samiya opened this shop shortly after they fled Iraq, as Saddam rose to power.
"We had four daughters and they're all educated in the medical field. Two are pharmacists, two dentistry," Samiya said.
The land that gives them their fresh fruits and vegetables proved to be fertile ground.
"There's a lot of opportunity for some people who want to work really hard," Samiya said.
They've continued a tradition in National City with farm fresh produce.
California Produce offers no soda, no sugary snacks, but their cornucopia of fruits and vegetables serves the regional palates of their faithful customers.
"Not all stores have this kind of vegetables, so we always come here," a customer said.
With agri-roots that have been firmly planted for a half century, country comforts can be found in the city and dreams can still sprout from American soil.
"This is a great country," Samiya said.
California Produce
1736 E. Plaza Boulevard
National City, CA 91950
(619) 474-4165