WATSONVILLE, CA - The words “skirt steak” are enough to get me to show up to nearly any event. That explains why my ears perked up the second I heard about California Giant Berry Farms’ annual Skirt Steak BBQ, a valiant and flavorful effort to support its community in “berry big ways.”

“Giving back to our community is at the heart of California Giant Berry Farms,” Kyla Oberman, Director of Marketing, explains to me. “It’s invigorating to see 1,000-plus people support our collective effort to give back, especially given the times we live in today. Due to last year’s lockdown, the BBQ had to be cancelled, so we are pleased to be at it again this year!”

The annual Skirt Steak BBQ—which takes place this year on August 31—was initiated by the California Giant sales office in 2006 and provides funds for the causes and local organizations that the company supports. What began with a lunch for about 50 people has transformed into a community-wide tradition and is now one of the largest fundraising events put on by the California Giant Foundation.

Toward the end of the year, the cumulative total of funds raised during the BBQ and other fundraising events from the year are divided amongst several non-profit organizations. In addition, every dollar raised by this event is matched by the Founders of California Giant, Bill Moncovich and Frank Saveria. With a goal of selling 1,000 skirt steak lunches this year, California Giant hopes to raise a total of $40,000 from the BBQ.

“This is an all hands on deck event, organized and run by the staff of California Giant’s headquarters office—from the pre-planning organization, donation solicitations, purchase of ingredients, selling of tickets, all the way down to the cooking,” Kyla tells me. “These lunches are homemade from the dedicated generosity of the California Giant staff who live and breathe the company’s vision and values of giving back to our community.”

Anyone and everyone is welcome to attend the event, and lunches will be sold for $20.00, including skirt steak, garlic bread, salad complete with homemade dressing, fresh strawberries and blueberries, and a homemade cookie. For those unable to attend and receive an actual lunch, tickets by way of donations are still encouraged, and can be purchased online. All unclaimed meals and leftover cooking ingredients are donated to Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes, a community-based organization dedicated to alleviating hunger among working poor families, farm workers, and elderly, disabled, and homeless individuals of the Pajaro Valley.

If you’re hungry for a mouthwatering skirt steak alongside some delicious berries with a homemade touch, join California Giant to support those in need. As the grower says, “giving back is always in season.”

California Giant Berry Farms