(CLAIR | SIMI VALLEY) — For nearly 25 years, the “Strawberry Man” and his family have been bringing fresh, sweet strawberries to the streets of Simi Valley. Today, the tradition continues, with locals lining up at the red truck parked in front of Denny’s near Stearns Street to grab a taste of the freshest strawberries in town.
Now, the next generation is stepping up. Jonathan Lazo, the grandson of Mr. Martinez, has taken on a larger role, handling social media updates and helping at the stand. He’s making sure Simi Valley residents know when and where to find their favorite fruit, and he’s already teasing something exciting: cherries coming in May or June.
The Martinez family is well-known for bringing fresh fruit to the residents of Simi Valley. Over the years, they’ve sold strawberries from multiple locations, including spots on Madera across from the Buffet, and another near Sinaloa. While those locations aren’t always unavailable, their red truck on Stearns Street remains the go-to spot.
Jonathan recalls how he started helping his grandfather back in middle school, working summers at the stand and learning the family business firsthand. “I remember our first location, the empty lots across from K-Mart,” he said. “It’s been almost 25 years since my grandfather and his children started this business, and it’s always a pleasure helping him out.”
For many Simi Valley residents, buying strawberries from the Martinez family isn’t just about the fruit—it’s about supporting a friendly local vendor and keeping a long-standing tradition alive.
“We love your strawberries,” one customer shared on social media. “Thank you to you and your grandpa for what you do.”
Another added, “These are the best strawberries—so much better than what you get in stores.”
Even though the strawberries aren’t officially labeled organic, Jonathan assured customers, “I’m at the fields right now, watching them being pulled out of the ground.”
How to Get Your Strawberries
The Strawberry Man’s truck operates Monday through Saturday, starting at 10 a.m., and stays open until they sell out. Find them at: Stearns Street, in front of Denny’s
For a quarter of a century, the Martinez family has been bringing farm-fresh fruit directly to the people of Simi Valley. As Jonathan and the next generation step up, the legacy of the Strawberry Man continues—one basket at a time.
