A temporary mural at Vintage Faire Mall in Modesto is honoring local agricultural workers. The artwork, which will be displayed for at least six months, depicts people harvesting tomatoes and almonds, milking cows, and gathering chicken eggs. The mural is installed on the facade of a vacant restaurant near the Apple store and several outdoor dining areas.
The project was created digitally by Macerich, the mall’s parent company, with input from the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau Foundation and the Modesto Irrigation District. A ribbon-cutting event was held to mark its installation, attended by partners including the Modesto Chamber of Commerce.
“We provide food across the nation and in some cases around the world,” said chamber CEO Trish Christensen. “It’s important that our community overall knows that, and that our next generation coming up also learns that.”
The four-panel mural features Spanish words to recognize Latino workers who make up much of the hired farm labor force. One panel focuses on water: “Agua is life, flowing from our Sierra snowpack through rivers, reservoirs and canals to nourish the orchards, vineyards and fields that feed our community.” Another panel states: “Our farms grow more than comida (food). They grow opportunity.” A third reads: “Hard-working manos (hands) and local farms bring fresh, delicious produce to our tables. There’s contentment in every bite.” This last phrase references Modesto’s downtown arch motto: “Water, wealth, contentment, health.”
Vintage Faire Mall opened in 1977 with a name referencing wine grapes—a crop included in its logo alongside a shopping bag and sun. The mural occupies space previously used by MidiCi pizza restaurant; mall marketing manager Amy MacPhail said they hope to lease it to another eatery in 2026.
Recent additions to the outdoor dining area include Kura Revolving Sushi Bar among other culinary options both outside and inside at the food court.
Stanislaus County reported an estimated $3.15 billion in gross farm income for 2024 according to its agricultural commissioner. This figure represented a 6% decrease from 2023 due mainly to bird flu outbreaks affecting poultry and egg production; however, Stanislaus remains among California’s top ten agricultural counties.
The county Farm Bureau began as an organization of landowners in 1914 but recently established its foundation to educate people about where their food comes from. Board member Deanna van Klaveren explained this mission during the mural event; she co-owns Generation Growers west of Modesto.
“We’re really excited about how (the mural) turned out and the information that’s going to be shared with all of these people who pass through,” van Klaveren said.
