Exploring Food, Culture, and Connection at the Mission San Juan Farm
What does a food bank look like to you?
For many, the image is shelves of canned goods or a busy distribution line. But in San Antonio, it also looks like rows of vegetables, heritage crops watered by ancient irrigation systems, and volunteers tending soil just behind a historic mission.
Welcome to the Mission San Juan farm—where agriculture, history, and food access intersect in one of the most powerful and inspiring tours in South Texas.
This historic site isn’t just any farm—it’s part of Texas’ only UNESCO World Heritage Site, where 50 acres are actively cultivated by the San Antonio Food Bank on land that has been farmed for over 300 years.
Why This Farm Tour Is Different
Tucked behind the 18th-century Mission San Juan, the San Antonio Food Bank cultivates land not just to feed people, but to teach. This isn’t just about fresh produce—it’s about restoring knowledge, connecting with cultural foodways, and understanding the full cycle of food justice.
- “Incredible experience! My family and I learned so much about how this farm operates and how it's feeding people across San Antonio. Mitch was very engaging and knowledgeable. A must-do for locals and visitors alike.”
The farm uses both modern sustainable practices and traditional acequia irrigation. These historic water channels—whose roots trace back to the Middle East, Rome, and Mesoamerica—still flow today at Mission San Juan. At the mission farm, visitors can see how the wooden gates once controlled water and crops were planted on berms to capture the irrigation.
The farm grows crops tied to regional food culture while equipping community members with tools to understand hunger—not as charity, but as a systems challenge. Farm staff love teaching visitors how crops like nopal cactus, figs, and amaranth are being grown here as part of a climate-resilient future.
Led by Passionate Educators
Tours at Mission San Juan Capistrano are led by Mitch Hagney and the dedicated staff of the San Antonio Food Bank. Mitch is known for his passion for food systems, and his team brings the same care and clarity to every tour. These are not scripted walks—they're immersive, thoughtful, and deeply grounded in the realities of farming and feeding a city.
- “Mitch and his staff are amazing guides. You can tell they truly care about what they do, and they made the experience so educational without ever being boring.”
A Living Lesson in San Antonio’s Future
The San Antonio Food Bank supports over 100,000 households weekly across 29 counties. The farm at Mission San Juan plays a small but meaningful role in that mission—connecting people to the roots of nourishment, stewardship, and resilience.
- “One of the most meaningful and informative farm tours I've ever taken. It changed the way I think about hunger and agriculture in Texas.”
How to Visit
Every ticket supports the San Antonio Food Bank’s mission to fight hunger and teach food literacy across 29 counties. Since 1980, the Food Bank has served as a lifeline for families—and today, it stewards the farm at Mission San Juan to connect visitors with the roots of a resilient food system.
Tours are available for groups of 10 or more by request, and all proceeds help sustain local farm education and outreach efforts.
📍 Mission Farm Tour with San Antonio Food Bank →
📅 Request for schools, organizations, or community groups
💡 Led by knowledgeable staff passionate about food, culture, and community impact
📝 Note: All quotes in this post are from real Delve guests who’ve taken the Mission San Juan farm tour. You can read additional reviews and booking details on the experience page.
