Cal-Organic Farms Unites Influencers with Industry Leaders

If you know your kale from your cauliflower, you may have noticed that Cal- Organic is connecting with consumers in dynamic new ways. So far the brand, which is a division of Grimmway Farms, has garnered more than 6.6 million views of their ‘Handled with Care’ docu-series and recipe video campaign recently launched in partnership with food media company Tastemade. Last Thursday, the company’s iconic organic produce barn in Tehachapi, California became the destination for Cal-Organic’s first farm-to-table dinner experience. The event celebrated organic farming and cultivated conversation around the state of the organic industry as well as its influence in culture today.

“We are growing a community of passionate organic advocates across the country and we wanted to connect our food influencers, farmers, trade leaders, dietitians, chefs and retail partners while providing a noteworthy experience straight from the farm,” said Jeff Huckaby, President of Grimmway Farms.

Huckaby co-hosted the event with acclaimed chef Guy Turland of Santa Monica’s hip eatery Bondi Harvest. “I wanted to highlight the natural flavor and beauty of each ingredient. When produce is this good, you don’t need to do much to it,” said Turland. “We served up a magical experience within the walls of a gorgeous, old barn—candle- lit to perfection and dressed with wild flowers. It really took the saying ‘farm-to-plate’ to the next level.”

The four-course dinner featured artisanal, vegetable-forward cocktails and dishes inspired by Cal-Organic produce, and was preceded by a farm tour of Cummings Valley led by Huckaby.

“Grimmway’s nearly 1,000-acre operation in the Tehachapi Basin alone showcased their decades-long commitment to organic agriculture. The event highlighted how the techniques used to rotate crops for disease control and implement cover cropping for soil health make for both good neighbors and world class vegetables,” said Laura Batcha, CEO of the Organic Trade Association.

The evening presented a unique opportunity for a diverse group of food lovers, all passionate about organic practices, to share a meal and learn about the integrity behind the Cal-Organic brand. “We aspire to host more curated experiences in the future to bring together consumers, retailers and the many contributors empowering the organic food movement,” commented Kellen Stailey, Vice President of Marketing at Grimmway Farms. “But keep in mind, you won’t any find white tablecloths at Cal-Organic dinners—less than 48 hours after the meal, we started selling beets and broccoli from the same barn at the community farmers market we open every summer.”

The event encapsulated the importance of integrity in farming and the true meaning behind Cal-Organic’s ‘Handled with Care’ mantra.