Grimmway Sees Strong Carrot Demand Amid Inflation

Grimmway Farms, based in Bakersfield, CA, traces its roots to a produce stand opened by the Grimm brothers in the early 1960s. Today, the company is a global produce leader and the world’s largest producer of carrots.

Grimmway has been a leader in organics and growing organically since 1995. In 2001, it acquired Cal-Organic Farms, an industry pioneer. Cal-Organic Farms began operating in 1984 with a quarter acre of lettuce and the determination to do things differently—and it now produces more than 65 USA-grown crops year-round.

“Grimmway and Cal-Organic are committed to caring for customers, honoring sustainable practices, and preserving natural resources for future generations,” said Jeff Huckaby, President and CEO of the company. “Demand for our organic vegetables has been very strong over the last several years, and we continue to grow our acreage to satisfy demand.”

Jeff Huckaby, President and CEO, Grimmway Farms

The company produces organic vegetables on more than 50,000 certified organic acres and focuses on the welfare of the land and the people that make it possible.

“Grimmway and Cal-Organic are committed to caring for customers, honoring sustainable practices, and preserving natural resources for future generations.” - Jeff Huckaby

“For more than 20 years, we have fostered a remarkable track record of innovation in organic farming practices that are a model for the industry and exceed USDA standards,” Huckaby said. “Each of our 65 organic crops are grown free of synthetic pesticides, preservatives, and genetically modified organisms.”

Since 2000, Grimmway has increased its organically farmed acreage by more than 45,000 acres in seven states, and converting crops from conventional to organic acreage is an ongoing priority across its growing regions in California, the Southeast, and Northwest. 

“Across our organic operations, Grimmway feeds the soil to feed the plants, utilizing naturally occurring soil biology to break down organic fertilizers in a controlled way, increasing soil organic matter and health and minimizing leached nutrients into groundwater,” Huckaby said. “Grimmway uses cover crops to improve soil structure and tilth in various production regions, interspersing legume/grain and safflower plants in crop rotation cycles to provide organic matter and foster microbial activity.”

“For more than 20 years, we have fostered a remarkable track record of innovation in organic farming practices that are a model for the industry and exceed USDA standards.” - Jeff Huckaby

In 2022, Grimmway is particularly excited about the Cal-Organic Farms Carrot and Dip snack trays that offer consumers a generous portion of organic carrot chips and organic dip in three flavors—hummus, guacamole, and ranch. 

“The product is perfect for snacking on the go or adding to a lunch box,” said Eric Proffitt, EVP of sales and marketing. “Distribution of this product began last year, and consumer response to date has been very encouraging.”

Eric Proffitt, EVP of Sales and Marketing, Grimmway Farms

With the very tight labor market making it difficult for restaurants and foodservice institutions to fully staff kitchens, Grimmway offers a variety of value-added foodservice carrot packs in virtually every form a chef can imagine. These products are ready to use right out of the bag and eliminate the need to prepare whole carrots into the form required for menu preparations. 

“Further, Grimmway offers these value-added products in rainbow carrot varieties for delicious and elegant preparation at a lower cost than many other vegetables,” Proffitt said.

Additionally, the company theorizes that carrots offer retailers and shoppers a great value play in an inflationary environment the country hasn’t experienced in decades. And this is supported by evidence of accelerating demand for carrots over the past year as inflation pressures mounted.

“Further, Grimmway offers these value-added products in rainbow carrot varieties for delicious and elegant preparation at a lower cost than many other vegetables.” - Eric Proffitt

“Data from IRI and internal sales data reveal that carrot demand accelerated significantly in 2021 and continues to grow in 2022,” Proffitt said. “Carrots appear well positioned for continued strong demand for the foreseeable future. As demand grows, Grimmway works diligently to fulfill rising customer orders.”

As the largest carrot grower in the world and the largest grower of organic produce in the US, Grimmway leadership takes pride in their ability to provide fresh, healthy products to millions of consumers around the world.

“It is not a responsibility we take lightly—or for granted,” Huckaby said. “‘Do what you say you’re going to do and treat people the way you want to be treated’ is a credo, articulated by Grimmway Farms founders Rod and Bob Grimm, that continues to guide Grimmway’s actions and decisions more than 50 years later. Today, Grimmway continues to grow sustainably while staying true to our legacy and core values.”

“Carrots appear well positioned for continued strong demand for the foreseeable future. As demand grows, Grimmway works diligently to fulfill rising customer orders.” - Eric Proffitt

Grimmway has also been giving back to the communities in which it operates since its inception, investing in employees, neighbors, and the young people who will be the farmers and food producers of the future. 

Looking forward, Grimmway plans to expand its infrastructure, advance new research and technologies, and continue to invest in the people who make supplying the world with healthy food possible. 

From its founding by Rod and Bob Grimm in 1969 to Grimmway’s new ownership in 2020, doing the right thing by the three “Ps”—people, products, and planet—has always been at the heart of the business and the driver of the company’s enduring success.