5 Facts You Didn’t Know about Innovation at Grimmway Farms
By Stephanie Metzinger B akersfield-based Grimmway Farms is the classic story of “How it Started…How it’s Going.” Grimmway originally launched in the 1960s as a small produce stand opened by the Grimm brothers, selling corn to the local community. Today, it produces more than 65 seasonal and year-round products distributed globally and ranks as the world’s largest producer of carrots. Much of Grimmway’s success is attributed to business-savvy decisions and its commitment to caring for customers and employees. However,
innovation took place early on in the formation of the baby carrot, so that is a textbook example of food product innovation where the consumer needs are being met and it changes the texture of the marketplace.” To further grow the business and capture market opportunity, the carrot giant formed a group in 2009 solely dedicated to drive innovative processes for farming. The newly formed Ag R&D Department, led by Morrison, formally pursued innovation initiatives as well as developed and deployed technology and mechanical process improvements across the farm. Through the years, Grimmway has built a robust innovation culture
the farm’s decision to put innovation at the forefront has propelled Grimmway to even more success. “The most interesting thing about Grimmway is that the company’s growth was launched by innovation,” said Jeff Morrison, director of innovation and new technology at Grimmway Farms. “If you look at the trajectory of the company,
throughout the organization, ultimately strengthening its position in an increasingly competitive marketplace characterized by multiple regulatory headwinds. Learn how Grimmway Farms is successfully expanding the role of technology in food production through the 5 fascinating innovation facts below.
#1 Seed Variety Drives Changes in Planting Practices You may know that consumer preference transformed the baby carrot – from a fatter, larger diameter carrot 15 to 30 years ago to today being a thin, pencil-sized baby carrot. But what you may not know is that the drastic changes in seed varieties have driven field productivity and the efficiency of carrot production, ultimately shaping planting practices throughout the entire Grimmway Farms operation. This includes implementing new planting systems that enable better control over the seed distribution and using better equipment to allow for more precise planting.
MARCH | APRIL 2021
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Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com
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