From a Tin-Roofed Shed to Leading Innovations in Farming and Sustainability

Ocean Mist Farms, based in Castroville, California, is recognized as the largest grower of fresh artichokes in North America and maintains year-round production through several growing regions.

Castroville, known colloquially as “The Artichoke Capital of the World,” provides an ideal climate of sun, fog, and nutrient-rich soil for cultivating artichokes, which Ocean Mist Farms has made its flagship product since the company’s founding in 1924.

Over the years, the company has expanded into other California areas such as Oxnard and Coachella, as well as into Baja, Mexico, and Yuma, Arizona, in order to sustain its wide product line and keep up with consumer demand.

The variety of these regions allows the firm to select the most favorable microclimates for continuous production, not just for artichokes but also for other vegetables, including Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and different value-added product lines.

In addition to conventional fresh vegetables, Ocean Mist Farms offers convenience-oriented items designed for those who prefer pre-washed and pre-prepared options.

These value-added lines cater to consumers seeking quicker meal solutions without giving up the taste and nutritional qualities of fresh produce.

One product line that has gained attention is the award-winning Season & Steam convenience range, which includes vegetables that can be cooked in their packaging, providing a time-saving method of preparation.

More recently, a new Roastables line of halved Brussels sprouts in chef-inspired flavors has also been introduced, aiming to simplify meal prep for busy families.

The story of how Ocean Mist Farms came about can be traced back to a small group of Italian immigrants Daniel Pieri, along with cousins Amerigo and Angelo Del Chiaros, and eventually joined by Jim Bellone who arrived in the United States and settled in Castroville.

They founded the California Artichoke & Vegetable Growers Corporation in 1924, later joined by a local grower, Alfred Tottino.

For more than 70 years, the company operated under that original name until 1995, when it officially adopted the name Ocean Mist Farms.

In those early days, the business was conducted from a simple tin-roofed shed with minimal amenities.

Despite these modest beginnings, the partners managed to harvest artichokes, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli from fields that benefited from Castroville’s unusually temperate, “Mediterranean-like” climate.

Ocean Mist Farms attributes much of its long-term success to its people.

The sense of pride in the fields and on the production lines comes from a century of cultivating vegetables under demanding conditions that require consistent skill, expertise, and a willingness to innovate.

A central principle of the company is vertical integration, meaning it oversees every stage of production.

This strategy extends from seed research and development all the way through planting, harvesting, cooling, processing, and ultimately distributing fresh produce to retail partners across North America.

By keeping these steps under one umbrella, the company says it can maintain what it describes as “Gold Standard” farming and food safety practices.

Equally important to Ocean Mist Farms’ operational philosophy is a commitment to sustainability.

The company invests in improvements to reduce its carbon footprint by saving energy, cutting waste, and minimizing pollution.

Equipment upgrades frequently include high-efficiency motors for irrigation and refrigeration that use significantly less energy than traditional motors.

Facilities benefit from LED lighting, which helps trim CO2 emissions, and the company uses GPS-enabled equipment to limit field overlap, thus saving on fuel.

Ocean Mist Farms estimates that its ongoing measures to replace outdated machinery and optimize its operations is comparable to removing more than 1,000 passenger cars from the road on an annual basis.

Food safety is another cornerstone for Ocean Mist Farms, evident in the implementation of a blockchain technology solution on the IBM Food Trust Network platform.

By using this encrypted digital ledger, each step of the supply chain can be tracked, from harvest to retail.

The company believes this transparency reaffirms the integrity of its products, helps ensure quality standards, and, in the event of any issues, makes it easier to pinpoint where and when they occurred.

In an industry sensitive to recalls or safety concerns, this initiative underscores the firm’s stance on maintaining consumer trust and aligns with current expectations for traceability.

Beyond its produce operations, Ocean Mist Farms also invests in community programs.

One notable initiative is the Ocean Mist Farms Academic Scholarship Program, which awards $1,000 scholarships to students who exhibit the company’s guiding values of quality, respect, innovation, shared success, integrity, and accountability.

Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA or higher and submit letters of reference and proof of higher education acceptance.

Those who meet these criteria are evaluated by a Scholarship Committee.

The purpose is to recognize deserving students who embody these principles both academically and in their everyday lives.

On the marketing front, Ocean Mist Farms has in recent years partnered with social media influencers across various platforms, including TikTok and Instagram.

This approach is aimed at sharing recipes, cooking tips, and brand stories with a wide audience that includes everyone from nutrition-focused consumers to casual home cooks.

Past partners such as The Real Food Dietitians have helped the company highlight the nutritional aspect of artichokes and other vegetables, while other influencers focus on quick and engaging reels or short videos that appeal to viewers looking for new ideas or simple preparations.

While Ocean Mist Farms emphasizes social media engagement, it also focuses on in-field education and events.

Culinary students, retailers, and influencers are occasionally invited to see firsthand how artichokes and other crops are grown and harvested.

These visits often involve participants getting an opportunity to harvest their own artichokes, a task that can be more challenging than it appears.

The objective is to help visitors understand the effort involved in ensuring only the best vegetables make it to the shelves.

Experiences like these reinforce the unique traits of the company’s produce, such as the “Frost-Kissed” artichokes which develop a desirable nutty flavor after being exposed to low temperatures.

As the company approaches and celebrates its hundred-year mark, it has introduced new packaging to commemorate the rich heritage established by its founders.

Ocean Mist Farms highlights this packaging as a tribute to a legacy that continues to shape how it does business.

Looking to the future, the firm is also developing additional fresh-cut innovations, following the example of its existing lines.

Each product extension is subjected to culinary trials and consumer testing to ensure that any new convenience items align with the company’s goal of delivering fresh, high-quality foods that fit into busy lifestyles.

For nearly a century, Ocean Mist Farms has seen enormous growth from a small tin-roofed shed to its current status as a major vegetable producer and shipper throughout North America.