Christopher Ranch

Location:

Gilroy, CA

Certification(s):

QAI Organic

Family owned and operated since 1956, Christopher Ranch is a well-established producer of organic garlic in California. Bill Christopher represents the fourth generation of the Christopher family to run the ranch, where he grows not only garlic but also shallots, and onions.

Christopher Ranch’s commitment to environmental health extends beyond organics. The ranch now packages its produce in 100% recyclable bags and boxes, which constitute 80% less packaging than traditional jars and save over half a million pounds (over 230 thousand kilograms) of plastic. The weight decrease of the packaging also eliminates 200 thousand pounds (90 thousand kilograms) of carbon emissions.

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PDF:

Christopher Ranch.pdf

Crops:

Garlic

Our Growers Are Our Heroes

We got into this business because we wanted to help small scale organic farmers here at home gain access to the larger commercial marketplace, and to ensure their families and communities thrive. Over the past decade or so, we have endeavored to do this, step by step, with over ninety B.C. farms.

Our hearts still belong to the small scale growers. We have visited dozens of farms in B.C., working with growers to see them move to larger and more financially sustainable operations.

We feel encouraged by the impressive increase in consumer demand for organics and local. We also acknowledge that we might not be able to grow all our own food year round. Even more so now, as our climate changes, no harvest is a safe bet.

So over the years, we have extended our relationships with small scale farmers to include farms down the Pacific Coast, through Washington, Oregon and California, then on to Mexico and South America. Together, this network of growers keep us all fed year round. And for this we are grateful.