Jennifer Garner's Once Upon a Farm Goes Public with 20% Stock Rise

The organic children's nutrition brand makes a splash with its IPO, driven by a mission to revolutionize childhood nutrition.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 9:18am

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a collection of premium, polished glass baby food jars and organic fruit slices arranged elegantly on a clean, white seamless background, conceptually representing the quality and healthy mission of Once Upon a Farm's products.Once Upon a Farm's premium organic baby food and snacks shine in this elegant studio still life, reflecting the brand's commitment to healthy childhood nutrition.Berkeley Today

Once Upon a Farm, the organic children's nutrition brand co-founded by Cassandra Curtis, Ari Raz, and joined by actress Jennifer Garner and former Annie's Homegrown CEO John Foraker, made its public debut on the New York Stock Exchange. The IPO priced shares at $18, raising $197.9 million and valuing the company at $724 million. On its first day of trading, the stock opened at $21, a 16% jump, and continued to rise, reaching a 20% increase by the afternoon.

Why it matters

The successful IPO of Once Upon a Farm comes at a time when consumers, especially parents, are increasingly demanding healthier, less-processed food options for their children. This trend, combined with the 'Make America Healthy Again' movement led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., is putting pressure on big food companies while creating opportunities for insurgent brands like Once Upon a Farm.

The details

Once Upon a Farm, based in Berkeley, California, was founded in 2015 and has gained a loyal following for its range of cold-processed, refrigerated baby foods and kid snacks. The company's mission is to 'drive systemic change in childhood nutrition.' With the IPO proceeds, Once Upon a Farm plans to pay down debt, invest in new equipment, and fund its corporate growth.

  • Once Upon a Farm made its public debut on the New York Stock Exchange on Friday, April 12, 2026.
  • The company had initially planned to go public last year, but the longest-ever government shutdown disrupted those plans.

The players

Once Upon a Farm

An organic children's nutrition brand co-founded by Cassandra Curtis and Ari Raz, with actress Jennifer Garner and former Annie's Homegrown CEO John Foraker joining as co-founders in 2017.

Jennifer Garner

Actress and co-founder of Once Upon a Farm, who sits on the company's board and is affectionately known as 'Farmer Jen.'

John Foraker

Former CEO of Annie's Homegrown and co-founder of Once Upon a Farm, who serves as the company's CEO and is referred to as the 'Grand Poobah of organic.'

Robert Kennedy Jr.

Health and Human Services Secretary, who has led the 'Make America Healthy Again' movement, which has gained traction with 'MAHA moms' who align with his views on junk food and childhood vaccinations.

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What they’re saying

“We aim to 'feed babies to big kids' and make parents' lives easier.”

— Jennifer Garner, Co-founder, Once Upon a Farm

What’s next

With the IPO proceeds, Once Upon a Farm plans to pay down its debt, invest in new equipment, and fund its corporate growth as it continues to expand its mission of driving systemic change in childhood nutrition.

The takeaway

The successful IPO of Once Upon a Farm highlights the growing consumer demand for healthier, less-processed food options, especially for children. This trend, combined with the 'Make America Healthy Again' movement, is creating opportunities for insurgent brands like Once Upon a Farm to disrupt the traditional food industry and drive meaningful change in childhood nutrition.