Jennifer Garner bought back her family’s 55-acre Oklahoma farm in 2017; the land, held by her family since 1936, now inspires her organic children’s food business

Jennifer Garner’s work with organic children’s food has a connection to a place that has been part of her family’s life for generations.In Locust Grove, Oklahoma, a family farm that has been in Garner’s family since 1936 has helped shape her understanding of where food comes from and how children might develop a closer relationship with farming. Garner, who joined Once Upon a Farm as a co-founder in 2017, has spoken about the importance of making nutritious food more accessible to families. The business began with a practical problem: its original founders struggled to find the kind of organic baby food they wanted in local shops. Years later, the company has expanded across the United States, while Garner’s family farm remains a source of inspiration for its products.Garner’s family farm has been in Oklahoma since 1936The Oklahoma property has been in Garner’s family located in Locust Grove; it has remained more than a backdrop to the actress’s childhood memories. Her uncle Robert still lives there and manages the farm, preserving a connection between the land and the family’s everyday life.Garner has described, "Once I started working for Once Upon a Farm, I loved the idea of connecting kids to the farm early on. And so here we are, connecting kids to the farm and it gets to be my family’s farm that’s been with us since 1936. One thing that I love about the farm is that my Uncle Robert still lives here. He is the holder of the stories and runs the farm to this day."Once Upon a Farm has developed into a national brand, the family’s agricultural roots offer a more personal reference point for its emphasis on organic ingredients and childhood nutrition.How Garner joined the company behind organic children’s foodOnce Upon a Farm was founded in 2015 by Cassandra Curtis and Ari Raz. Curtis wanted better options for her daughter after finding that the baby food available in nearby supermarkets did not meet her expectations. She began developing recipes herself, eventually bringing cold-pressure-protected baby food to retail shelves.Garner became involved in 2017, alongside John Foraker, the former chief executive of organic food company Annie’s. Foraker brought experience in building and scaling a consumer food business, while Garner offered the perspective of a parent who had encountered similar questions about what to feed young children.The company’s range has since grown beyond its original baby food products. It now includes organic snacks, smoothies and meals for children at different stages, with products distributed through major retailers across the country. Once Upon a Farm has described its aim as making nutritious food easier for families to find and serve.The family farm behind Garner’s farm-to-food philosophyFor Garner, the connection between agriculture and childhood nutrition has been a recurring theme in her work with the company. Her family’s Oklahoma farm provides a tangible example of where food begins, rather than presenting it solely as a finished product on a supermarket shelf.In material published by Once Upon a Farm, Garner spoke about wanting children to develop an early connection with farming. The fact that her own family’s property has remained in use for decades gives that idea a personal dimension. Her uncle’s continued involvement also means that farming knowledge has not been separated from the place where it was acquired.Once Upon a Farm has built its range around organic produce and refrigerated products, distinguishing its approach from the shelf-stable baby food that has long occupied a large part of the market.Once Upon a Farm expands its reach while focusing on nutrition accessOnce Upon a Farm’s expansion has taken it well beyond its original retail footprint. By August 2026, Forbes reported that the company was selling more than 40 products in over 25,000 stores. Its portfolio had grown to include drinkable smoothies and oat bars, alongside food for babies and young children.As reported by Forbes, the company also entered the public markets in February 2026, with an initial public offering valued at approximately $724 million. Garner marked the occasion at the New York Stock Exchange, but told Forbes that she preferred to concentrate on the company’s operations rather than follow daily movements in its share price.She holds a reported 7% stake in the business and serves as chief brand officer. Her responsibilities have included working with retailers and helping communicate the company’s purpose to families. Forbes estimated her stake to be worth about $55 million in its August 2026 report, although the value of publicly traded shares can change.Access to nutritious food has also become part of the company’s work. Garner told Forbes that obtaining certification for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, commonly known as WIC, was a major priority. The programme helps eligible low-income families buy approved foods, and Once Upon a Farm had secured certification in more than 20 states by the time of the report.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.