Ocean Mist Marks 90th Anniversary

Ocean Mist Farms will celebrate a 90-year legacy of growing artichokes and premium fresh vegetables with activities planned throughout 2014.

The fourth-generation grower-owned business was founded in 1924 by Italian immigrants who started by growing artichokes and Brussels sprouts along the Pacific Ocean’s Monterey Bay in Castroville, Calif. Today, the company farms in multiple locations throughout California, Arizona and Baja Mexico, and its famous artichokes have been proclaimed the official state vegetable of California.

“Our land may be the foundation of Ocean Mist Farms, but it really is the people who build our legacy,” said Mark Reasons, facilities manager and member of the board of directors.

Some of the activities Ocean Mist Farms has planned this year to celebrate its anniversary include the redesign of the company website and the creation of a new Artichoke Club website; branding its original root stock variety as an Ocean Mist Farms Heirloom Artichoke; and sharing a new video that tells the company’s 90-year legacy story.

"We are proud to reach this milestone together," noted COO Joe Pezzini. "Investing in quality people and farm land is the foundation of success and longevity for generations of Ocean Mist growers.”

The highlight of the anniversary festivities will be at the annual Castroville Artichoke Festival – this year held at the Monterey County Fairgrounds May 31-June 1 – where Ocean Mist Farms will be honored for being a part of the community since 1924.

Shown at left is the original Ocean Mist Farms crate label.