“Since its launch in the summer, interest exceeded all expectations, initially outpacing supply,” Hiltner said. “Our summer marketing efforts struck a chord with customers immediately and with additional plantings now online, we’re better positioned to meet demand.”
Babé Farms’ customer base largely consists of foodservice distributors with a sprinkling of select, high-end retailers as well.
“The best way to forge strong partnerships with customers is open communication,” Hiltner said. “In an age where orders are mostly placed via email, our sales team makes it a point to get on the phone with customers frequently to help nurture those personal relationships and prevent any miscommunication. In the produce industry there is a lot of give-and-take that happens behind the scenes — we help out our customers when they need it, and we expect the same from them in return.”
The company’s growth strategy for 2025 is centered around building and maintaining relationships with customers and end-users.
“Getting our boots on the ground in key regions of distribution has long been a priority for us, but Babé Farms doubled down with the hire of Sarah Grizzle,” Hiltner said. “A recent graduate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, Sarah has brought youthful energy to the Babé Farms sales team as the new outside sales representative. A liaison between the sales team and customers, Sarah has already made a huge impact by creating meaningful customer engagement.”
In addition, the company’s sales and marketing team is planning to increase Babé Farms’ trade show presence in 2025, further bridging the gap between the company and its customers and end-users.
At Babé Farms, being family-owned and operated isn’t just a title — it’s a mindset that unites the entire team.
“The Lundbergs treat each employee as part of the family, fostering a culture where everyone from our field staff to accounting, HR, food safety, sales and marketing, feels valued and invested in our success,” Hiltner said. “Our team thrives because we share a common purpose and commitment to quality, innovation, and strong customer relationships. There are quite a few employees whose tenure with the company spans 20 to 30-plus years. This collective dedication has been key to our growth.”
