Christopher Ranch — a name known for high-quality garlic and other specialty products — is a family owned and operated grower, packer, marketer and shipper that was founded over 50 years ago in Gilroy, CA. In 1997, the company introduced its organic line.

Patsy Ross, vice president of marketing for the company, said it now specializes in organic garlic.

“We offer organic garlic in fresh bulk, fresh packaged, fresh peeled cloves, as well as other specialty items like organic shallots, pearl, cipolline and boiler onions and elephant garlic,” she said. “And we offer a full line of value-added organic jarred items including chopped garlic, roasted garlic, ginger and shallots.”

Fresh bulk organic garlic from Christopher Ranch.Christopher Ranch produces its organic line at its California farms. It services retailers, specialty retailers, such as gourmet stores, foodservice operators and industrial accounts. The company distributes across the United States and into Canada from its numerous distribution centers. In addition to its Gilroy facility, it has distribution centers in Edison, NJ, Pompano Beach, FL, Los Angeles and Chicago.

The company’s proprietary heirloom variety of garlic, which is now at market under the “Monviso” brand name, has enjoyed tremendous success since it was launched last year. The company has cultivated the variety since the 1950s, working hard to preserve its exceptional flavor and never selling the seed to other growers. Today, “Monviso” is the only commercially grown heirloom garlic in the United States.

Another milestone for the company was when it launched its new version of a squeeze-garlic, called “Easy Squeeze Garlic” made with 100 percent California garlic for the retail sector. The item was introduced earlier this year.

Christopher Ranch has a strong history of farming, beginning when the great-grandfather of current owner, Bill Christopher, emigrated from Denmark and settled in Santa Clara Valley in the late 1890s. The company evolved over the years from a prune orchard to a garlic and specialty produce company.

Ross said that for Christopher Ranch, organic sales continue to grow.

“We are averaging increases in production of 10 percent per year, and we still cannot keep up with the demand,” she said. “Our garlic is a favorite with chefs because of its strong flavor as compared to garlic imported from most other countries, and it adds a perfect organic ‘zing’ to dishes.”

Ross added that the new harvest of organic garlic at Christopher Ranch will begin in mid-June.