History and Timeline

The Bolthouse family began commercial vegetable farming in western Michigan in 1915…

Farming was back-breaking work in those days. Land had to be cleared as soil was prepared for the first crop. From the very beginning the company was known for quality and innovation. Vegetable varieties were continually improved, and the company advanced from field packing celery to storing onions for off-season supply. Before long, local canneries relied on William Bolthouse for carrots, celery, spinach, and onions. These local canneries soon were companies like Gerber Products, The Campbell Soup Company, and H.J. Heinz. By 1950 Bolthouse Farms® was a leading supplier of carrots to Midwest processors.