Once Upon a Farm officially stepped onto Wall Street this week, and investors responded with enthusiasm. The organic children’s nutrition company began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker OFRM, opening well above its initial public offering price and closing the day with a strong gain.
The company priced its IPO at $18 per share, right in the middle of its expected range, before shares jumped at the opening bell. By the end of its first trading session, the stock had climbed roughly 17 percent, giving Once Upon a Farm a market valuation of about $724 million.
Founded in 2015 in Berkeley, California, Once Upon a Farm built its reputation on organic, cold-processed, refrigerated baby food and snacks designed for young children. The brand took on a higher profile in 2017 when Jennifer Garner joined as a co-founder alongside food industry veteran John Foraker, who serves as chief executive. Garner also sits on the company’s board and has become one of its most recognizable public advocates.
The company’s debut comes at a moment when parents, retailers, and policymakers are increasingly scrutinizing what children eat. Pushback against ultra-processed foods has intensified, creating momentum for brands positioned around transparency and nutrition. That shift has helped fuel rapid growth for Once Upon a Farm, which reported nearly $157 million in net sales last year, a sharp increase from the year before.
Growth has come with costs. The company’s losses widened as it invested heavily in operations, distribution, and brand expansion. Still, leadership views the public market as a long-term strategy aligned with its values. As a certified public benefit corporation, Once Upon a Farm says remaining independent allows it to protect its mission to improve childhood nutrition at scale.
Proceeds from the offering are expected to go toward reducing debt, purchasing new equipment, and supporting ongoing corporate needs. The debut also lands during what many see as a reopening of the IPO market, as easing interest rates and renewed investor confidence draw more consumer brands back to public listings.
For Once Upon a Farm, the moment represents more than a financial milestone. It marks a bet that a mission-driven, female-forward brand focused on kids’ health can thrive in the public spotlight without compromising its core purpose.