Jennifer Garner’s Once Upon a Farm valued at $845M – Business News
Once Upon a Farm, the youngsters’s natural food company co-founded by actress Jennifer Garner, was valued at practically $845 million in its New York Stock Exchange debut on Friday, as client IPOs show indicators of revival after a sluggish 2025.
The Berkeley, Calif.-based company’s stock opened at $21 apiece, in contrast with the $18 offer price. The firm and a few of its backers bought roughly 11 million shares within the marketed vary of $17 to $19 to raise about $198 million.
The IPO market is set for a breakout yr, building on its gradual restoration in 2025 as pent-up demand for new listings and a sturdy pipeline of high-profile firms form expectations for 2026.
Jennifer Garner rings the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Friday. REUTERS
“The IPO gives us access to some capital, which puts us in a position to make some really great investments in our supply chain and do other things to drive efficiency and to continue to invest in our brand,” Once Upon a Farm CEO John Foraker mentioned in an interview.
“It’s also a marker of credibility and puts us in a position to continue to lead our categories.”
Once Upon a Farm was began in 2015 by Cassandra Curtis and Ari Raz. Two years later, Garner and John Foraker, former CEO of food model Annie’s, joined as co-founders.
Her natural meals company, Once Upon a Farm, fetched an $844.9 million valuation as its shares opened 17% above the offer price. AP
The company sells packaged food for youngsters of all ages, together with cold-pressed pouches, pantry snacks, frozen meals and oat bars. Its merchandise can be found at retailers resembling Target, Kroger, and Walmart.
“We think the market opportunity for better-for-you baby and kids’ food is very significant,” Foraker mentioned.
Millennial and Gen Z customers are more and more shifting in direction of natural and healthy merchandise, benefiting manufacturers that target dietary choices, resembling Once Upon a Farm.
Garner’s company sells packaged food for youngsters, together with cold-pressed pouches, pantry snacks, frozen meals and oat bars. AP
Consumer IPO rebound
Consumer-focused firms have gotten more optimistic in regards to the IPO window this yr, after President Trump’s sweeping tariffs dampened exercise final yr.
“Once Upon a Farm shows that high-quality, mission-driven consumer brands with strong fundamentals can successfully access the public markets,” Brett Thomas, co-founder at CAVU Consumer Partners, instructed Reuters.
“Looking ahead, we believe this transaction can catalyze renewed investor interest in the consumer category, and it has the potential to help reopen the window for high-quality consumer IPOs going forward.”
Garner with Once Upon a Farm CEO and co-Founder John Foraker and co-founders Cassandra Curtis. AP
Two client firms, together with furnishings retailer Bob’s Discount Furniture, went public in New York this week, with more anticipated to comply with.
KKR-backed OPI nail polish proprietor Wella Company and Blackstone-backed Jersey Mike’s Subs are among the many potential IPO candidates from the patron industry, Reuters beforehand reported.
Garner and son Sam Affleck stroll on the ground of the New York Stock Exchange. AP
Beverage company Suja Life final yr mentioned it had confidentially filed for an IPO.
