Once Upon a Farm, a pioneering children's food company championed by actress Jennifer Garner, has made a remarkable entry into the public market. Its shares, trading under the ticker OFRM, saw an impressive 16.9% increase on their debut day. This successful listing underscores a burgeoning confidence in the IPO landscape and signals strong investor interest in the organic and health-conscious food sector.
Jennifer Garner's Once Upon a Farm Achieves Stellar Wall Street Debut
On a bustling Friday, February 7, 2026, the New York Stock Exchange welcomed Once Upon a Farm, a leading brand in premium children's nutrition, to its trading floor. The company, co-founded in 2015 by Cassandra Curtis and later joined by Jennifer Garner and seasoned industry executive John Foraker in 2017, celebrated a triumphant initial public offering. Its stock, OFRM, experienced a robust 16.9% surge during its first day of trading, marking a significant milestone for the firm and signaling a positive shift in IPO activity on Wall Street.
Once Upon a Farm has carved out a niche in the market by offering a diverse range of organic and refrigerated food products tailored for young children, primarily those aged two to five. Their innovative lineup includes convenient pouches, nutritious oat and protein bars, as well as puffs and melts, all designed to meet the evolving dietary needs of growing kids. The company has demonstrated remarkable growth, with sales reaching an impressive $201.6 million in the first half of 2025, a substantial 64.6% increase from 2018. This growth is attributed to its continuous expansion of product offerings and retail presence across major outlets such as Target, Whole Foods, Kroger, Walmart, and wholesale giants like Costco.
Jennifer Garner, a passionate advocate for children's health, expressed her commitment to the brand, stating that her motivation stemmed from the difficulty she faced as a mother in finding fresh, organic, and healthy food options for her own children. The company's ongoing product development, particularly its focus on increasing protein content, reflects a keen understanding of consumer demand. John Foraker, who previously guided another organic food company, Annie's, through its IPO in 2012, emphasized the maturity and significant growth potential of Once Upon a Farm. He affirmed the company's dedication to its established growth trajectory, viewing the public market as an opportunity to amplify its mission on a larger scale. While the company sources approximately 40% of its ingredients internationally, primarily from suppliers in various countries, and 98% of its packaging domestically, Foraker noted that any impact from tariffs has been manageable, with flexibility to adjust sourcing as needed.
The successful IPO of Once Upon a Farm, alongside other notable public offerings such as Bob's Discount Furniture, indicates a revitalized and stable environment for new listings. As reported by Renaissance Capital, the IPO market started the year on solid footing, with nine listings collectively raising $2.6 billion in January, suggesting a promising outlook for businesses seeking public investment.
The successful IPO of Once Upon a Farm, particularly in the competitive children's food market, highlights several key takeaways. Firstly, it underscores the increasing consumer demand for healthy, organic, and convenient food options for children. Parents are actively seeking products that align with their values of natural ingredients and nutritional quality. Secondly, the involvement of a public figure like Jennifer Garner not only brings significant brand visibility but also lends credibility and trust to the product, especially in a sector where parental confidence is paramount. Her personal connection as a mother resonates deeply with the target audience. Lastly, the company's commitment to continuous innovation, such as the focus on protein, demonstrates an adaptive business strategy that responds to evolving dietary trends and consumer preferences. This successful market entry serves as an inspiring example of how a mission-driven company, backed by thoughtful leadership and a strong brand ethos, can thrive in the public domain.