• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup

2

The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting

3

Current price of oil as of June 23, 2026

1

After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup

2

The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting

3

Current price of oil as of June 23, 2026
NewslettersBroadsheet

How Jennifer Garner’s kids’ food brand Once Upon a Farm became a $100 million business that’s now eyeing an IPO

By
Emma Hinchliffe
Emma Hinchliffe
and
Joey Abrams
Joey Abrams
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Emma Hinchliffe
Emma Hinchliffe
and
Joey Abrams
Joey Abrams
Down Arrow Button Icon
February 8, 2024, 9:18 AM ET
Jennifer Garner, cofounder of Once Upon a Farm.
Jennifer Garner, cofounder of Once Upon a Farm. Courtesy of Once Upon a Farm
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Good morning, Broadsheet readers! Zhang Nan is stepping down as CEO of TikTok’s Chinese sister company, working dads are feeling the same heat as working moms, and Jennifer Garner’s Once Upon a Farm is a $100 million business. Have a terrific Thursday!

– Beyond baby. When you think of the most successful celebrity-backed brands, the beauty industry first may pop to mind first. But actress Jennifer Garner has helped build a brand that now earns north of $100 million in annual revenue—selling baby food.

Recommended Video

Jennifer Garner joined the brand Once Upon a Farm in 2017. Cassandra Curtis had founded the nutritious baby food brand two years earlier, but the actress came onboard alongside former Annie’s CEO John Foraker to take it to the next level.

At the time, Once Upon a Farm was earning less than $1 million in annual revenue; today its yearly haul is “well over $100 million,” Foraker says. That growth has been accelerated by more than $100 million in funding, according to PitchBook, most recently a $52 million Series D round led by CAVU Venture Partners.

The brand is best known for its fruit and vegetable blend refrigerated pouches and in recent months has expanded into new categories, including oat bars and dairy products. That expansion takes Once Upon a Farm outside baby food to the kids’ food category, which Foraker says is 10 to 15 times bigger than baby food (excluding formula).

Jennifer Garner, cofounder of Once Upon a Farm.
Courtesy of Once Upon a Farm

“It’s a lot harder than what I thought it would be,” Garner says of growing a consumer-packaged-goods business. Part of that challenge was realizing the opportunity that would lie ahead in pivoting from baby to kids’ food. “We realized, ‘Wow, we’re actually a kids’ brand, even though we talk about ourselves as baby,'” she says.

Foraker brought to Once Upon a Farm expertise from his time leading Annie’s, which he took public in 2012 and then sold to General Mills. “This business has grown faster than Annie’s ever did,” he says. About 10% of its sales are direct-to-consumer and the rest comes from retailers like Whole Foods and Kroger.

While Garner was always passionate about nutritious kids’ foods (she’s spent more than a decade as an ambassador for Save the Children), Once Upon a Farm’s recent category expansion has shown her more about the challenges of the industry.

“It was a big deal for us to leave the pouch and go to a bar—bars are huge. There’s just an enormous market. But there’s such huge competition in the kids’ bar space. It’s really insane,” she says. To move into dairy, with pouches that resemble kids’ yogurt products, the brand relied on retailer data that said that 95% of people who bought its products also had dairy in their shopping carts.

Foraker’s plan for Once Upon a Farm is to prepare for a possible IPO. Even if it doesn’t end up happening—the other outcome is selling to a CPG giant—he wants the brand to have the option. “We’re getting this business ready to be public, if that market ever comes around,” he says.

Emma Hinchliffe
emma.hinchliffe@fortune.com
@_emmahinchliffe

The Broadsheet is Fortune’s newsletter for and about the world’s most powerful women. Today’s edition was curated by Joseph Abrams. Subscribe here.

ALSO IN THE HEADLINES

- Switching lanes. Zhang Nan is stepping down as CEO of Douyin Group after 10 years at TikTok's Chinese sister company. Zhang, who goes by the English name Kelly, helped turn Douyin Group into one of the most popular apps in China, and will now transition to a new role at video editing app Jianying, which is also owned by TikTok and Douyin parent ByteDance. Reuters

- Discouraged dads. Men trying to balance child care responsibilities with the workplace grind are starting to encounter the same microaggressions working women have endured for decades. Implementing more workplace flexibility and parental support can combat toxicity, especially since studies show that more involved fathers reap positive rewards for the child and parent. Fortune

- Elf on the wealth. E.l.f. Cosmetics CFO Mandy Fields told Fortune that consistently low product prices and healthy investments in marketing are the reasons the beauty company just reported its 20th straight quarter of growth. The brand is already popular among Gen Z, and Fields says the next frontier is millennials and their parents. Fortune

- Ronna way. Republican National Convention Chair Ronna McDaniel reportedly told former President Donald Trump that she will step down from the role soon after the South Carolina primary on Feb. 24. McDaniel, who took the position in 2017 and is the longest serving RNC chair in history, is expected to be replaced by Trump-admired Michael Watley. New York Times

- Ad interception. Advertisements tailored to women are filling the much-anticipated lineup of commercials for Sunday’s Super Bowl. Some of the already-previewed Sunday commercials feature actresses like Scarlett Johansson for M&M’s, Jennifer Aniston for Uber Eats, and Jenna Ortega for Frito-Lay’s. CNN 

MOVERS AND SHAKERS: Miner Freeport-McMoRan named Kathleen Quirk as chief executive officer. Cobalt appointed Sonali Shah to its board of directors.

ON MY RADAR

The millennial women leading a new era of fashion journalism Washington Post

Sheryl Sandberg is on a mission to make sure Oct. 7 horrors aren’t forgotten Wall Street Journal

Where has Tracy Chapman been? New York Times

PARTING WORDS

"I’ve become ritualistic with making it an event to go to bed, to put an importance and a value on my sleep and my self-care."

—The Holdovers actress Da'Vine Joy Randolph on the rush of awards season after her nomination for Best Supporting Actress

This is the web version of The Broadsheet, a daily newsletter for and about the world’s most powerful women. Sign up to get it delivered free to your inbox.

About the Authors
Emma Hinchliffe
By Emma HinchliffeMost Powerful Women Editor
LinkedIn iconTwitter icon

Emma Hinchliffe is Fortune’s Most Powerful Women editor, overseeing editorial for the longstanding franchise. As a senior writer at Fortune, Emma has covered women in business and gender-lens news across business, politics, and culture. She is the lead author of the Most Powerful Women Daily newsletter (formerly the Broadsheet), Fortune’s daily missive for and about the women leading the business world.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
By Joey AbramsAssociate Production Editor

Joey Abrams is the associate production editor at Fortune.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Newsletters

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Newsletters

How Home Depot is rebuilding retailing with AI
NewslettersCIO Intelligence
How Home Depot is rebuilding retailing with AI
By John KellJune 24, 2026
4 hours ago
As America turns 250, women’s financial independence remains a work in progress
NewslettersMPW Daily
As America turns 250, women’s financial independence remains a work in progress
By Emma HinchliffeJune 24, 2026
5 hours ago
As mega-funds grab 72% of all capital raised, the gap between VC’s haves and have-nots keeps widening
NewslettersTerm Sheet
As mega-funds grab 72% of all capital raised, the gap between VC’s haves and have-nots keeps widening
By Allie GarfinkleJune 24, 2026
11 hours ago
Business is moving past the tech bro era and learning to value ‘real people, real places’
NewslettersCEO Daily
Business is moving past the tech bro era and learning to value ‘real people, real places’
By Diane BradyJune 24, 2026
11 hours ago
Tencent COO and interactive entertainment group president Ren Yuxin on July 9, 2020 in Shanghai, China. (Photo: Wu Jun/VCG/Getty Images)
NewslettersFortune Tech
Tencent winds down its Japanese game studio investments
By Andrew NuscaJune 24, 2026
11 hours ago
Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis (left) stands on a spiral staircase next to Google DeepMind researcher John Jumper.
NewslettersEye on AI
Defections from Google DeepMind prompt questions about Alphabet’s efforts to stay at the forefront of AI
By Jeremy KahnJune 23, 2026
1 day ago

Most Popular

After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup
Success
After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 23, 2026
1 day ago
The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting
Economy
The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting
By Jacqueline MunisJune 24, 2026
14 hours ago
Current price of oil as of June 23, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of June 23, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 23, 2026
1 day ago
Current price of gold as of June 23, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of gold as of June 23, 2026
By Danny BakstJune 23, 2026
1 day ago
Texas and Charlotte used to build huge McMansions—now they're copying the California design tricks they once mocked
Real Estate
Texas and Charlotte used to build huge McMansions—now they're copying the California design tricks they once mocked
By Sydney LakeJune 22, 2026
2 days ago
Markets tumble worldwide as Fed resets expectations: $400 billion wiped off SpaceX stock
Banking
Markets tumble worldwide as Fed resets expectations: $400 billion wiped off SpaceX stock
By Jim EdwardsJune 23, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.