Smith's Farm

What Smith's Farm does

Smith's Farm is a sixth-generation, family-owned grower-shipper headquartered in Presque Isle, Maine, farming since 1859 when Oliver Carpenter Smith and Isabelle Smith cleared land in Mars Hill. The company produces and distributes broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, and grains (including malt barley, Quaker oat varieties, winter rye, and winter wheat) under the Stag Brand label, which has been used for over 50 years. Its core technical assets are agronomic rather than digital: sustainable farming practices (crop rotation, cover crops, integrated pest management), an NRCS-designed sediment pond system with buffer zones, Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI) field-level traceability, GFSI food safety certification, and a perfect food safety audit score achieved in 2023. Operations span Maine, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, New York, and strategic partnerships in California and Arizona, enabling year-round supply; the Zach Smith-led Maine operation alone covers 1,800 acres supported by 15 year-round and 75 seasonal workers.

The business monetizes primarily through B2B delivered pricing programs (FTL and LTL freight) served by a dedicated sales team to retail grocery stores and distribution centers across the East Coast, with distribution reaching the Mississippi River. Secondary revenue comes from direct farm sales at cooling and storage facilities, farmer's markets, Food Co-Ops, Commission Supported Agriculture boxes, and the 2024-launched Campaign for Produce initiative. Named retail customers include Hannaford and Trader Joe's, plus food pantries supplied through community outreach. Leadership comprises the fifth and sixth generations of the Smith family: Emily Smith (CEO), Zach Smith (COO), Tara Smith Vighetti (President of Sales), Peter Hallowell (CFO), and Lance Smith (Chairman, also the fifth-generation cousin who introduced broccoli in the 1980s). No external institutional investors, acquisitions, or funding rounds have been identified.

Name

Smith's Farm

Legal name

Smith's Farm Inc.

Website

https://smithsfarm.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1859

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Smith's Farm is a sixth-generation, family-owned grower-shipper producing broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, and grains under the Stag Brand label, serving East Coast retail grocers and distribution centers via a multi-region growing network spanning Maine to Florida with year-round delivery.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fresh Produce

NAICS

Vegetable and Melon Farming (1112), Oilseed and Grain Farming (1111), Farm Product Warehousing and Storage (493130)

SIC

Agricultural Production-Crops (100)

akta.pro primary industry

Fresh Produce Packhouses (Fruits & Vegetables) (AFAOAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mixed Cereal & Grain Farming (Multiple Grains) (AFAGAAAH), Farmers’ Markets & Farm Stands (Fresh Food) (CRAHAHAE)

Keywords

• Fresh produce farming
• Broccoli cultivation
• Cauliflower production
• Potato farming
• Grain agriculture

Headquarters

HQ city

Presque Isle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Fresh Produce Sales: Primary revenue from growing and selling broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, and grains to retail grocery stores, markets, and distribution centers. Products sold under Stag Brand label.
2. Delivered Programs: FTL (Full Truckload) and LTL (Less Than Truckload) delivery programs from farm dock to customer dock, providing integrity of quality and service.
3. Direct Farm Sales: Direct sales of broccoli and cauliflower at cooling and storage facilities, allowing consumers to purchase fresh produce directly from the farm.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Smith's Farm is a 6th generation family-owned grower-shipper that produces and distributes fresh broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, and grains under the Stag Brand premium label. The company operates multi-region growing operations spanning Maine, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, New York, and strategic partnerships in California/Arizona to deliver year-round supply. They offer delivered pricing programs (FTL and LTL freight) to retail grocery chains, distribution centers, and direct consumers.

Product overview

Smith’s Farm is a 6th generation family-owned farming operation offering a portfolio of fresh produce products centered around their Stag Brand sub-brand. The core product portfolio includes Broccoli (available as bunches, crowns in multiple cuts, and florets), Cauliflower (year-round availability), Potatoes (Round whites, Russets, Yukon Golds, and Reds), and Grains (Barley, Oats, Winter Rye, Winter Wheat, and rotation crops). The company operates delivered pricing programs via FTL and LTL freight, serving retail grocers and distribution centers along the East Coast. Their Stag Brand label serves as the unified premium brand across all produce categories.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Stag Brand: Premium label for Smith's Farm produce, including broccoli, cauliflower, and potatoes. Used for over 50 years, initially for potatoes and increasingly for broccoli over the last 25 years.

Products and services

• Broccoli Year-round broccoli supply available as iced, iceless, or shrink-wrapped in 14 or 18 Count Bunches, Domestic Crowns, Short Cut Crowns, Asian Crowns, and Florets. Smith's Farm is one of the largest broccoli suppliers on the East Coast under the Stag Brand label.
• Cauliflower Fresh cauliflower available year-round. Smith's Farm is one of the largest producers of East Coast cauliflower, growing premium quality produce that is sustainable, healthy, and delicious.
• Potatoes Fresh potatoes available in Round whites, Russets, Yukon Golds, and Reds in all consumer packaging. Grown in both Florida and Maine with shipping availability virtually year-round. Consumer-packed in various packaging sizes for distribution centers and retail channels.
• Grains Grain crops including malt variety Barley, Quaker oat varieties, Winter Rye, and Winter Wheat. Also includes rotation crops such as Lentil Rye, Annual Rye, Sorghum Sudangrass, and Alfalfa. Quaker oat varieties are grown to meet moisture content and color specifications for the world's largest cereal mill.

Quantifiable outcome

• Overnight delivery from Maine to Boston, vs 5+ days from California
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IFPA (International Fresh Produce Association)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 October 2024Smith's Farm participates in the Global Produce & Floral Show and sponsors the Professional Photography Lounge. Launched Campaign for Produce at IFPA 2024 show in Atlanta, Georgia.
• Chef Ned Pollack (Ned's Kitchen)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 October 2024Partnership with Chef Ned Pollack of Ned's Kitchen to create engaging recipe videos and step-by-step guides showcasing how to prepare and enjoy fresh produce, supporting the Campaign for Produce initiative.
• NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNRCS assisted with the design of sediment ponds for the farm's water conservation system. These ponds catch and treat runoff soil, which is then returned to fields annually, supporting sustainable farming practices.
• Baker Family Farms / H&W FarmscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBaker Family Farms grows approximately 2,000 acres of greens (kale, turnips, mustard greens) and H&W Farms grows approximately 3,000 acres of mixed greens including broccoli, cauliflower, cilantro, spinach, beets, cabbage, and turnip roots as sister companies and growing partners.
• Quaker (Quaker Oats Company)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSmith's Farm grows Quaker varieties of oats - oats that Quaker, the world's largest cereal mill, will use for their cereals. Moisture content and color specifications must match Quaker requirements for acceptance.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Dole Food Company: Dole is a global produce leader with broad fresh vegetable and fruit operations including broccoli and cauliflower. Comparable to Smith's Farm as a diversified produce grower-shipper serving retail grocery, but with global scale and broader product portfolio.
• Fresh Express: Fresh Express is the largest branded fresh-salad and vegetable company in the US, owned by Chiquita. Comparable to Smith's Farm as a major fresh-produce packer serving grocery with broccoli and vegetable products, but at significantly larger scale.

Direct peers

• Taylor Farms: Taylor Farms is one of the largest producers of fresh-cut vegetables and salads in North America, with significant broccoli and cauliflower operations. Directly comparable to Smith's Farm as a multi-region fresh-vegetable grower-shipper serving retail and foodservice channels.
• Grimmway Farms: Grimmway Farms is a major US grower and packer/shipper of fresh vegetables (carrots, organic produce, broccoli). Comparable to Smith's Farm as a large-scale integrated produce grower with branded retail programs and food-safety certifications.
• Bonduelle Americas: Bonduelle Americas (formerly Ready Pac Foods) produces fresh-cut and packaged vegetables including broccoli and cauliflower for retail and foodservice. Comparable to Smith's Farm as a broccoli/cauliflower-focused grower and packer serving grocery customers.
• Mann's Fresh Vegetables: Mann's Fresh Vegetables (a Mann Packing brand) is a major West Coast grower-shipper of broccoli, cauliflower, and other fresh-cut vegetables. Comparable to Smith's Farm as a broccoli and cauliflower producer with multi-region supply and retail relationships.
• Bolthouse Farms: Bolthouse Farms grows and packs fresh carrots and other vegetables for retail and foodservice. Comparable to Smith's Farm as a vertically integrated grower-shipper of branded fresh produce sold through grocery distribution.
• Braga Fresh: Braga Fresh / Josie's Organics grows and ships organic broccoli, lettuce, kale, and other vegetables with year-round supply. Comparable to Smith's Farm as a multi-region grower of broccoli and leafy greens serving retail grocery.

Emerging players

• Earthbound Farm: Earthbound Farm is one of the largest organic produce growers in the US, with broccoli and other vegetable offerings. Comparable to Smith's Farm as a sustainability-focused fresh-vegetable grower selling branded produce to grocery retailers.

Regional players

• Hancock Farmland Brokerage: Hancock Farmland Brokerage represents farms and agribusiness investments in the US, including vegetable operations. Listed as a regional player adjacent to Smith's Farm in the multi-state agricultural production and farm-to-retail space, particularly relevant given Smith's Maine/Northeast footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/smithsfarm_
• Facebookfacebook.com/smithsfarmbroccoli
• Instagraminstagram.com/smithsfarmfresh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smith-s-farm

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Smith's Farm