Family

What year did Christopher Ranch first grow garlic?

Christopher Ranch was founded on 10 acres of garlic in the year 1956 by company patriarch Don Christopher

Is Christopher Ranch really family-owned and operated?

Yes! 3 generations of the Christopher family all play active roles in the running of the Ranch. To learn more about the Christopher’s and their respective roles in the nations largest garlic company, click here to explore.

What’s the Christopher family’s connection to the world famous Gilroy Garlic Festival?

Don Christopher co-founded the Gilroy Garlic Festival in 1979, and ever since then the Christopher family has supplied all of the garlic for the millions of attendees who have come ever since.

Can you tell me more about the Christopher family’s relationship with Gilroy, the garlic capital of the world?

The Christopher family’s love of community is anchored in corporate social responsibility.

What is Don most passionate about?

Supporting education and youth in our community

Farm

Where is Christopher Ranch based?

Christopher Ranch can be found in the southernmost part of Santa Clara County. Since 1956 we’ve been proud to call Gilroy our home.

How do you get fresh garlic throughout the country year round?

Christopher Ranch has satellite distribution centers strategically located throughout the country. While all Christopher Ranch products originate in Gilroy, these warehouses give us the ability to get the freshest garlic products to you and your family. Our distribution centers are located in greater Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Miami.

What’s going on at the Ranch every day?

Any given day, we will be producing hundreds of thousands of pounds of fresh garlic, cracked garlic, peeled garlic, and roasted garlic. To learn more about our processing capabilities, click here.

How many people does Christopher Ranch employ?

Christopher Ranch is the largest employer in Gilroy, CA, and has a full-time workforce of 1,000. Our key employees have many diverse roles, and include quality control specialists, fork-lift drivers, field operatives, technicians, food safety specialists, and administrative staff.

What makes Christopher Ranch different from other garlic companies?

The Ranch has set the gold standard when it comes to its commitment to education in our community. Whether it’s investments in classroom technology, scholarships, to providing land and funding to launch critical infrastructure, Christopher Ranch has made corporate social responsibility the cornerstone of its mission. When it comes to our people, Christopher Ranch has likewise led the way by offering one of the nations highest corporate minimum wages. When consumers pick Christopher Ranch garlic, they’re choosing to invest in a company that believes in its people, process, and community. To learn more about our efforts to better our community, please click here.

Garlic

How much minced or chopped garlic equals 1 clove?

1-2 teaspoons (1 tsp of chopped garlic, 2 tsp of minced garlic in water)

How long does it take to grow garlic?

9 months, just like a baby!

What is garlic seed?

A single clove of garlic is used as the seed

Where does garlic grow best?

California! Garlic needs a Mediterranean climate for ideal growth, including cold winter nights followed by hot spring and summer days.

Where can I find your garlic?

We distribute to grocery stores, restaurants, and wholesalers nationwide. Feel free to send us a note with your zip code, and we’ll try our best to identify the retailer nearest you that carries our garlic!