Shares of Once Upon a Farm, the Berkeley‑based producer of minimally processed baby foods founded by actress Jennifer Garner, jumped more than 17% in their first day of trading on the New York Stock Exchange, closing just above $21 per share.
IPO Highlights
The company priced its initial public offering at $18 per share, but demand from investors pushed the opening price to $21, a 16.7% premium to the offer. The strong debut gave Once Upon a Farm a market valuation of approximately $844.9 million.
Market Context
The listing arrives amid growing scrutiny of ultra‑processed foods by both consumers and policymakers. As parents increasingly seek cleaner, less processed options for infants, the market has shown a willingness to back companies that position themselves as alternatives to conventional baby‑food brands.
Investor Backing
In addition to Garner’s personal stake, the offering included shares sold by several early investors and venture‑capital backers who have been instrumental in scaling the brand’s distribution across the United States.
Outlook
Analysts note that the robust opening suggests confidence in the company’s growth trajectory and its ability to capitalize on the broader shift toward healthier, minimally processed foods. The stock’s performance will be closely watched as a barometer for investor appetite in the niche “clean‑food” segment.
