Carrots w/ Tops
880006 // CARROT TOP ON // 24 CT BUNCH
Tierra De Esperanza Organic Farm Salinas, CA
Jessie’s Organic Farm Salinas, CA
Local sourcing is the foundation of the Growing Forward initiative created by Gold Star Foods, connecting schools with nearby farmers and producers to deliver fresh, high-quality food while strengthening regional agriculture. By prioritizing locally grown products whenever possible, the program brings fresh ingredients from regional growers into school cafeterias while supporting local economies and creating a more resilient food system.
This approach not only fosters transparency and trust between producers and schools but also creates meaningful opportunities to educate the next generation about where their food comes from and why it matters.
Each month, schools can highlight fresh, nutritious items that give students the opportunity to enjoy locally sourced foods while learning about the farmers behind them. The program integrates seamlessly into existing menus and promotional efforts, allowing your team to operate your own HOTM schedule while supporting local farmers and strengthening sustainable supply chains.
Our goal is to empower schools, support farmers, and help build healthier communities through consistent access to fresh, California-grown products.
At Gold Star Foods, Growing Forward reflects our commitment to building a more inclusive, resilient, and community-driven food system. We proudly support small, local, family-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, minority-owned, and disadvantaged businesses across the regions we serve, creating opportunities that strengthen both local economies and community connections.
More than a sourcing program, Growing Forward is rooted in the belief that diversity, equity, and meaningful partnerships create a stronger supply chain for everyone. By increasing visibility for diverse suppliers and investing in smart, relationship-focused sourcing, we help schools serve food that is not only fresh and nutritious, but also connected to the people, farms, and communities behind every meal.
53
Small Businesses
34
Minority Owned
20
Women Owned
6
Veteran Owned
56
Family Owned
Meet Our Partners
Our partners are at the heart of what we do. They are women-owned, minority-owned, and locally owned businesses. Each partner shares our commitment to strengthening communities and advancing a more equitable food system.
Click below to learn more about the organizations that make up our Growing Forward network.
Sobo Sobo is a Certified Minority-Owned small business committed to feeding kids nutritious, culturally meaningful meals. Our vegan dumplings crafted in the Bay Area with locally sourced, non-GMO ingredients, healthy avocado oil, and up to 20g of protein per serving, bring proudly nostalgic Asian American flavors to the next generation.
Ugly Co Ugly Co is a veteran-owned company committed to feeding kids while preventing millions of pounds of food waste by changing perceptions of “ugly” produce one pack at a time. By turning overlooked fruits into nutritious, accessible snacks, they help ensure more kids get healthy food while reducing waste at scale.
Real Good Fish Real Good Fish is a women-owned company committed to feeding kids with responsibly sourced seafood while supporting sustainable fishing practices. By connecting communities to traceable, ocean-friendly fish, they help provide nutritious meals for the next generation while protecting our marine ecosystems.
We Love Berries We Love Berries is a minority-owned farm committed to feeding kids safe, nutritious fruit grown without the use of pesticides. It’s their pleasure to provide students with clean, responsibly grown berries they can enjoy with confidence.
Avina Organics Farms Avina Organics Farms is a minority-owned farm rooted in community, connection, and a deep commitment to feeding kids fresh, organic produce. Founded by Martín Aviña who trained through ALBA and now grows a diverse range of crops. The farm prioritizes mentorship, collaboration, and creating opportunities for the next generation while delivering healthy food to students.
Sweet Valley Sweet Valley is a woman-owned farm dedicated to growing vibrant purple yams with a focus on quality, sustainability, and nutrition. Their farm brings naturally colorful, nutrient-rich produce to school meals while celebrating fresh flavor and wholesome ingredients grown with care.
Mariposa Ranch Mariposa Ranch is a family-owned ranch founded by the Nitschke family with a commitment to transparency, sustainability, and responsibly raised grass-fed beef. What began as Open Space Meats over 15 years ago evolved into Mariposa Ranch in 2017 to better reflect their honest approach to ranching and connection with the families they feed. Today, the Nitschke family ranches together with deep respect for the environment, animal care, and producing high-quality California grass-fed beef.
La Fortaleza La Fortaleza is a family-founded company rooted in tradition, resilience, and authentic Mexican flavors. Established in 1975 by Ramiro Ortiz, La Fortaleza grew from a beloved Los Angeles deli known for its freshly made tortillas into a thriving family business. Inspired by the strength and perseverance of the Garcia-Ortiz family, La Fortaleza continues to share high-quality, culturally meaningful foods made with pride and tradition.
Jessie’s Organic Farms Jessie’s Organic Farms is a minority-owned small business dedicated to growing fresh, healthy produce through sustainable farming practices. Founded by Jessie Najera after completing the ALBA Farms organic farming program, the farm focuses on soil health, crop diversity, and environmentally responsible agriculture while proudly providing nourishing food and caring for the land for future generations.
Bee Sweet Citrus Bee Sweet Citrus is a family-owned company that has been growing high-quality citrus for more than 35 years with a strong commitment to freshness, food safety, and sustainability. By following strict Good Agricultural Practices across all of its farms, Bee Sweet Citrus helps provide fresh, nutritious citrus to communities year-round while promoting responsible agriculture and careful handling at every stage of production.
Bianco DiNapoli Bianco DiNapoli is a family-rooted company dedicated to bringing high-quality, organically grown tomatoes from California farms to the table. Founded by Rob DiNapoli and award-winning chef Chris Bianco, the company focuses on peak-ripened tomatoes, sustainable agriculture, and simple processing that preserves natural flavor and freshness while supporting local farmers and community values.
Rumiano Cheese Rumiano Cheese is a historic cheese company founded by the Rumiano family after emigrating from Italy in the early 1900s, built on a tradition of dairy farming and craftsmanship. Known for producing high-quality cheeses such as Monterey Dry Jack, the company continues to focus on quality, sustainability, and responsible sourcing while serving broader markets today.
SunnyCal Farms SunnyCal Farms is a family-run farm dedicated to growing high-quality, flavorful produce with care, resilience, and a passion for agriculture. Founded by CJ Buxman and his wife Maureen, the farm focuses on cultivating exceptional produce while building a sustainable operation grounded in hard work, dedication, and community values.
Primavera Primavera is a family-rooted produce company built on nearly a century of farming tradition in California’s San Joaquin Valley. Originating with Italian immigrant Alex Sambado in the 1920s, the company continues to grow, pack, and distribute premium produce while upholding a long-standing commitment to farming excellence, quality, and community.
Durango Packing Durango Packing is a grower- and packer-led agricultural company founded in 1996 with a strong commitment to quality, innovation, and hard work. Originally focused on citrus packing, the company has expanded into greenhouse vegetable production while continuing to deliver fresh, nutritious produce and uphold values of excellence, sustainability, and community.
Citrus Plus Citrus Plus is a family-owned small business founded in the 1990s by Pablo Mercado to support and market citrus grown by small California farmers. Built on hard work and experience in packing and distribution, the company continues to deliver fresh California-grown citrus with a strong commitment to quality, freshness, and care from grove to table.
Kingsburg Orchards Kingsburg Orchards is a family-owned and operated agricultural company based in California’s Central Valley. Over the past two decades, it has grown into a premier shipper and packer of fresh California fruit, working with an experienced team that has been growing together for nearly 16 years. Kingsburg Orchards is committed to delivering high-quality seasonal fruit from May through February, with a strong focus on consistency, expertise, and dependable service.
Lopes Family Farms Lopes Family Farms is a family-owned farm founded by a father-and-son team focused on climate-resilient, sustainable agriculture. It uses an integrated rice-and-duck system to conserve water, improve soil health, and support productive, environmentally responsible organic rice farming.
Tierra de Esperanza Organic Farms Tierra de Esperanza Organic Farms is a woman-owned farm founded by Maria Magdalena Lopez Porras, originally from Oaxaca, Mexico, now growing fresh, organic vegetables in California. Inspired by more than 20 years of agricultural experience in California’s fields, Maria and her family are committed to providing nutritious produce while promoting healthy living, sustainability, and community well-being.
Kings River Packing Kings River Packing is an 8th-generation family farm founded on a legacy that began in the 1800s, when the original owner planted some of the first citrus trees in California’s Central Valley—trees that are still producing fruit today. Founded as an independent packer and shipper in the 1970s, Kings River Packing remains committed to growing and packing quality citrus while expanding varieties and availability to better serve customers and support the future of citrus farming.
Growing Forward Map