In 1924, the Pieri, Del Chiaro, Tottino and Bellone
families formed the California Artichoke and Vegetable Growers Corporation in order
to market and ship Artichokes. In this photograph, Hugo Tottino loads a truck
with Artichokes ready for shipment.
2nd and 3rd generation Pieri descendents.
Sitting: (Brother & Sister) Al Pieri & Norma Pieri-Reasons
Standing L-R: Dorian Pieri-Richards (Reasons Family:) Don & Mark Reasons,
Kimarie Reasons-Manfre.
Not pictured: Rene, Glen & Diane Pieri
2nd & 3rd generation Tottino family: Karen, Cathy, Dolores, Hugo, Michele,
David & Les.
3 generations of Boutonnet family: George, Troy & Ed Boutonnet.
Tom Bengard Ranch, Inc. 2nd generation: Tracy Pezzini,
Tom & Bardin Bengard
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Since 1924, Ocean Mist Farms has pioneered the commercial planting and
shipping of Artichokes in Castroville (a town that has become synonymous with the thorny, odd-looking little vegetable), and today
it is recognized as the largest Artichoke operation in the United States. Through the Depression, labor strikes, wars, floods and
freezes, Ocean Mist Farms' commitment to high quality and superior service has never wavered. Commitment to its customers has
always dictated a continuous emphasis on quality assurance from soil to consumer.
In 1924, Daniel Pieri, Amerigo and Angelo Del Chiaro, Alfred Tottino and James Bellone launched the California Artichoke &
Vegetable Growers Corporation, renamed Ocean Mist Farms in January of 1995. Pieri had been in the produce business in San Francisco
since 1908 and had considerable experience in growing Artichokes and Brussels Sprouts in the San Gregorio and Half Moon Bay areas,
having earlier formed the San Francisco Artichoke Association and the Santa Cruz Vegetable Company.
The five partners set up business in a wood and tin shed
at what was then called Del Monte Junction. They leased some land about a mile south of
Castroville and began raising Artichokes and Brussels Sprouts. In these early days and
through the late 30s, many ranchers had no electricity or telephone service,
consequently much business was done by a handshake or through the mail.
The Pieri/Reasons and Tottino families continue to be actively involved in the Ocean Mist
Farms operation.
Prior to World War II, the company expanded into Broccoli and, in the 50s and 60s,
added Fava Beans, English Peas, Cabbage and Cardone. In
1970, Ed Boutonnet, President of Ocean Mist Farms and native of the Salinas Valley,
joined the company, bringing with him Sea Breeze Farms,
later renamed Sea Mist Farms, and Boutonnet Farms (mixed vegetables) to further
diversify Ocean Mists’ offerings.
The Boutonnet Family is also in its third generation of farming and is active in
the running of Ocean Mist Farms. Since the early 1980s,
Asparagus, Cauliflower, Celery, Corn, Fennel, Green Onions, Leeks, Iceberg Lettuce,
Mixed Lettuce, Romaine Hearts, Rapini and Spinach have
been added to complete the menu at Ocean Mist Farms.
The Bengard Family became part of Ocean Mist Farms in 1983 and is currently represented on the board of directors. They also grow
approximately 1,500 acres of product annually for the company.
Since 1985, the farming companies of Desert Mist, Laguna Mist, and Baja Mist plus the harvesting companies of Valley Pride and Sea Mist,
have been added to the Ocean Mist family.
In 1997, Ocean Mist Farms moved into new, state-of-the-art, office and cooling facilities. It now employs more than 75 people in sales and
related administrative positions, more than 200 workers in its packing, shipping and cooling facilities, and over 1,200 individuals in
affiliated ranches and harvesting operations.
With satellite operations in Coachella Valley, Huron, Imperial Valley and Oxnard, California, Yuma, Arizona and Mexico, the closely held
corporation has long led the industry in farming practices, field packing, cooling technology and innovative packaging.
The people at Ocean Mist Farms also have great respect for the environment and use advanced techniques of water conservation as well as
integrated pest and soil management.
For the past eight decades, Ocean Mist Farms has maintained its leadership position as a quality grower and shipper of a wide variety of
fresh produce, based on consistent standards of excellence in all aspects of its business. Ocean Mist Farms’ guiding values
continue to be based on Integrity, Quality, Passion and Success.
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First Artichoke Queen, Marilyn Monroe, 1948.
Field workers pose in the field outside Castroville, 1920s.
Irrigating a Castroville Artichoke field, 1920s.