HOW WE GROW OUR PRODUCE
Grower Partnerships & Regional Sourcing
Hitchcock Farms is proud of our long-term, trusted partnerships with various growers.
Through these collaborations, many of which have lasted over 20 years, we continue to deliver consistent, high-quality produce.
Our partnerships span these areas:
Salinas, CA
Yuma, AZ
Mexico
This regional sourcing strategy allows us to supply the freshest, highest-quality produce year-round.
Growing & Field Management
We're committed to sustainable irrigation management, using drip irrigation when possible and washing our produce in the field so the water returns to the soil.
Hitchcock Farms practices crop rotation, which allows the soil to maintain its nutrients and reduces the risk of infestation or disease.
We also grow cover crops and practice companion planting, the practice of strategically growing different crops next to one another to enrich the soil.
We practice natural pest control whenever possible, by using beneficial plants and insects to ward off pests.
Thanks to our consistent and sustainable field management practices, we're able to maintain the highest-quality standards, which means our clients receive the best produce.
Harvesting & Production Control
The harvesting of our produce is one of the most critical steps in our process.
At Hitchcock Farms, we own our harvesting equipment and rely on trained, in-house crews for production control.
Every harvester follows the same process, so you get consistent produce with less handling damage and quicker delivery.
Cooling & Cold Chain Management
One of the biggest challenges in agriculture is field heat, which is the extra heat a produce item retains at harvest.
Different produce items have different temperature requirements, but virtually all produce needs to be transported from the hot field to a cooling facility as quickly as possible.
The longer the produce maintains its field heat, the more it deteriorates.
To keep our produce fresh and nutrient-dense, we follow strict cold chain management protocols.
Our rapid vacuum cooling process extends the shelf-life of our produce and ensures it stays fresh as it travels to our distributors and ultimately to diners' plates.
Shipping & Distribution
At Hitchcock Farms, we recognize how important it is for restaurants and retailers to have a reliable supply of ingredients.
Our expanded docking and loading systems allow us to prepare our products for transportation quickly and efficiently.
Orders arrive at their destinations on time, fresh, and ready to use.
Food Safety & Quality Assurance
From growing to packaging to shipping, Hitchcock Farms upholds the highest standards for food safety.
We were an early adopter of the Leafy Greens Handlers Marketing Agreement, and our commitment to food safety continues tirelessly to this day.
All of our employees receive regular training on food safety and product handling, and our documented safety procedures cover every step of our growing and shipping process.
We engage in both self-audits and third-party audits to ensure we're exceeding food safety standards.
We're proud to promote health and well-being by providing quality produce, and we take our role on the front line of food safety seriously.
What This Means for You, Our Customer
Hitchcock Farms has been putting quality, sustainable produce on our customers' shelves for decades.
When you partner with us, you can expect:
Premium, fresh and consistently high-quality produce
Careful produce handling to ensure quality and safety
Collaboration with trusted growers across regions
Sustainable field management practices
Efficient shipping systems
Delivering exceptional produce is at the heart of everything we do. We’ve built the systems, processes and consistency to make it happen – season after season.
