Who we are Farmer's Own is an organic wholesale brokerage owned by Charlie's Produce based in Seattle, Washington. We ship high quality produce grown in the Northwest to brokers and wholesalers throughout the U.S. and Canada. We represent about 20 organic growers, whose farms range in size from 5 to 200 acres. We operate from four conveniently located warehouses in the Northwest, including Seattle, Spokane, Wapato and Portland. Several growers are able to ship from the farm as well.

What we do
Our marketing service provides our farmers access to large volume markets allowing them to concentrate on crop production and maintaining quality. Product is shipped either in our boxes with the Farmer's Own logo or in the growers' own boxes. In either case, labels clearly identify our growers' products in the marketplace as Northwestern grown and certified organic.

Regular field and orchard visits provide our sales staff with valuable information about quality, harvest yields and availability. We feel that personal contact between the grower and the broker creates a positive partnership.

About the farms
Our farms are located in the diverse climates of Washington and Oregon. Our growing season runs from April to February (with the major availability during the months of July, August, September and October).

In the Skagit Valley-Mt. Vernon area, warm ocean breezes keep the summer weather mild and the growing season starts early and extends well into the fall. Many fields are sub-irrigated; the water table is fairly high and produces favorable yields of leeks, cabbages, cucumbers, winter squash, and burdock root. Further north is premium corn growing territory where we produce the highest quality corn, carrots and beans on the West Coast.

East of the Cascades there are two separate agricultural centers with conditions of high humidity and heat favorable for growing long season crops. Fresh water for irrigation flows from mountain reservoirs. From the Yakima area we harvest stone fruits such as peaches, nectarines, and plums, in addition to watermelons, cantaloupe, mixed vegetables and winter squash. From the Wenatchee area soft fruit is also available during the summer months and several varieties of apples and pears are available throughout the fall. Tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers also grow well in this region.

The lush Nisqually Basin (outside Olympia, WA.) was formerly prime dairy land destined for urban development, but is currently being preserved and cultivated by local agricultural enterprises including some very productive Farmer's Own growers. This rich fertile soil is ideal for growing leaf lettuce and other greens, carrots, cauliflower, sweet peas, potatoes, beans, and beets. Plump sweet raspberries climbing handsome trellises line the fields between well-tended rhubarb and celery.

In a growing region located at the western base of the Cascade mountains, the rich and fertile soil yields high quality, smooth-skin potatoes of all varieties including beautiful red, yellow, purple, and other specialty potatoes such as fingerlings and ruby cresents.

The Columbia river basin and the Yakima River Valley of Eastern Washington produce very firm potatoes of several varieties, including the popular Norkotah Russet. Due to a heavier clay soil content in the valley these spuds have more natural solids than those from sandier growing areas. This grower's long-term commitment to taste has made their family name synonymous with potatoes.

At 3500 feet, North Powder, Oregon spud growers have less insect pressure in their rich "silt loam" during the growing season due to their cold winter climate. Just 65 miles from the Idaho border, this area is also "famous for spuds". Organic varieties will be increasing from russets, reds & golds to include banana fingerlings, all blues and a new huckleberry red blush.

Land Stewards
Farmer's Own growers comply with state and national standards defining organically grown produce. We follow natural agricultural practices such as crop rotation and cover cropping to improve soil fertility and to control weeds and pests. Several growers produce their own compost, rich in nutrients, then add it to the soil to ensure a healthy harvest. Significant attention and concern are given to the cultivation of Farmer's Own produce. We feel the effort is well worth the food safety assurance and the sustainability of the land.

Certification Program Washington growers are certified organic by the Washington State Department of Agriculture through the Organic Food Certification Program. Oregon growers are certified by the Oregon Tilth. Certification standards are in compliance with California Health and Safety Code.