Company History
In 1990 Rich Hart formed a Co-op of local growers to assist them in the growing, packing and marketing of organic fruits. In 1991, after experiencing growth in both the supply of and demand for organic products, it became clear that a smaller, more formalized form of management was needed. Starting with very little cash, a lot of hope, and a base of growers Rich had been developing since 1981, Rich Hart and three other Co-op members formed American 4-Star Marketing Inc., dba Rainbow Valley Orchards.
In the early days of the company, with a little rope sizer, a single cooler and a handful of employees, Rainbow Valley Orchards focused on product diversification. It was this ability to provide a full range of organic products to the small natural foods stores and produce distributors that caused the company to experience unprecedented growth. With the addition of a larger rope sizer and additional staff to handle purchasing and sales, Rainbow Valley Orchards was then able to focus on developing exclusive agreements with larger growers, making it possible to provide a consistent flow of quality packed organic fruits to the larger distributors in what was now a rapidly growing industry. This positioned Rainbow Valley Orchards as a first-call company within the organic produce industry.
In 1998 Rainbow Valley Orchards again saw the need to increase its production capabilities and made the decision to invest in a computerized, optical high-speed, packing line system. This was done to keep up with the huge demand coming from the mass market and the conventional supermarket industry. Shortly thereafter, a state-of-the-art bagging System was installed as well. The addition of these new packing systems has allowed Rainbow Valley Orchards to continue to service these growing industries with numerous packing options, including custom private labeling, in addition to its own premium, quality packed products.
Today, Rainbow Valley Orchards enjoys its leadership position in the organic produce industry as it continues to service the domestic and international mass market with a growing inventory of citrus and avocados from California and Arizona.
Commitment to Sustainable Agriculture
Nestled in the heart of Rainbow Valley in northern San Diego County, California, we are a grower, packer and shipper of quality, organically grown citrus and avocado tree fruits. As a responsible member of our farming community and the organic produce industry, we are strongly committed to sustainable agriculture. Because of this commitment, we are uniquely connected to many facets of the development and marketing of Organically Grown produce.
It is our responsibility to be respectful stewards of our created earth