For us at Wholesum, Fair Trade Certified growers of fine organic produce, doing things right has been a consistent thread in our 90+ year trajectory.
Wholesum is a multi-generational family farm with decades of expertise, a deep love of agriculture and respect for the land and the people working in the farms.
We have been growing 100% USDA certified organic produce, procuring organic seeds and growing in state-of-the-art greenhouses. Our dedication to protecting the earth’s natural resources has translated to efforts ranging from water recirculation and using renewable energy sources, to diverting recyclables from landfills and restoring local ecosystems.
In 2012, Wholesum became Fair Trade Certified because it truly reflects the values engrained in the heart of our family, values that transcend through the supply chain. Since then, our other farms have become Fair Trade Certified – including one in the U.S., which was the first Fair Trade Certified farm in the country!
Using funds generated from Fair Trade purchases, workers are able to implement impactful community projects which address needs, such as:
• Education • Healthcare • Housing
From the day that family farming pioneer Miguel Crisantes Gatzionis cleared the first plot of land of Campo Santa Fe in Sinaloa, Mexico using no more than machetes and a mule, the company has hit many notable milestones.
Miguel Crisantes Gatzionis (1st generation) migrates from Greece and plants the first tomato seed in Culiacan, Sinaloa, MX.
Theojary Crisantes Sr. (2nd generation) joins the family farm after graduating with an agronomy degree from UC Davis, bringing views on creating a more noble food production system.
Wholesum begins trials with passive greenhouse technology and begins exploring organic growing methods for more sustainable production.
Wholesum receives first organic certification for tomatoes and bell peppers.
The third generation of Crisantes, brothers Theojary Jr., Adrian and Ricardo join Wholesum while construction takes place in the family’s second farming site in Imuris, Sonora, MX.
The first high-tech harvest takes place in Wholesum Farms Sonora.
Wholesum obtains Fair Trade Certification through Fair Trade USA for two farms in Mexico, solidifying the company’s commitment to social and environmental responsibility.
The first harvest of organic tomatoes takes place in Wholesum Farms Arizona.
Wholesum receives Fair Trade certification in Arizona – making it the first Fair Trade Certified farm in the USA.
Wholesum invites customer volunteers to help build a Community Center in Sonora, now ran by the fair trade committee, providing students access to computers, Internet and books.
Wholesum surpasses $1 million in Community Development Funds generated in that year achieving $3.5 million in the first 6 years of the program. These funds are used in impactful community projects that address needs like education, health, nutrition and housing.
Wholesum officially establishes Research and Development Department focused on product innovation and solutions for organic production
Wholesum expands warehouse by 10,000 square feet and adds solar panels to displace electrical energy use.
Wholesum surpasses over $8 million in Fair Trade Community Development Funds and celebrates 10 years of Fair Trade Certification with impact festival.
Today, Wholesum is a leading grower and shipper of USDA certified organic farm-fresh vegetables. It is still operated by the Crisantes family, all forward thinkers who remain true to the vision of impacting the organic food industry through a sustainable model that empowers its workers.
