Once Upon a Farm, the children’s organic food company co-founded by actress Jennifer Garner, fetched an $844.9 million valuation as its shares opened 17% above the offer price in its New York Stock Exchange debut on Friday.
The Berkeley, Calif.-based company’s stock opened at $21 apiece, compared with the $18 offer price. The firm and some of its backers sold roughly 11 million shares within the marketed range of $17 to $19 to raise about $198 million.
Consumer-focused companies are becoming more optimistic about the IPO window this year, after President Trump’s sweeping tariffs dampened activity last year.
Once Upon a Farm was started in 2015 by Cassandra Curtis and Ari Raz. Two years later, Garner and John Foraker, former CEO of food brand Annie’s, joined as co-founders.
The company sells packaged food for children of all ages, including cold-pressed pouches, pantry snacks, frozen meals and oat bars.
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