CASTROVILLE, CA - Ocean Mist Farms, North America’s leading grower/shipper of fresh artichokes, unveiled its latest innovation—Heartichokes—at the New York Produce Show last week to tremendous anticipation and acclaim.
“We were thrilled to launch our first-of-its-kind ‘Heartichokes’ at the New York Produce Show,” said Ocean Mist Farms President and Chief Executive Officer, Chris Drew, in the recent release. “Inspired by our ‘No Shame in a Shortcut’ rebranded Roastables line, these tender baby artichoke quarters are ready to cook right out of the package and are sure to elevate any meal.”
The exciting new value-added line features three items: two varieties with chef-crafted seasoning packets – Lemon Butter and Savory Parm – and one unseasoned option for artichoke fans who prefer their own signature spices. Versatile and convenient, Heartichokes can be roasted, sautéed, added to soups, stews, or stir-fries – and even grilled for an effortless, crowd-pleasing dish. “Each package contains about five trimmed artichokes for easy dishes requiring minimal prep, mess, or cleanup,” Drew noted.
Emphasizing how Heartichokes reflect Ocean Mist Farms’ commitment to evolving with consumer needs, Drew mentioned, “Commodities will always be central to our business, but we also recognize the growing consumer demand for value-added convenience items in fresh produce.” Continuing, “Remaining strong in the marketplace requires adaptation, and throughout our 100+ year history, we’ve continually evolved in response to shifting consumer needs and industry trends. Understanding how to transform traditional commodities into innovative, value-added meal solutions – while maintaining the right balance between the two – is essential.”
With a continued focus on product development and value-added innovations, Ocean Mist is building on its legacy of premium fresh vegetables while responding thoughtfully to consumer demand for convenience. By pairing its deep agricultural expertise with data-driven insights, the company is expanding into new formats, flavors, and meal-solution concepts that make fresh vegetables easier and more accessible for today’s consumers.
With the rebranded Roastables line rolling out in stores this month, Ocean Mist further strengthens its position as a category innovator and trusted partner. “We’ve invested significant energy and resources into understanding evolving consumer needs,” said Jeff Fulton, vice president sales & product management. “That insight fuels our development process and ensures we’re delivering on-trend, solution-driven innovations that both delight consumers and drive sales growth for our retail partners – all while honoring our century-old heritage.”
“As the largest grower-shipper of artichokes in North America, we are, after all, known for these coveted thistles,” Drew added. “Being able to evolve our flagship item into a first-to-market line of distinctive, time-saving products that we believe consumers will truly enjoy is very gratifying for our team.”
Heartichokes will be available in stores in early 2026.
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Ocean Mist® Farms
Ocean Mist Farms, a fourth-generation family-owned business in Castroville, CA. and the largest grower of fresh…
