Rancho Gordo facts for kids
Rancho Gordo is a special company in Napa, California. Its name means "the fat ranch" in Spanish. This company focuses on growing and selling unique, old types of beans. These beans are often called "heirloom" beans. Rancho Gordo wants to save and share these rare beans, especially those important to the food and culture of Mexico and the Americas. They also support farming methods that are good for the environment and help small farmers.
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How Rancho Gordo Started
Steve Sando used to design websites and work as a radio DJ. He also sold clothes. But he felt tired of that work and moved to Napa. He decided to try growing special heirloom tomatoes, even though he had never farmed before.
One day, another farmer asked Steve for help selling heirloom beans. This made Steve see how special these beans were. He started growing them along with his tomatoes.
Steve Sando officially started Rancho Gordo in 2001. He began selling his beans at farmers markets in Yountville. He also found many different kinds of beans from places like Oaxaca, Mexico. At first, not many people bought the beans. Steve thought this was because beans had a bad reputation in the United States.
A Big Break
Things changed in 2003 when a famous chef named Thomas Keller saw Steve's bean stand. Chef Keller liked the beans so much that Rancho Gordo beans soon became a regular item at his restaurant, The French Laundry. This restaurant later earned three stars in the Michelin Guide, which is a very high honor for restaurants.
After this, more and more people wanted Rancho Gordo beans. Steve needed more beans than he could grow himself. He asked bigger farmers for help, but they said heirloom beans didn't grow enough to be worth it. So, in 2012, Steve hired James Schrupp, an expert in farming. James helped Rancho Gordo work with other farmers in places like California's San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys, and Washington. The company also started selling other foods like hot sauce, dried pozole corn, quinoa, and chili peppers.
The Bean Club
In 2013, Rancho Gordo started something called the Bean Club. This is a special club where members get a box of different heirloom beans every three months. They also get early access to rare beans, discounts, and recipes. The Bean Club became very popular. By 2024, it had over 26,000 members, and 12,000 people were waiting to join!
Rancho Gordo Today
Today, Rancho Gordo gets its beans and other products from farmers in California, Oregon, Washington, and even from countries like Mexico, Peru, Poland, Bolivia, and Colombia. Most of their dried beans are sold in special packages through their website. You can also buy them at their store in Napa, through other stores, or at farmers' markets.
Rancho Gordo's Impact
Growing Success
Over more than 20 years, Rancho Gordo grew a lot. It started as a small stand at a farmers market. Now, it is a very successful business. In 2001, they sold about 300 pounds of beans. By 2007, they sold 150,000 pounds! In 2008, it was 250,000 pounds, and by 2018, they were selling 500,000 pounds of beans each year.
Rancho Gordo beans are used by famous chefs like Thomas Keller at his restaurants, The French Laundry and Per Se. Many other well-known restaurants in San Francisco also use their beans.
Saving Heirloom Beans
Steve Sando and Rancho Gordo are known for making beans popular again in the United States. They have helped Mexican farmers keep growing their traditional crops. They have also saved some rare heirloom beans from disappearing forever. This helps keep many different kinds of beans available, instead of just a few common types.
In 2015, Rancho Gordo introduced a new bean called the Marcella bean. It was grown in the West Coast from Italian seeds. A cookbook writer named Marcella Hazan suggested growing it. The beans were ready to harvest just as Marcella Hazan passed away. Steve Sando named the bean "Marcella" to honor her, with her husband's permission.
