Wholesum has been owned and operated by the Crisantes family for three generations. The farm, formerly known as Cris-P Produce, was founded by Miguel Crisantes Gatzioni in 1930. His son, Theojary Crisantes later transitioned the farm to organic in 1990 and was the driving force behind the farm’s move towards sustainable farming. Today, Wholesum has three farms in Amado, Arizona and Sinaloa and Sonora, Mexico and is run by Theojary’s sons: Ricardo, Theojary, Jr., and Jonathan.

Wholesum is committed to sustainable agriculture-“We see responsible farming as our stewardship to leave the planet better than we found it.” They rely on both greenhouses and open-air production to provide year-round supply of organic vegetables. They invest in high-tech greenhouse technology to protect crops from harsh weather and pests while making efficient use of space and natural resources such as irrigation water.

Wholesum was an early adopter of the Fair Trade movement. Its Mexican farms were Fair Trade certified in 2012, and in 2017 Wholesum made history by becoming the first Fair Trade certified produce farm in the USA! In addition to empowering and building comradery in the community, Wholesum’s Fair Trade contributions have gone toward scholarships, a transportation service for local students, school supplies, a community center, and a local grocery store.

Fun Fact: Several VV staff members helped build a Fair Trade funded community center and school in Los Janos, Mexico as part of a volunteer program. The buildings are used by Wholesum employees and their families.

WHERE THEY GROW

Greenhouse: 66-acres

Protected: 221-acres

Open field: 325-acres

Wholesum Farms Arizona (Amado, AZ)

40 miles south of Tucson

• Tomatoes on the vine
• Beefsteak tomatoes

How it’s grown:

• Under glass (high tech): 24-acres
• Open field: 3-acres

Wholesum Farms Sonora (Imuris, Sonora)

30 miles south of the border

• Tomatoes on the vine
• Beefsteak tomatoes
• Cherry tomatoes on the vine
• Long English cucumbers
• Eggplant
• Squash

How it’s grown:

• Under glass (high tech): 42.5-acres
• Plastic: 15-acres
• Shade: 7.5-acres
• Open field: 30-acres

Wholesum Farms Pacific (Culiacán, Sinaloa)

600 miles south of the border

• Tomatoes on the vine
• Beefsteak tomatoes
• Roma tomatoes
• Red bell peppers
• Eggplant
• Squash

How it’s grown:

• Plastic: 36-acres
• Shade: 162-acres
• Open field: 292-acres