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From our farms to your family.
Welch’s is on a mission to deliver flavorful moments to families everywhere. And, like you, we care about where our food comes from. In fact, we’re owned by 700 family farms, rooted in tradition and hard work since 1869.
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Our Flavor Starts in the Earth…
Welch’s goodness starts in the vineyards, orchards, and farms where our farmers nurture their land so it will continue to be fertile and produce for generations to come.
Our grapes are 100% grown in the USA and go from vine to press within 8 hours of picking. We use 90% of the grapes we harvest, pressing the skin and seeds to maximize health benefits. This means no artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners in our 100% juice.
Real Fruit, Real Families, Real Flavor
Our family farmers harvest their fruit at peak quality and process it locally to give you the freshest flavor built on real, wholesome, farm-grown ingredients every time.
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Concord Grapes
Did You Know?
Concord grapes, first grown in Massachusetts nearly 170 years ago, are non-GMO and offer many health benefits.
Westfield, New York
Betts Family Farm
The Betts family has been grape farmers for 5 generations. They have 175.9 acres of land full of Concord grapes in Westfield, New York.
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By planting the different cover crops, we’re hoping to build up the soil for a more sustainable, more regenerative product.
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Niagara Grapes
Did You Know?
Niagara grapes are fresh, green, and naturally crisp offering many health benefits.
Ripley, New York
Chess Family Farm
The Chess family has been grape farmers for 7 generations. They have 65.9 acres of land full of Niagara grapes in Ripley, New York.
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Some of the vineyards are as old as 100 years.
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Apples
Did You Know?
• Our whole and cut apples are non-GMO
• Many are grown on family farms in North America
• Harvest time is late August through late October/early November
Note: Apples come from our sourcing partners and are not part of our grower owner network.
Yakima, Washington
Hansen Fruit Company
Eric Hansen, President/CEO (3rd generation) and Kyler Hansen, Operations Manager (4th generation), are building on the legacy founded by Wilbert Hansen (Bill) in 1948. This family-run business dedicates 2,400 acres to conventional and organic certified apples and maintains high quality standards at the warehouse and orchards.
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Our vision is to be a financially successful, innovative, family-owned and run growing and packing operation that is viable and sustainable for future generations.
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Strawberries
Did You Know?
- • Our whole and cut strawberries are non-GMO
• Many are grown on family farms in North America
• Harvest time is Spring through late Summer
Note: Strawberries come from our sourcing partners and are not part of our grower owner network.
Salinas, California
Blazer Wilkinson Gee
Blazer Wilkinson Gee, or BWG, was founded by three families. Still family-run today, BWG farms 700 acres of strawberries and uses crop rotation and precision input control to support the sustainability of their land and crops.
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As a family run business, we understand the importance of our role in supporting a healthy and vibrant community.
Featured In
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Where Our Farmers Grow Grapes
Where Our Farmers Grow Grapes
Every Welch’s product is made from Concord and Niagara grapes grown at family farms across the United States. Requiring the right mix of sunshine, rainfall, and cool nights, grapes can be picky about climate - so we grow in regions with the perfect conditions.
Niagara and Finger Lakes Region
Near Niagara Falls in New York, this region’s 42 growers harvest tons of Welch’s Concord and Niagara grapes every year on nearly 1,300 acres.
Lake Erie Region
Harvesting Welch’s Concord and Niagara grapes near the smallest of the Great Lakes, this region is home to 339 growers with over 17,000 Concord and Niagara acres.
Michigan Region
Nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan, 157 growers grow Welch’s Concord and Niagara grapes harvested on over 7,000 acres.
Washington Region
Our Washington vineyards are home to 191 growers who grow Welch’s Concord and Niagara grapes harvested on over 10,000 acres, including 750 certified organic acres.
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Meet More of Our Families
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Name
Ned Totzke
Region
Baroda, MI
Information
The Totzke’s are not just farmers. They are part of a family of growers who not only own the Welch’s brand, but also are responsible for its quality and iconic reputation. Since 1958, they’ve fine-tuned the art of harvesting grapes, celebrating that it is what they were meant to do in life. Pride, love, passion – it’s why the Totzke’s keep crushing it.
I enjoy being out in vineyards every day, walking down the fields seeing what we’ve transformed - start to finish.
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Name
Jeanette Nichols
Region
Niagara County in New York
Information
Lewiston is right near Niagara Falls. So it’s natural that, in addition to Concord grapes, Nichols Farm grows Niagara grapes for Welch’s. These Niagara grapes go into Welch’s products like 100% White Grape Juice and Sparkling White Grape Juice co*cktail.
What makes it taste so great is the sun, the rain and the soil. And we put a lot of love in it here in Lewiston.
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Name
Tim Grow
Region
Grandview, WA
Information
Tim’s a 3rdgeneration Welch’s farmer who understands that delivering quality makes you feel accomplished. For Tim, quality is the preservation of the land he farms and in the precision of when his Concord grapes are harvested. This quality makes Tim proud that he has an amazing legacy to leave to his kids.
Delivering quality makes you feel accomplished!
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Name
Tracy Beckman
Region
Pennsylvania
Information
For over 50 years, the Beckman’s have done just that, harvesting quality grapes – with kids working alongside their parents. For them, the farm is where they live, create memories and show their family that a job can equal joy. Keep Crushing it, Beckmans!
Work starts at 3 in the morning…but even during the busiest times of harvest, we still find time to come together and enjoy our vineyard.
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Name
Todd Wheeler
Region
Sunnyside, WA
Information
Todd’s a 2ndgeneration Welch’s farmer. His passions — caring for the nutrients in the ground, the strength of the vine, and his family. Todd’s love for what he does drives him every day, whether it be working alongside dozens of people on his farm or overcoming Mother Nature’s unexpected winter freeze to still deliver a delicious grape.
The sky is the limit with what Todd can do as a farmer — it’s built into his DNA.
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Name
Paul Kilian
Region
Sunnyside, WA
Information
Paul is a 3rd generation Welch’s farmer.He feels working in agriculture is a dream, not just a job. It’s fueled his work ethic — “Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” This has inspired his kids and grandkids to always “put in the work” to achieve their dreams too.
Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
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Fun Facts
Mickey’s Main Squeeze
In 1955, Welch’s appeared on The Mickey Mouse Club and opened the famous juice stand at Disneyland.
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Fun Facts
Filled with Joy
In the 1970s, Welch’s introduced Jelly Donuts, becoming a sensation for years.
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Fun Facts
The Welchkins
The animated, gnome-like Welchkins debuted as a commercial in 1981, winning the hearts of kids everywhere.
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Fun Facts
Grape Stomping Ball
Welch’s set a world record for grape stomping at the Lucille Ball Festival, as 1,232 people stomped 60 tons of grapes.
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Fun Facts
Largest Toast
Welch’s sets the world record for the largest toast, raising 32,906 cups of grape juice with sports fans at Fenway Park.
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Our History
1849
The First Concord Grape
Ephraim Bull grows the first Concord grape on his farm in Massachusetts.
1854
Seeds for Sale
Bull places his first harvest of Concord seedlings on the market.
1869
Dr. Welch's Discovery
Dr. Thomas Bramwell Welch bottles his first batch of grape juice in his kitchen.
1890
Dr. Welch's Grape Juice
The name changes from Dr. Welch’s Unfermented Wine to Dr. Welch’s Grape Juice.
1893
World's Fair Debut
Welch’s Grape Juice makes its debut at the World’s Fair in Chicago, becoming a household name.
1897
Processing Grapes
Charles Welch processes 300 tons of grapes at Welch’s plant in Westfield, NY.
1918
Introducing "Grapelade"
Welch's develops its first jame "Grapelade," and the U.S. Army enjoys it with peanut butter. The famous PB&J is born!
1945
First Grape Council
The National Grape Cooperative holds its First Annual Meeting.
1949
Frozen Concentrate
A pioneer in frozen concentrate, Welch’s introduces Frozen Grape Juice Concentrate.
1956
Purchased by the National Grape Co-op
National Grape purchases Welch's Grape Juice Company.
1967
A New Line of Products
New products are introduced, from fruit spreads to fruit punch.
1985
Packaging Innovations
A first for the industry, Welch’s jellies and preserves are sold in squeezable containers.
2005
Expanding Crop
The largest crop in company history is received, measuring over 414,000 tons.
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