How We Source
Sourcing is where values meet flavor. What you eat and how it's grown matter — for you, for farmers, and for the land we share.
It has to taste amazing.
If it’s not crave-worthy, it’s not in our store. We chase peak-season varieties—sometimes available for just a week or two—that are grown by exceptional farmers for flavor, not freight. The kind of strawberries that stop you mid-bite. Blueberries that blow your mind.
Flavor and nutrition go hand in hand.
Healthy soil grows food with vibrant colors, big flavors, and nutrient density. We work with farms that treat the soil as a living system, because what’s good for the ground ends up being good for us, too.
It’s about joy.
Rootstock isn’t trying to replace your grocery run. Instead, we focus on the exceptional stuff—the best-tasting and thoughtfully grown food we can find. We want to bring more joy to your plate. Got a fruit you’re obsessed with? Tell us!
It Starts With The Farmer
We don't just buy produce. We invest in people. We build long-term relationships with our farmers — collaborating, sharing feedback, and showing up for the people who grow our food.
We make the economics work for our farmers.
We pay our farmers more. At least 60 cents of every dollar you spend with us goes directly to the farm. The industry average? Just 16 cents. That's more than 3x the norm.
We pay them faster. We settle within 14 days, compared to the standard 30+.
We don't send food back. We take responsibility for unsold inventory, so farmers aren't left covering food waste.
Good farming should also be a viable business.
This is farming that takes care of people.
Our partners are deeply invested in the people who work for them and the communities they serve. They're educators, organizers, and community leaders who understand that good workplaces support healthy communities — and great food, too.
Food That's Good for the Future
Local means fresher (and a whole lot more).
We source directly from small and mid-sized farms within 300 miles, prioritizing nearby farms that keep supply chains short and carbon footprints low. Every single item you receive from us is fully traceable back to the farm it came from.
We go beyond organic.
Every farm we work with is certified organic and meets our strict no-chemicals, no-banned-substances standard. Most go much further — embracing regenerative and ecological practices that restore soil health, support pollinators, and conserve water. They're not just avoiding harm. They're actively stewarding the land for the next generation.
Together, we're building a better food system.
From regenerative farming and climate-smart crops to compostable packaging and low-carbon delivery, we work with farms and makers who are leading the way. Better food systems take curiosity, courage, and collaboration — and that's what we look for in every partner.