March 2000
Gene Kahn
Chicago-born Organic Pioneer Journeys from Hippie Farmer to Top Executive in Food Industry
by Tom Meier
Gene Kahn’s life trek in many ways parallels the evolution of the organic industry. The self-described ex-hippie farmer from Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood moved to Washington state in 1968 and ended up growing vegetables "for survival" on an old abandoned farm. He became involved in some of the first cooperative markets that helped early organic farmers eke out a bare-bones existence. At that time he wanted to destroy the conventional food distribution system, which relies on shipping food all over the world, and build something that relied more on local production for local consumption.
But by the mid-1970s, he realized that this was not going to happen. So he decided to change his approach: "I realized that the best strategy was to try to influence the food system, rather than visualize ourselves as victims of it." If he could introduce organic food into mainstream consciousness, he would be growing organic farmland overall — and accomplishing his deeper mission, which is to help create a better environment.
In the process, Kahn’s business has grown at twice the rate of the organic industry to become the largest producer of frozen organic food in the country. Last year sales approached $90 million.
In 1997, Kahn consolidated his Cascadian Farms with Muir Glen into Small Planet Foods. Late in 1999, Small Planet, based in Sedro-Wooley, Washington, was bought by General Mills, a move that he sees as largely positive. Kahn is still ceo of Small Planet, and says that there has been no attempt to change or corrupt his company’s vision. "Why would General Mills or any company want to ruin what makes us special?" he asks. "There’s been a transition from a movement to a business. You have to play by the rules of the food business. It doesn’t mean we’ll lose our soul or the meaning of organic. Rather, it’s the chance to have a much greater presence."
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