Sarah Frey

Sarah Frey is the founder and CEO of Frey Farms, a Certified Woman-Owned Agribusiness headquartered in southern Illinois. Frey Farms is a leading U.S. grower, shipper, and marketer of fresh fruits and vegetables. Frey also oversees the diverse operations of the Frey family of companies, which include land acquisition, regenerative agriculture initiatives, raw ingredient manufacturing, and a full-scale beverage business. The Sarah’s Homegrown brand of produce and beverages are distributed across the U.S. from over 200 cold-chain distribution centers, in both retail grocery and foodservice.

Described by the New York Times as America’s Pumpkin Queen, Frey defies stereotypical expectations with her keen business acumen and stylish persona. She owns farmland in seven states and manages millions of dollars in produce contracts. Frey Farms is recognized as America’s largest producer of fresh pumpkins; however, watermelons are their top commodity. Frey founded Tsamma watermelon juice, the first nationally distributed watermelon juice, and authored the best-selling book "The Growing Season: How I Built a New Life – and Saved an American Farm," published by Random House in August of 2020. This book has been optioned for adaptation into a television series by ABC, with Frey serving as the Co-Executive Producer.

Frey's entrepreneurial spirit was evident from a young age. At eight years old, she began helping her mother with a summer produce route selling directly to grocery retailers in southern Illinois. By 16, Frey expanded this route from 12 to over 150 independent grocery stores and bought her family’s small 100-acre farm. At 19, she successfully negotiated with Wal-Mart, securing significant fresh produce contracts that spearheaded the expansion of her business. This growth allowed her to bring her four older brothers back to the family farm, turning it into a flourishing enterprise.

Frey serves on numerous industry-leading association boards and has been appointed as an advisor to the Chair of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture. She has been influential in agriculture, holding bipartisan advisory roles for multiple members of the U.S. Congress, and has provided expert testimony on key issues affecting the U.S. food supply. Her advocacy extends to health initiatives, nutrition policies, and economic opportunities for underserved rural communities. Her companies support various nonprofits and partner with Feeding America.

Living on "The Hill" where she grew up with her two sons, William and Luke, Frey continues her efforts to enhance the lives of those in rural poverty. She offers professional college advisory assistance and internships to students pursuing higher education with a focus on business and agriculture. Frey credits her success to her humble beginnings, hard work, and a close-knit family instilled with plenty of Midwestern moxie.