Gerber Products Co. - 1953-55 dated Baby Food and Baby Products Company Stock Certificate

Stock printed by Franklin Lee Division-American Bank Note Co. Gerber was established in 1927 in Fremont, Michigan, by Daniel Frank Gerber, who was the proprietor of the Fremont Canning Company, known for its canned fruits and vegetables. Following a recommendation from a pediatrician, Gerber's wife, Dorothy, began preparing hand-strained food for their seven-month-old daughter, Sally. Recognizing a potential business opportunity, Gerber ventured into the production of baby food. By 1928, he had introduced five products to the market, including beef vegetable soup, strained peas, prunes, carrots, and spinach. Within six months, Gerber's baby food products were being distributed across the nation.

There are those who believe that Dorothy Gerber was the original inspiration for the baby food line. After a visit to her daughter's pediatrician, she spent time in the kitchen straining fruits and vegetables for her child. Following her efforts, she proposed to her husband Daniel, whose family already owned the Fremont Canning Company, the idea of producing this food on a larger scale, thereby easing the burden for mothers everywhere. An alternative interpretation suggests that Daniel was disheartened to find his wife overwhelmed and unhappy in the kitchen, leading him to create the Gerber baby food product line to alleviate her struggles. The brand ultimately grew into a significant player in the baby food sector, currently offering over 190 products in 80 countries, with packaging available in 16 languages. Its main competitors include Beech-Nut and Del Monte Foods. As of 2017, Gerber held a commanding 61 percent share of the baby food market in the United States.