Gerber Products Co. - Printed Signature of Daniel Frank Gerber - 1950 dated Baby Food & 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 owner of the Fremont Canning Company, known for its canned fruits and vegetables. Upon receiving a recommendation from a pediatrician, Gerber's wife, Dorothy, began preparing hand-strained food for their seven-month-old daughter, Sally. Recognizing a business opportunity, Gerber opted to venture into the baby food sector. By 1928, he had introduced five products, which included beef vegetable soup, strained peas, prunes, carrots, and spinach. Within a mere six months, Gerber's baby food products were being distributed across the nation. It is believed by some that Dorothy Gerber was the original inspiration for the baby food line.

'After discussions with her daughter's pediatrician, she devoted time in the kitchen to strain fruits and vegetables for her child. Following her endeavors, she proposed to her husband Daniel, whose family already owned the Fremont Canning Company, the idea of mass-producing this food, thereby relieving mothers everywhere of the burden. Another viewpoint suggests that Daniel was disheartened to witness his wife feeling overwhelmed and dissatisfied in the kitchen, which motivated him to create the Gerber baby food product line to alleviate her difficulties. The brand ultimately grew into a significant entity in the baby food market, 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 considerable 61 percent share of the baby food market in the United States.