The Gerber story, by most accounts, began in 1928 on the production lines of the Fremont Canning Company. But according to Daniel Gerber, it all started in his kitchen the summer of 1927. Following the advice of a pediatrician, Dorothy Gerber had been hand-straining solid food for her seven-month-old daughter Sally. After many evenings of repeating this chore, Mrs. Gerber suggested that her husband try it. After watching him make several attempts, she pointed out that the work could be easily done at the Fremont Canning Company, where the Gerber family produced a line of canned fruits and vegetables. Daniel Gerber, covered in strained peas, thought his wife had a good point.

At that time, national distribution was nearly unheard of, meaning that the foods would only be available in a few stores in every area of the country. To compensate, the Gerbers launched an advertising campaign featuring a coupon and the now-famous Gerber Baby. The ads appeared in publications from The Journal of the American Medical Association to Good Housekeeping. Grocers who had been skeptical were now placing orders by the dozen. Within six months, Gerber Baby Foods were on grocery store shelves across the nation.

Gerber has continued to grow throughout the years. Nearly 190 food products are now labeled in 16 languages and distributed to 80 countries. Always dedicated to the health of its young consumers, Gerber has maintained one of the world's largest private research facilities dedicated exclusively to infant nutrition. And the company's Consumer Relations Department, begun in 1938 with Mrs. Gerber personally answering every letter, now responds to questions from nearly 800,000 consumers a year.

In 1967, the Gerber Life Insurance Company was formed as a subsidiary of Gerber Products Company. It is one of the top direct-response marketing insurance companies and a leading producer of juvenile life insurance. Gerber Life Insurance Company has more than $24 billion of life insurance in force and insures more than 2 million people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada.

In 2006, Gerber launches 11 new Organic infant and toddler products, and begins conversion of Organic 1st Foods® and 2nd Foods® to convenient 2-pack plastic packaging. The Tender Harvest® line of Organic baby food is folded into the base business, creating Gerber Organic. The renovated Gerber Organic product line, featuring infant cereal, juice, single variety 2nd Foods® and toddler snacks, offers consumers an Organic choice for every stage of babies development through toddlerhood.

In 1999, Gerber introduced a complete line of Gerber Skincare and Healthcare products. The Skincare products include a full line of washes, lotions and tear-free shampoos with the unique Gerber SkinNutrients blend of vitamins and natural ingredients. The Healthcare line-up includes LiquiLytes Oral Maintenance Solution, Tooth & Gum Cleansers, Diaper Rash Ointment and Vitamin Drops.

In 2003, Gerber made 2nd FOODS® Fruits available in lightweight, easy-to-carry plastic 2-packs. Also in 2003, Gerber introduced a new line of Breast Therapy products, designed to make breastfeeding a more comfortable experience.

In 1994, Gerber merged with Sandoz Ltd. and was a part of the Novartis group of companies, which formed in December 1996 by the merger of Ciba-Geigy Ltd. and Sandoz Ltd. In September 2007, the Gerber Products Company became part of Nestlé.

Much has changed since that summer night in Daniel and Dorothy Gerber's kitchen. But the Gerbers' commitment to excellence has remained a constant guiding force through the years. Gerber today is as dedicated to the well-being of babies all over the world, as it was when it began in 1928. And as it will be in the years to come.