Back in 1891, a man named Edwin Waldo Ward Sr. moved to Sierra Madre, California with a dream. He first purchased 10 acres of land from the town's founder, Nathaniel Carter, and planted the land with Navel oranges. He acquired 20 more acres a few years later totaling 30 acres of land. At the time, he was a salesman for James P. Smith & Co., a New York importer of luxury foods. Ward became the company's western representative. He married in 1900 and built the beautiful home and the red barn on Highland Avenue in 1902. Both buildings are still used today.

Behind the home, barely visible from the street, is the Ward canning factory building. Today, about 10 to 15 people are employed. Many are long-time employees. But the company will always remain small in order to preserve the high quality which is the Ward standard.

Our products are made using the best ingredients and methods possible. For example, we use only pure cane sugar, not corn syrup as in most jams. This gives the best flavor. We sell only the finest imported olive oil, from the first pressing of the olives. And our marmalades are still made directly from fresh citrus (not canned peel).

Carrying on this idea of "the best" today is Richard Ward, the third generation, and Jeff Ward, the fourth. We hope you enjoy our web site and please let us know what you think.