were always things to do , from making boxes to driving the tractor .”
A turning point came in 1984 when George and Alice decided to purchase additional land and open a novel food processing facility designed to process their crops of choice , beginning with peppers and garlic . George also gained new expertise in processing techniques and earned his food processing license through a UC Davis program in order to transition the business successfully .
“ Food processing increased our ability to market our crops beyond what we could do by selling fresh produce ,” George said . “ This part of our business took off faster than we ’ d anticipated , and we had help along the way from great people at UC Davis and the Farm Bureau .”
According to Jennifer Scheer , the Farm Bureau ’ s Executive Director , “ George Chiala has been a pillar of the ag community . Thanks in large part to his progressiveness , his farming operation and ag processing business are on the cutting edge of technology and lead the industry .”
In 1986 , Alice returned to school to study accounting and assumed the role of company CFO while George made inroads with major food companies across the country .
“ Most people don ’ t realize that there ’ s a lot of work done off the farm , all year long ,” Alice said . “ In the winter months , George travelled to Wisconsin , Ohio , New Jersey , and other states , winning new customers to buy our ingredients .”
Today , George Chiala Farms processes 60 million pounds of vegetable ingredients and is a major supplier to Campbell ’ s , Nestlé , Heinz and other leading food brands in the U . S ., Canada , the U . K ., Germany and Japan .
“ We supply garlic to most every tomato sauce company , and our jalapeño peppers put the spark in Velveeta cheese ,” George said with a chuckle , George Chiala Farms also supplies more than 20 ingredients for organic products that are offered by Safeway ’ s fresh foods commissary in local markets .
The farming industry is evolving and the Chialas stay a step ahead through innovative farming and food processing practices with respect to seed selection , growing practices , irrigation , water recycling and soil management , George ’ s passion for sustainable agriculture led him to scientist Mike Cox , owner of Anaerobe Systems in Morgan Hill .
“ I approached George with an idea to transform his company ’ s food processing waste into hydrogen , organic fertilizer and recyclable water ,” Cox said , “ At first , he thought the idea was weird , but he listened , spent a day brainstorming at my office , and decided to pursue it .”
“ the consummate gentleman , always considerate and respectful . He ’ s the kind of leader who gets things done , quietly but effectively .”
Mayor Steve Tate
Automakers are building hydrogen-powered cars , and California now has a mandate to build hydrogen fuel stations for those cars . Collaboration with Mike Cox has paved the way for George Chiala Farms to become a local source of hydrogen to Morgan Hill while reclaiming organic fertilizer and water that can be used in the farming operations .
The success of their farming and food processing business has inspired George and Alice to give back to the community in numerous ways . Since 1999 , they have been donating food for the hungry to Second Harvest Food Bank and The Lord ’ s Table , which operates in Gilroy .
Recognizing how access to education had benefitted them both , George and Alice have found a number of ways to give back in this area , too . They ’ ve been supporters of the Morgan Hill Unified School District including George ’ s time spent on the school district board . Their company also offers an internship program for students interested in agriculture . George started and still supports an annual car raffle to benefit St . Catherine ’ s
School in Morgan Hill , and he has led efforts to establish a new Catholic high school in Morgan Hill .
“ George has been tireless in his efforts to build the first new Catholic high school in the diocese of San Jose in over 50 years ,” said Susan Krajewski , Campaign Coordinator for the South County Catholic High School development project . “ His passion is contagious and spurs others to action .”
George also dedicates time to improving community access to health care . He chairs the Board of Trustees of the Saint Louise Regional Hospital Foundation , bringing his prior experience from serving on the Board of Directors for the O ’ Connor Hospital .
“ Saint Louise Hospital is being sold to new owners , and it will remain as a hospital , maintaining quality of health care ,” George said . “ We need to have the best hospital for our community .”
Morgan Hill Mayor Steve Tate describes George Chiala as “ the consummate gentleman , always considerate and respectful . He ’ s the kind of leader who gets things done , quietly but effectively . His community support and philanthropy is widely recognized , including leadership in his church and in community-based organizations .”
George has been recognized by the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce as its “ Man of the Year ” ( 2005 ), an honorary Rotarian ( 2008 ), and he was instrumental in bringing mushrooms back to the annual Mushroom Mardi Gras celebration ( 2011 ). George has also served on the Land Use Committee and the Labor Housing Task Force for Santa Clara County .
Today , George and Alice run the farming business along with sons George Jr . and Tim as full partners carrying on the Chiala farming tradition for a third generation . George Jr . is VP of Sales and Marketing while Tim serves as Director of Fresh Market Sales and Procurement .
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