Grimmway Farms acquiring California fresh-cut produce operation
Global produce leader Grimmway Farms has agreed to purchase the assets of San Miguel Produce Inc. and will integrate its fresh-cut greens operation.
Oxnard, California-based San Miguel Produce’s portfolio includes Cut ‘N Clean and Jade packaged produce. Its Bunch & Bulk line provides larger quantities of greens.
Founded in 1976, the company focused on growing bulk commodities such as lettuce and celery until 1995, when it transitioned to dark leafy greens. It fresh-cut processing facility helped launch its cornerstone brand, Cut ‘N Clean Greens.
San Miguel’s fresh-cut resources will help Grimmway combat food waste by providing postharvest options not currently available to Grimmway, according to a news release.
“This acquisition gives us the ability to leverage our combined strengths to seize new opportunities in the fresh-cut vegetable market, drive innovation and further our mission to bring fresh, healthy and safe produce to communities around the world,” Jeff Huckaby, Grimmway Farms president and CEO, said in the release. “We are well-positioned to build on our many successes of 2023 and meet the ever-growing consumer demand in the industry.”
Grimmway Farms will offer employment to San Miguel Produce’s existing team and will continue producing the company’s products at its Oxnard facility, according to the release.
“We are excited about this next chapter for San Miguel Produce and look forward to supporting Grimmway in innovating new products and expanding business opportunities in the fresh-cut, specialty vegetable category,” Roy Nishimori and Jan Berk, partner owners of San Miguel Produce, said. “Given the strong alignment of the two companies’ core values, we see this as a natural fit for the evolution of the category.”
Headquartered in Bakersfield, California, Grimmway Farms has grown from a produce stand opened by the Grimm brothers in the early 1960s to the world’s largest producer of carrots. Grimmway supplies more than 65 organic crops and brands, including Cal-Organic Farms and Bunny-Luv.
