Organic pioneer Earthbound Farm returns to California-based ownership
California-based Earthbound Farm has been purchased by Taylor Farms from European-based food producer Danone S.A. Earthbound Farm the largest producer of organic produce in the U.S. Its portfolio of products includes fresh salads and vegetables, frozen vegetables and beverages.
Taylor Farms, also based in California, produces ready-to-eat salads, salad kits and stir-fry kits. The company employs 10,000 people, including 2,000 on its Salinas-based retail team.
“We are grateful for Danone’s stewardship of Earthbound Farm during the past two years and for the opportunity to return ownership of this organic fresh produce leader to local roots and family ownership,” CEO Bruce Taylor said in a press release.
Earthbound Farm was founded by Drew and Myra Goodman in Carmel Valley, California, in 1984. The company was the first to successfully launch prewashed, packaged salad for retail sale.
In 2009, HM Capital became a significant investor in Earthbound. The company was purchased by WhiteWave Foods in 2013, with WhiteWave ultimately being acquired by Danone in 2017. Danone, a multinational corporation, is headquartered in Paris.
Danone has reportedly been considering selling Earthbound since the summer of 2018.
