Fresh Del Monte Produce, a vertically integrated producer, marketer, and distributor of fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, and Church Brothers Farms, a family owned, value-added vegetables and leafy greens company, say Church Brothers Farms will acquire key assets from Fresh Del Monte’s Mann Packing business.
The companies say this transaction represents a strategic, forward-looking move for both organizations, aligning each company around its core strengths and driving continued progress for the fresh produce industry as a whole.
Under the agreement, Church Brothers Farms will assume operations at Mann Packing’s facility in Gonzales, Calif. Church Brothers Farms says this expansion allows it to serve both foodservice and retail markets more comprehensively, operating as a true one-stop shop for customers seeking continuity, quality and convenience. Building on Mann Packing’s innovation, Church Brothers says it will integrate its vegetable expertise and value-added capabilities to further strengthen its retail presence.
“This is a complementary move that positions both organizations for success,” says Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, Fresh Del Monte’s chairman and CEO “Church Brothers brings deep vegetable expertise and a strong production footprint, making them the ideal home for Mann Packing and its legacy of innovation. For Fresh Del Monte, this transaction allows us to concentrate fully on our core products and higher-margin, value-added segments — areas where we continue to deliver the quality, reliability, and innovation our customers expect. It also reflects our disciplined commitment to long-term growth and shareholder value, ensuring we invest in the categories and capabilities that will define the next chapter of our business.”
Fresh Del Monte says the divestiture reflects a disciplined focus on strengthening its core portfolio and driving long-term, sustainable growth. The company adds that while Mann Packing has been an important part of Fresh Del Monte for several years, this transition ensures that its legacy will continue under a company deeply rooted in the vegetable industry.
Fresh Del Monte says by concentrating resources on high-growth fruit and fresh-cut categories, it will enhance operational efficiency, optimize its margin profile and continue developing opportunities to convert residual materials and byproducts into new value streams to reduce waste and enhance overall resource efficiency.
“As industry leaders in farming, harvesting, processing and marketing premium vegetables, we are honored to steward Mann Packing’s legacy in the Salinas Valley,” says Brian Church, Church Brothers Farms CEO. “This transition marks a pivotal step in our growth journey, reinforcing our commitment to category leadership and accelerating our strategic expansion into retail — an essential pillar of Church Brothers’ future.”
Church Brothers says the acquisition represents a continuation of its steady growth strategy and long-term commitment to the vegetable category. The company plans to leverage the Gonzales facility’s capacity to expand its integrated supply network, enhance service capabilities and deliver greater value to retail and foodservice customers.
“Progress in produce has always come from collaboration and shared purpose,” Abu-Ghazaleh says. “This agreement reinforces that principle — two leaders doubling down on what they do best, creating a more dynamic, customer-focused future for the industry.”
