Main Street Produce, also doing business as Freshway Farms, has named Vince Ferrante as CEO of the vertically integrated berry grower-shipper, effective Sept. 28.
Mark Murai, who has served as CEO since 2024, will become chairman of the board, a role in which he will guide the company’s strategy, growth and partnerships.
Ferrante has more than 35 years of experience in berry and vegetable production, operations, sales and business development. Previously, he served as executive vice president of Carolina Berry Group from 2018 to 2024. There he led farm acquisitions that grew the company’s blueberry acreage to more than 1,250 acres. He also oversaw high-tunnel substrate production of blackberries, strawberries and raspberries.
From 2010 to 2013, Ferrante was senior director of agricultural operations for Dole Berry Co. He ran strawberries, blackberries and raspberries across more than 5,000 acres in the Western U.S. and Mexico.
Ferrante began his career at Teixeira Farms and FreshKist Produce in Santa Maria. He worked his way up from production to director of harvesting operations and then international sales. He is a former elected president of the Santa Maria Valley Water Conservation District and a founding committee member of the Cal Poly Strawberry Center. He also holds a crop science degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
“Vince has farmed, packed and sold berries at scale, and he started his career right here in the Santa Maria Valley,” Murai says. “Over the past two years we’ve built the foundation to supply strawberries year-round. Vince is the right operator to carry that plan forward. As chairman, I’ll concentrate on where Main Street goes next.”
Murai joined Main Street Produce in 2024, succeeding founder Paul Allen. He has four decades of experience in berries and fresh produce.
“Mark has positioned Main Street for its next chapter,” says Daniel Fabian, a partner at Farmers Gate and a member of the Main Street Produce board of directors. “Vince’s operating depth and berry expertise make him the natural choice to lead the company day to day. Together they give us strategic continuity and strong execution.”
“Main Street’s reputation for quality was built by the Allen family and strengthened under Mark’s leadership,” Ferrante says. “I’m honored to lead this team. With the support of our board, we’re well positioned to grow and to deliver for our customers every week of the year.”
