Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. and Church Brothers Farms have entered into an agreement for the sale and transfer of key assets from Fresh Del Monte's Mann Packing business. The transaction represents a strategic, forward-looking move for both organizations.
"This is a complementary move that positions both organizations for success," said Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, Fresh Del Monte's chairman and chief executive officer. "Church Brothers brings deep vegetable expertise and a strong production footprint, making them the ideal home for Mann Packing. For us, 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."
© Church Brothers
Church Brothers Farms' team members walking the fields.
Under the agreement, Church Brothers Farms will assume operations at Mann Packing's facility in Gonzales, CA. This expansion allows them to serve foodservice and retail markets more comprehensively. It will also integrate its vegetable expertise and value-added capabilities to further strengthen its retail presence.
"We are honored to steward Mann Packing's legacy in the Salinas Valley," said Brian Church, Church Brothers Farms chief executive officer. "This marks a pivotal step in our growth, reinforcing our commitment to category leadership and accelerating our strategic expansion into retail."
For Fresh Del Monte, the divestiture reflects a disciplined focus on strengthening its core portfolio and driving long-term, sustainable growth. Mann Packing has been an important part of the Fresh Del Monte family for several years, and this transition ensures that its legacy will continue under a company deeply rooted in the vegetable industry. By concentrating resources on high-growth fruit and fresh-cut categories—where it continues to deliver the highest quality and reliability—Fresh Del Monte will enhance operational efficiency, optimize its margin profile, and continue developing opportunities to convert residual materials and byproducts into new value streams—reducing waste and enhancing overall resource efficiency
© Church Brothers FarmsBrian Church.
For Church Brothers, 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 added. "This agreement reinforces that principle—two leaders doubling down on what they do best, creating a more dynamic, customer-focused future for the industry."
For more information:
Claudia Pou
Fresh Del Monte
[email protected]|
www.freshdelmonte.com
Loree Dowse
Church Brothers Farms
[email protected]
https://www.churchbrothers.com/