Fresh Del Monte, Church Brothers Farms Form Strategic Deal on Mann Packing Assets
Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. (NYSE: FDP), a globally recognized leader in vertically integrated production, marketing, and distribution of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, and Church Brothers Farms, a family-owned, Salinas-based company renowned for its expertise in value-added vegetables and leafy greens, today announced a strategic agreement for the sale and transfer of key assets from Fresh Del Monte’s Mann Packing business. This agreement represents a significant milestone for both companies, aligning their operations around core competencies while strengthening their positions within the fresh produce industry.
The transaction underscores a forward-looking strategy designed to create value for stakeholders, enhance operational efficiency, and support sustainable growth across both organizations. By leveraging complementary strengths, Fresh Del Monte and Church Brothers Farms aim to reinforce their leadership roles in a rapidly evolving produce market while delivering consistently high-quality products to foodservice and retail customers.
Strategic Rationale for the Transaction
“This is a complementary move that positions both organizations for long-term success,” said Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fresh Del Monte. “Church Brothers brings deep vegetable expertise and a robust production footprint, making them the ideal home for Mann Packing and its legacy of innovation. For Fresh Del Monte, this transaction allows us to focus more intensively on our core fruit and value-added segments—categories where we continue to deliver exceptional quality, reliability, and innovation. This strategic alignment reflects our disciplined approach to long-term growth and shareholder value, ensuring that we invest in the products and capabilities that will define the next chapter of our business.”
By divesting Mann Packing’s assets, Fresh Del Monte can streamline operations and concentrate resources on high-growth areas, including premium fruit and fresh-cut offerings. This enables the company to optimize margin profiles, drive innovation in product development, and expand value-added opportunities, all while reducing waste and enhancing resource efficiency.
Operational Expansion and Integration for Church Brothers Farms
As part of the agreement, Church Brothers Farms will take over operations at Mann Packing’s state-of-the-art facility in Gonzales, California. This expansion strengthens Church Brothers’ ability to serve both retail and foodservice markets, providing a comprehensive, one-stop solution for customers seeking continuity, quality, and convenience.
The Gonzales facility, known for its cutting-edge processing capabilities, will allow Church Brothers to integrate its own vegetable expertise with Mann Packing’s established innovation, further bolstering its retail presence. By combining best-in-class operational practices, the company can enhance product offerings, improve supply chain efficiency, and ensure customers receive consistent, premium-quality produce.
“As industry leaders in farming, harvesting, processing, and marketing premium vegetables, we are honored to steward Mann Packing’s legacy in the Salinas Valley,” said Brian Church, Chief Executive Officer of Church Brothers Farms. “This transition represents 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. We look forward to leveraging Mann Packing’s capabilities alongside our own expertise to deliver greater value to customers and continue building trust in the fresh produce industry.”
Focus on Core Competencies and Growth
For Fresh Del Monte, the divestiture of Mann Packing aligns with a clear strategic vision: focusing on high-margin, high-growth categories while driving operational efficiency across core product lines. Mann Packing has been an integral part of the Fresh Del Monte family for several years, and this transition ensures that the business’s legacy will continue under a company with deep roots in the vegetable sector.
By honing in on premium fruit and fresh-cut products, Fresh Del Monte is positioned to expand its leadership in high-value categories, while also exploring innovative ways to utilize residual materials and byproducts. This approach not only creates new value streams but also supports the company’s broader sustainability goals, enhancing resource efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
Church Brothers Farms, on the other hand, views the acquisition as a continuation of its long-term growth strategy and commitment to the vegetable category. With the Gonzales facility under its management, the company plans to expand its integrated supply network, improve service capabilities, and strengthen relationships with both retail and foodservice customers. The additional capacity will allow Church Brothers to better respond to evolving consumer demands and maintain high standards of quality, safety, and freshness.
Mutual Benefits and Industry Impact
The agreement highlights the complementary strengths of both organizations. Fresh Del Monte can channel its resources toward categories where it holds competitive advantages, while Church Brothers Farms gains access to a technologically advanced facility and a well-established brand with a strong reputation in the vegetable sector.
“This partnership reflects the principle that progress in produce often comes from collaboration and shared purpose,” Abu-Ghazaleh added. “By focusing on what we do best, both companies can create a more dynamic, customer-focused future for the industry. We are confident that this transition will foster innovation, strengthen supply chains, and ultimately benefit the entire fresh produce ecosystem.”
The transaction also reinforces a broader industry trend: specialization and focus on core competencies are critical for companies looking to thrive in a competitive, rapidly changing market. By consolidating operations in areas of expertise, both Fresh Del Monte and Church Brothers Farms are better equipped to meet customer expectations, maintain consistent product quality, and drive sustainable growth.
