The transaction will see Church Brothers assume operations at Mann Packing’s Gonzales facility as Fresh Del Monte concentrates on its core fruit and fresh-cut categories
Fresh Del Monte Produce and Church Brothers Farms have announced an agreement for the sale and transfer of key assets from Fresh Del Monte’s Mann Packing business.
According to a statement, the transaction represents a ”strategic, forward-looking move for both organisations – aligning each company around its core strengths and driving continued progress for the fresh produce industry as a whole”.
“This is a complementary move that positions both organisations for success,” said 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,” he continued.
“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.”
Under the agreement, Church Brothers Farms will assume operations at Mann Packing’s facility in Gonzales, California.
The expansion allows Church Brothers to serve both foodservice and retail markets more comprehensively, operating as ”a true, one-stop shop for customers seeking continuity, quality and convenience”.
The group said that, building on Mann Packing’s legacy of innovation, it will integrate its vegetable expertise and value-added capabilities to further strengthen its retail presence.
“As industry leaders in farming, harvesting, processing, and marketing premium vegetables, we are honoured to steward Mann Packing’s legacy in the Salinas Valley,” said 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.”
Fresh Del Monte explained 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,” the company stated.
”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, optimise its margin profile, and continue developing opportunities to convert residual materials and byproducts into new value streams, while reducing waste and enhancing overall resource efficiency.”
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.”
