THE ALBERT FISHER GROUP ACQUIRES FRESH WESTERN

STOKE POGES, England -- The Albert Fisher Group here, an international food processor and distributor, has acquired Fresh Western Marketing, a Salinas, Calif.-based fresh produce company. The purchase price was not disclosed.

cer of Albert Fisher Services, North America, which has three offices in the United States. In addition to Church, several original owners, as well as the senior management at Fresh Western, will continue with the company in various management positions. Fresh Western, with $200 million in annual sales, is involved in a variety of activities, including growing, harvesting, cooling, storing, packing and consolidating fresh produce for shipment. Its operations include fresh-cut processing, sales, marketing and research and development.

Albert Fisher, which operates in Europe and North America, expects the addition of Fresh Western to enhance its position as a supplier of fresh produce in North America. Fresh Western currently markets some 60 varieties of vegetables and fruits under its the River Ranch label to domestic and international markets in both retail and food-service areas.

Since 1984, Albert Fisher, which operates businesses in the fruit, vegetable and seafood sectors, has made more than 30 acquisitions of produce-related businesses in North America, the company said. Albert Fisher's U.S. offices are in Nogales, Ariz., Pompano Beach, Fla., and Salinas.