Church Bros. Acquires Growers Express

Church Bros. Farms has acquired the commodity vegetable business of Growers Express, including a licensing agreement to extend the Green Giant Fresh brand to new varieties.

The transaction is expected to expand Church Bros.’ overall annual production by 15% to 20%.

The acquired assets include the growing, harvesting and selling of field-packed vegetable commodities under Grower Express’ Green Giant Fresh license, according to a statement from Church Bros. Growers Express will retain the high-growth, value-added segment of its business, which includes its Cauliflower Crumbles, Vegetable Noodles and Green Giant Fresh Vegetable Bowls.

The transition will allow Growers Express to better leverage its expertise as innovators and marketers to deliver more consumer-focused and value-added products, according to the company’s CEO, Jamie Strachan.

“We are a business rooted in farming and we’ve been serving the commodity category for 30 years, so it was vital we find a partner that allows for seamless continuity for our farming operations, and Church Bros. is an ideal partner,” Strachan said in a statement.

The Growers Express commodity sales team will transition to Church Bros. before the end of the desert winder growing season, maintaining the same quality, service, branded product, personnel and volume levels throughout the transition.

“This move increases efficiencies and leverages the strengths of both organizations,” Church Bros. CEO Brian Church said in a statement. “There will be no overlap of customers by combining these programs; our existing program is predominantly foodservice and Growers Express’ is retail. Existing customers of both companies can be assured their designated volume is still in place, just shifting all under one company.”