Taylor Farms Opens New Salinas Headquarters

Taylor Farms has opened its new 100,000-square-foot corporate headquarters in downtown Salinas, Calif. The new state-of-the-art facility is located on Main Street in the heart of the downtown district and is the new home to approximately 150 employees working in all three Taylor Farms segments; Foodservice, Retail, and Deli. The building itself is a work of art, inspired by New Orleans architecture, say company officials. Large windows allow for abundant natural light on all five floors. An underground garage provides for easy and out of sight parking. The design also includes the unexpected: a 4th floor patio and barbeque area boasting panoramic views of the city and beyond, a 50-person lecture hall, and collaboration spaces - so called “huddle spaces”—where employees can incubate new and innovative ideas. With innovation and collaboration in mind, Taylor Farms is opening up the first two floors to other businesses, including retail and restaurant spaces with the hopes of creating a vibrant community gathering place. The Western Growers Innovation Center is occupying part of the first floor. This exciting venture provides space to start-up companies with the idea of nurturing new ideas and accelerating technology and innovation in agriculture. Taylor Farms CEO Bruce Taylor says, “The idea is to get these start up companies that have great technology but don’t know what to do with it, together with growers who have needs but don’t know where to go to meet those needs.” Born and raised in Salinas, CEO Bruce Taylor has a personal connection to the Salinas Valley, and he wanted the new headquarters to be more than just a building. He wants to spur other economic activity and help revitalize his hometown and specifically the downtown area. Surrounded by graceful patios, courtyards, and ample open space, the architecture creates a sense of community, providing places for people to gather and socialize. Taylor Farms has purchased several other downtown buildings, which are in various stages of renovation. Some will be used for Taylor Farms’ operations; others will be leased out for retail and restaurant opportunities. The plan is to create a business and social hub. Taylor says, “We want Main Street to be the living room of Salinas where the community can gather. We want to drive progress, as this city becomes an even more special place to live.”