Fresh Del Monte sells Mann Packing assets to Church Brothers Farms in strategic shift for the fresh produce giant

Global fresh produce grower, marketer, and distributor Fresh Del Monte is selling key assets from its Mann Packing business to Church Brothers Farms, a family-owned, Salinas-based company.

Under the agreement, Church Brothers Farms will assume operations at Mann Packing’s state-of-the-art facility in Gonzales, California. This expansion allows the company to serve both foodservice and retail markets more comprehensively, operating as a true, one-stop shop for customers seeking continuity, quality, and convenience. 

“This transition marks a pivotal step in our growth journey, reinforcing our commitment to category leadership and accelerating our strategic expansion into retail," said Brian Church, Church Brothers Farms Chief Executive Officer.

The transaction represents a strategic, forward-looking move for both organizations—aligning each company around its core strengths and driving continued progress for the fresh produce industry as a whole.

"This transaction allows us to concentrate fully on our core products and higher-margin, value-added segments," said Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, Fresh Del Monte’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. 

The executive added that the agreement also reflects the company's disciplined commitment to long-term growth and shareholder value, ensuring its investment in the categories and capabilities that Abu-Ghazaleh says will define the next chapter of the business.

Fresh Del Monte's strategic growth plan 

For the produce giant, 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.

By concentrating resources on high-growth fruit and fresh-cut categories, the company will enhance operational efficiency, optimize 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.

With complementary expertise and aligned values, Fresh Del Monte and Church Brothers are leaning into their core strengths to help strengthen the broader produce supply chain—supporting quality, consistency, and sustainable growth.

“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.”

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