Archive For The “News” Category
Church Brothers Farms of Salinas, CA has announced completion of its acquisition of key assets and operations of Mann Packing from Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. solidifying the company’s leadership position in value-added vegetables and accelerating its long-term retail growth strategy.
The acquisition immediately expands Church Brothers’ annual volume with capacity to grow through the newly integrated Gonzales, CA facility: a 200,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art fresh-cut plant that includes 160,000 square feet of production and cold storage space, 40,000 square feet of offices, and
7.5 acres designated for future expansion.
With the acquisition now complete, Church Brothers becomes one of the only suppliers with the scale and capability to deliver a full retail fresh-vegetable offering – from value-added cut vegetables and packaged salads to specialty items and a broad assortment of field-packed products.
“This is a pivotal moment in our company’s growth,” said Brian Church, Chief Executive Officer at Church Brothers Farms. “By bringing Mann Packing into the Church Brothers family, we are significantly expanding our retail capabilities while sharpening our operational focus. We’re moving with urgency,
discipline, and ambition because our goal isn’t just to participate in the retail category; it’s to be a significant player.”
The acquisition allows Church Brothers to support both sides of its business more effectively. All retail processing will move to the Gonzales plant, providing year-round dedicated retail production while freeing up its San Juan Bautista, Yuma and Northern Mexico facilities for continued foodservice growth.
“This deal creates immediate advantages across our business,” said Jeff Church, Chief Operating Officer. “Retail customers gain a simplified, stable, single-location supply chain, while our foodservice customers benefit from expanded capacity and focus at our other facilities. It’s a meaningful win for our customers, our employees, and our long-term growth strategy.”
Founded in Salinas in 1937, Mann Packing is known for category-defining products such as Broccolini, Stringless Sugar Snap Peas, Broccoli Cole Slaw, and its leadership in cut vegetables and specialty items. Church Brothers will continue to nurture iconic trademarks like Broccolini while conducting a full evaluation of Mann’s branded products as part of the integration process.
“Mann’s has been an innovator in our valley for nearly nine decades,” said Brian Church. “We’re proud to steward that legacy forward—with the same commitment to quality and creativity, but now with the scale, farming network, and operational capabilities that only Church Brothers can provide.”
With full operational integration targeted for April 1, 2026, the combined organization will be focused on executing a strong launch year, expanding retail salad production, and leveraging its vertically integrated farming model to deliver consistent quality and supply across all channels.
For more information about the company and its products, visit ChurchBrothers.com.
About Church Brothers Farms
Church Brothers Farms is a vertically integrated family-owned and operated company that produces a full line of fresh vegetables year-round. Church Brothers has an in-house farming/harvest program and state of the art processing plants in the U.S. and Mexico. The Church family has a legacy of service and innovation in the Salinas Valley that spans multiple generations.
Global almond production is expected to rise next season, primarily thanks to increased output in the United States, the European Union, and Australia, according to the US Department of Agriculture.
The agency’s latest biannual report, Tree Nuts: World Markets and Trade, projects global almond production will increase by nearly 10 percent to 1.8 million metric tons (shelled), the highest since 2020-21.
The United States, the world’s leading almond producer, is forecast to harvest around 1.4 million tons, up 122,000 tons.
According to the agency, the US benefited from favorable spring temperatures and rainfall that supported crop development, leading to a 13 percent increase in output.
The European Union and Australia are also two major contributors to the global pot.
Global almond exports are forecast to reach 1.1 million tons, supported by a modest increase in trade from the United States and Australia.
EU imports are projected to rise by 10,000 tons to 275,000, while India’s imports are expected to increase slightly to 180,000.
The report notes that market gains will be partially offset by a nearly 25 percent decline in China’s imports to 100,000 tons, due to reduced shipments from the United States.
Wishing everyone involved in moving our nation’s freight a Happy New Year with good health and prosperity. God Bless. We are so thankful for you!
Mexico has solidified its position as a key supplier of fresh produce to the US, with peak import season from November to May.
The US Department of Agriculture reports that Mexico supplies 63% of vegetable imports and 47% of fruits and nuts to the US. Avocados from Mexico are particularly vital, meeting year-round demand when other sources are out of season.
Greenhouse technology has enabled year-round production of items like bell peppers and cucumbers. However, challenges such as rising transportation costs, border logistics and tariffs have affected sales, particularly for tomatoes.
Top imports from Mexico include avocados, tomatoes, bell and hot peppers, cucumbers, squash, berries, limes and mangos.
The USDA reports avocados and berries, including strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries, have grown the fastest among Mexico-to-U.S. horticultural imports over the past decade, with tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and squash remaining core vegetables being imported.
Mission Produce of Oxnard, CA notes Mexico supplies about 80% of avocados in the U.S. and is also the largest importing country of mangos to the U.S., representing about 67% of mango imports.
The supply chain linking Mexico and the U.S. is very efficient. For example, you can have a fresh avocado in two to five days, from orchard to your table.
The Almond Board of California says the state’s almond industry is contracting in part due to a year-over-year decrease in planted almond land area.
According to the organization’s 2025 annual almond standing-acreage survey, California’s total almond acreage is 1,505,997 acres this year, a 1.3 percent decrease from 1,525,638 acres in 2024.
While this decrease may seem modest, it is significant because it marks the fourth consecutive year of declining almond plantings.
Clarice Turner, President and CEO of the Almond Board of California, said this is one of the reasons for the contraction, which, in combination with sustained removals and fewer new plantings, “reflects structural changes in the California almond sector.”
“At the same time, global demand for California almonds remains strong, and the sector is well-positioned to provide a consistent and stable supply of California almonds around the world,” she added.
Productive acreage reached 1,401,097 acres, up from 1,383,332 acres in 2024. Of this total, 19,927 acres are considered potentially abandoned orchards, according to the board.
Non-productive acreage and plantings from 2023, 2024, or 2025 that have not yet entered full production declined to 104,900 acres, down from 142,306 acres a year ago.
Orchard removals in 2025 totaled approximately 49,197 acres. Removals totaled 66,794 acres in 2024 and 82,958 acres in 2023.
By Tamara Dardari, Marketing Assistant, ALC
With the holiday season in full swing, the demand for festive greenery is higher than ever, and so is the need to keep it fresh from farm to home. Christmas tree sales increase every year and are estimated at approximately 25–30 million trees sold annually. Sales of artificial trees continue to climb thanks to their convenience and durability. Wreaths and garlands have become increasingly popular over the years as people blend timeless tradition with modern decor. However, this does not compare to the demand for poinsettias around the holidays. An estimated 70 million poinsettias are sold nationwide annually, and they’re among the most delicate plants to ship. This includes transporting the plant at temperatures of 53°F-57°F and watering it enough to keep the soil moist during transport. Even brief exposure to cold or rough handling can cause leaf loss, making careful transport essential. Like poinsettias, Christmas trees require specialized transport in dry vans or refrigerated trucks with temperature control. The high demand and specific handling requirements for all Christmas greenery make the logistics industry’s services necessary to make the holiday season happen.
Fun Facts & Preservation Tips:
- Poinsettias don’t like cold weather – they thrive in humidity and are damaged when exposed to temperatures below 50°F.
- There are over 100 poinsettia varieties, though classic red remains the best-selling holiday choice.
- Keep garlands and wreaths fresher indoors by using a humidifier to maintain moisture in the air.
- Garlands were among the earliest Christmas decorations, originally made from popcorn and various types of fruit. Since then, they have evolved to include natural elements such as greenery, berries, pinecones, ribbon, and more.
- The top-producing Christmas tree states are: Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Washington.
Many behind-the-scenes logistics go into bringing cheer and decorations to life during the holiday season. Given the complexities of shipping Christmas greenery, it is essential to handle these products with care and understand how to navigate the transfer process. At ALC, we understand how delicate and time-sensitive the shipping of these plants and trees is. We move quickly and efficiently, providing the right temperature and living conditions as they are transported from the source to your home this Christmas season.
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Tamara Dardari graduated from Chapman University in May of 2025 with a BA in Strategic and Corporate Communication and a minor in Creative and Cultural Industries. She started her career with the Allen Lund Company in the Marketing department this past October.
tamara.dardari@allenlund.com
Everyone’s favorite toast topping may soon claim even more space on US produce shelves, with the Hass Avocado Board (HAB) projecting that shipments will bring avocado volumes to surpass three billion pounds by the end of 2025. The unprecedented avocado volumes signal just how deeply the “green gold” has rooted in American eating habits.
“This is a landmark moment for the avocado industry,” says HAB Executive Director Emiliano Escobedo. “Surpassing 3 billion pounds is not just a number—it’s a testament to the tireless efforts of producers, importers, and marketers who have worked together to meet the growing demand for avocados in the US market.”
HAB says the projected avocado volume represents a four percent increase from 2024 and reflects the ongoing consumer interest in avocados as a versatile, nutrient-dense product. The organization attributes the growth to coordinated promotions, enhanced supply-chain management, and sustained work to ensure year-round quality and availability.
Pineapple has made Costa Rica the world’s leading pineapple exporter and a symbol of the country’s commitment to quality, innovation, and responsible production, according to the Trade & Investment Promotion Agency of Costa Rica (PROCOMER).
Between January and September 2025, pineapple exports reached $992 million, with more than 1.5 million tons shipped worldwide. The fruit accounts for 35 percent of Costa Rica’s agricultural exports and reaches 44 international markets, with the United States (54 percent), Belgium (12 percent), and Spain (8 percent) among the top destinations. Its strong presence in Europe reflects a growing preference for products that combine flavor, traceability, and wellbeing.
“Costa Rican pineapple today stands as a global benchmark for excellence. Its taste, quality, and innovation have positioned it as a favorite in the world’s leading markets. In an increasingly competitive environment, at the Trade & Investment Promotion Agency of Costa Rica we work to sustain and expand this leadership, opening new opportunities for our exporters and sharing with the world a product that embodies the best of Costa Rica: health, sustainability, and trust,” said Laura López, CEO of PROCOMER.
Costa Rican pineapples are cultivated mainly in the northern, southern, and Caribbean regions of the country, where tropical climates and fertile soils create ideal growing conditions. The industry generates over 81,000 direct and indirect jobs, stimulating rural economies and strengthening the livelihoods of agricultural communities united by a shared principle: producing with care and quality.