Lipman Family Farms of Immokalee, FL has acquired tomato grower Shelton & Sons of Morristown, TN. The company says the acquisition strengthens Lipman’s domestic footprint and reinforces its ability to supply consistent, high-quality roma tomatoes year-round, solidifying the critical July through October growing season.
Shelton & Sons has been a dedicated partner in Lipman’s local grower network for decades, contributing to Lipman’s seasonal success with roma tomatoes in the eastern U.S., according to a release. Lipman says Shelton & Sons’ long-standing reputation for excellence and integrity in farming aligns with its values around family, quality and community.
“For years, Shelton & Sons has helped us deliver the freshest product to our customers during peak season,” said Lipman Family Farms CEO Elyse Lipman. “Their deep history in family farming and consistent supply makes them a natural extension of our team. We’re honored to bring them fully into the Lipman network.”
With this acquisition, Lipman strengthens its regional supply chain during summer and fall months and continues its investment in reliable, domestic agriculture, the release said. Shelton & Sons will maintain its focus on roma tomato production, offering customers continuity with the added support of Lipman’s nationwide infrastructure.
“Our family has been growing tomatoes in Morristown for decades, and Lipman has been a trusted partner through it all,” said Terry Cantrell of Shelton & Sons. “Joining the Lipman family feels like a natural next step that lets us continue on the legacy of farming with purpose.”
This marks the third major acquisition in the last eighteen months for Lipman Family Farms. In 2024, the company welcomed another longtime roma tomato partner, Jones & Church Farms of Unicoi, Tenn., and expanded in the Northeast market with the acquisition of Northeast Produce, a tomato repacker in Connecticut.
“We are dedicated to growing our team with like-minded companies and individuals so we can continue to make fresh produce accessible to families for generations to come,” Lipman said.