Bakersfield, California-based Grimmway Farms, a large producer of carrots and the nation’s largest producer of organic vegetables, announced June 3 that it has acquired the southern Georgia and north Florida processing facilities and assets of Lake Park, Georgia-based Generation Farms. The acquisition marks the expansion of the company’s farming and processing operations in the Southeast for the second year in a row. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Grimmway began producing carrots in Cook County, Georgia, and Live Oak, Florida, in 2015. The Bakersfield-based grower-packer-shipper strengthened its regional investment with the opening of its Southeast Regional Packing Facility and Warehouse in Sparks, Georgia, in February of 2018, allowing the company to ship conventional carrot products from the facility from mid-December through May.
“We are committed to providing our customers with high quality vegetables year-round and we seek to improve logistical efficiencies through our regional operations. Generation Farm’s diverse processing capabilities and productive land base provide a unique opportunity to grow our regional carrot program and expand our organic division,” said Eric Proffitt, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Grimmway Farms.
Formerly Coggins Farm, Generation Farms’ Lake Park operation was created in 2013. Since then, Generation Farms has operated acreage across north Florida and Georgia. The company supplies carrots, green beans, sweet potatoes, blueberries and watermelon. Grimmway will continue to supply many of Generation Farms’ long-term customers in the region. Generation Farms also grows, packs and ships onions from its Vidalia, Georgia-based operation, which is not included in the Grimmway acquisition.
“We are excited to increase our footprint in the Southeast and welcome the talented team at Generation Farms to the Grimmway Farms family,” said Jeff Huckaby, President of Grimmway Farms. “We would also like to recognize Steve Grinstead and the Grinstead Group for providing expert advisory service and enabling a seamless transition from beginning to end.”
Grimmway, which is celebrating its 50th year in business, has successfully integrated several produce companies into their operations following the acquisitions of Cal-Organic Farms in 2001, King Pak Potato Company in 2000, Mike Yurosek & Sons in 1995 and Belridge Packing Company in 1991.
