Taylor Farms

Bruce Taylor followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather and became the third generation to work in the fresh produce business. He initially founded Fresh Express, which was acquired by Wahquita Brands. In 1995, he and several partners then formed Taylor Farms, which partners with 100+ Salinas Valley farm operations.[4]

In May 2011, Taylor Farms acquired River Ranch Fresh Foods, LLC as a wholly owned subsidiary.[5] River Ranch closed in 2013.[6]

In August 2015, Taylor Farms inaugurated its downtown Salinas headquarters, a 100,000 square feet, $38 million facility, home to approximately 150 employees working in all three Taylor Farms segments; Foodservice, Retail, and Deli.[7][8]

With products that range from tossing salads to freshly prepared meals, Taylor Farms supplies many of the largest supermarket chains and foodservice restaurants in the United States.[9] Taylor Farms headquarters are located in Salinas, California with 2,000 employees; and with regional processing plants for another 8,000 employees in the following locations: Salinas, California; Tracy, California; Gonzales, California; Yuma, Arizona; Dallas, Texas; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Smyrna, Tennessee; Orlando, Florida; Annapolis Junction, Maryland; Swedesboro, New Jersey; Quonset, Rhode Island; Chicago, Illinois; Kent, Washington and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. [9]

As is true for all large agribusinesses, Taylor Farms can have difficulties with labor shortages and labor contractors, and salaries.[10][11] In addition, some have complained that they abused the 'temporary worker' contractors by keeping the 'temporary' employees as low-salaried long-term employees.[12][13]

In 2012, Taylor Farms introduced fuel cell technology as an energy efficiency development, cutting energy costs by 30% at that facility.[14] They are striving to eliminate all fossil fuels and have developed a facility utilizing co-generation, wind, and solar.[15][16]

Taylor Farms invests in new technology development through the THRIVE program of the CSUMB.[17] It automates much of the drudgery work.[18]

Taylor was one of the companies whose products were recalled due to food safety concerns in 2011, including a May recall of salads mixed with grape tomatoes supplied by Florida growers and an October recall of salad blends produced by Taylor. No illnesses related to consumption of the recalled products were reported.[19][20] Additional product recalls in 2012 included mangoes voluntarily removed August 30 by Taylor Farms New Jersey and retailers from East Coast food stores in four states.[21] Drew McDonald, vice president of national quality systems for Taylor, had testified at a 2009 house panel convened to consider the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009. While stressing the value of collaboration between food producers and government regulators, Mr. McDonald took issue with the bill's proposal to allow FDA quarantines of areas from which unsafe food had its origin.[2]

In 2016, protesters from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters gathered up in front of Chipotle restaurants to try to pressure them to recognize their supplier Taylor Farm so recognize the union and negotiate.[22]

• Official website