CASHMERE, WA — Two monoliths in the world of fresh-cut and value-added produce are joining forces. Taylor Farms and Crunch Pak Holding Company entered an agreement for Taylor Farms to buy a minority stake in Crunch Pak® sliced apples.

The Taylor Farms investment will give Crunch Pak key regional distribution to retail and foodservice customers nationwide. Symbiotically, the partnership provides Taylor Farms with Crunch Pak’s fresh fruit slicing technology and fruit industry expertise.

“Our investment in Crunch Pak gives us the fresh fruit slicing technology we need to move into that category,” commented Bruce Taylor, Chairman and CEO of Taylor Farms. “We look forward to working closely with Crunch Pak as we explore new ways to deliver an unmatched quality of fresh sliced fruit products across a variety of channels.”

According to a press release, Dovex Fruit Co. and its partners will retain the majority stake in Crunch Pak, which will provide Taylor Farms with access to raw fruit product, organic and conventional. The Crunch Pak sales, marketing, and management teams will remain in place, with Bruce Taylor joining the Crunch Pak Board of Directors.

“The fresh-cut industry is rapidly changing; customers are requiring deliveries seven days a week. You have to be national but with regional delivery across the country,” said Crunch Pak President Mauro Felizia. “We bring leading edge technology in slicing the best quality fruit to the table, but we need faster distribution to market. In today’s business environment, logistics, innovation, and collaboration are important; our partnership with Taylor Farms will give us that synergy.”

The companies said they look forward to building on the partnership and are working together. 

How will this development alter the changing landscape of fresh-cut produce? Stay tuned with AndNowUKnow as we continue to report.

Taylor Farms Crunch Pak®