Bolthouse Farms Enters into Agreement to Acquire Carrot Operations of Rousseau Farming Company
BAKERSFIELD, CA - Acquisitions are the stuff of trade news writers’ dreams, especially when the news of said acquisition comes from companies like Bolthouse Farms. Building on its 100-plus years of carrot farming heritage, Bolthouse announced only yesterday that it entered into an agreement to acquire Arizona-based Rousseau Farming Company’s carrot operations.
“This acquisition will help us scale to serve our customers better by bringing more fresh and healthy, locally-grown carrots to them in the Southwest,” said Bolthouse Farms CEO Jeff Dunn. “We’ve had a longstanding relationship with the Rousseau family and are committed to partnering with companies that share our core values of sustainability, product quality, and customer service. We look forward to continuing to grow our businesses and support the industry together.”
The acquisition allows Bolthouse the opportunity to focus on providing customers with more locally-grown carrots. This blends well with the company’s overarching “four corners” growing approach, made up of Washington, Georgia, Eastern Canada, and now Arizona in addition to California. The acquisition also supports Bolthouse Farms’ plans for innovation in the carrot space. Although Bolthouse has a strong standing when it comes to automation, processing, and packing advancements, it plans to refine the product, introduce new varieties, and optimize the growth cycle and supply chain.
Both Bolthouse Farms and Rousseau Farming Company share a rich history of carrot farming. The Bolthouse family started carrot farming in 1915 in Grant, Michigan, a press release stated, and by 1950 had established itself as a leading supplier in the Midwest. Similarly, the Rousseau family has been putting fresh produce on tables since 1892 and remains committed to providing consumers with locally grown produce more than 120 years later.
“My family has focused on providing fresh produce for the American table for more than 125 years, and I believe partnerships like this are what will help us continue to evolve and certainly see us through another 100 years,” explained Will Rousseau, Owner of Rousseau Farming Company, and a fourth generation Salt River Valley farmer.
Rousseau Farming Company will retain its name and ownership of all of its other produce operations. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Exciting things await Bolthouse Farms! Keep reading AndNowUKnow for the latest in all things produce.
