Earthbound Farm To Manufacture And Market Pride Of San Juan Products
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA, Calif. -- Earthbound Farm here has acquired Pride of San Juan's manufacturing operations, in an effort to expand its reach in the foodservice market with specialty salads, herbs and edible flowers.
Effective April 3, Earthbound Farm will assume responsibility for managing Pride's manufacturing and marketing operations. Pride of San Juan founder Stephen Wyrick will maintain Pride of San Juan's farming operations, and continue to supply Earthbound Farm with volume to fulfill orders for the Pride of San Juan labels.
"Earthbound Farm and Pride of San Juan have been neighbors and respectful competitors for quite some time," said Wyrick. "I've admired Earthbound Farm's tremendous success in manufacturing and marketing and I can't imagine a better company to turn those functions over to, knowing my customers will continue to get the high quality service they've grown accustomed to. This lets me refocus my energy on what my family has done so well for five generations -- growing the best quality produce."
Wyrick and his family -- one of San Benito County's original farming families -- have been perfecting their craft since 1892. As a result of their commitment to producing top quality products, Pride of San Juan has become a leading producer of premium gourmet greens, herbs, and edible flowers with a tremendously loyal customer base, particularly among foodservice customers.
The transition will occur when both companies resume full operations in San Juan Bautista in April, following the winter season in Yuma, Ariz.
Earthbound Farm was on track to exceed $400 million in sales in 2006, with approximately 30 percent in foodservice. As a result of this deal, Earthbound Farm's revenue for 2006 is now projected to exceed $450 million.
Like Pride of San Juan, the roots of Earthbound Farm's business are planted in its early success growing gourmet greens and culinary herbs for top chefs, according to Earthbound Farm's chief executive.
"What Pride of San Juan has accomplished in the foodservice is similar to what Earthbound Farm has accomplished on the retail organic side of the business: continued growth, new product innovation and overall success that have set the standards for the industry," said Drew Goodman, president and c.e.o. "There's great synergy here with tremendous capacity for innovation and growth," he added.
With facilities approximately one mile apart, Earthbound Farm plans to ship all of the foodservice orders for the combined business volume from the Pride of San Juan facility at 1275 San Justo Road, while shipping all retail orders out of Earthbound Farm's current facility at 1721 San Juan Highway.
Effective April 3, Earthbound Farm will assume responsibility for managing Pride's manufacturing and marketing operations. Pride of San Juan founder Stephen Wyrick will maintain Pride of San Juan's farming operations, and continue to supply Earthbound Farm with volume to fulfill orders for the Pride of San Juan labels.
"Earthbound Farm and Pride of San Juan have been neighbors and respectful competitors for quite some time," said Wyrick. "I've admired Earthbound Farm's tremendous success in manufacturing and marketing and I can't imagine a better company to turn those functions over to, knowing my customers will continue to get the high quality service they've grown accustomed to. This lets me refocus my energy on what my family has done so well for five generations -- growing the best quality produce."
Wyrick and his family -- one of San Benito County's original farming families -- have been perfecting their craft since 1892. As a result of their commitment to producing top quality products, Pride of San Juan has become a leading producer of premium gourmet greens, herbs, and edible flowers with a tremendously loyal customer base, particularly among foodservice customers.
The transition will occur when both companies resume full operations in San Juan Bautista in April, following the winter season in Yuma, Ariz.
Earthbound Farm was on track to exceed $400 million in sales in 2006, with approximately 30 percent in foodservice. As a result of this deal, Earthbound Farm's revenue for 2006 is now projected to exceed $450 million.
Like Pride of San Juan, the roots of Earthbound Farm's business are planted in its early success growing gourmet greens and culinary herbs for top chefs, according to Earthbound Farm's chief executive.
"What Pride of San Juan has accomplished in the foodservice is similar to what Earthbound Farm has accomplished on the retail organic side of the business: continued growth, new product innovation and overall success that have set the standards for the industry," said Drew Goodman, president and c.e.o. "There's great synergy here with tremendous capacity for innovation and growth," he added.
With facilities approximately one mile apart, Earthbound Farm plans to ship all of the foodservice orders for the combined business volume from the Pride of San Juan facility at 1275 San Justo Road, while shipping all retail orders out of Earthbound Farm's current facility at 1721 San Juan Highway.