Logo courtesy of the Pacific Coast Producers

LODI, CA (MPG) - Pacific Coast Producers has completed its purchase of key Del Monte Foods assets tied to its fruit business, the company announced.

The transaction includes Del Monte’s canned fruit and fruit cup assets, along with rights in the United States, Mexico and Puerto Rico to license and use the Del Monte and S&W brands for shelf-stable fruit products.

Company officials said the deal strengthens operations for the Lodi-based agricultural cooperative and its network of growers.

“The completion of this transaction is a significant event for our grower owners and for our company,” said Matt Strong, president and CEO of Pacific Coast Producers. “We will carry on our mission of producing and providing healthy and economically packaged fruit products to the U.S. consumer.”

Strong said the company plans to continue producing products under the Del Monte brand while maintaining established quality standards.

Aaron Smith, vice president of field operations, said the company has increased purchases of West Coast fruit to meet demand and support growers.

“We are committed to a viable agricultural community in our state,” Smith said. “We have increased our purchases of west coast fruit in order to provide adequate supply to our customers and will maintain the quality consumers expect.”

Pacific Coast Producers is a cooperative of about 160 family farmers based in Northern California. The company operates production facilities in California and Oregon and employs more than 4,000 workers.

Founded in 1971, the cooperative focuses on producing packaged fruit products while maintaining grower ownership and control.

Company officials did not disclose financial terms of the transaction.