Taylor Farms

Bruce Taylor, BS/BA 78, a third-generation lettuce producer in Salinas, California, founded Taylor Farms in 1995 to become North America’s leading producer of salads and healthy fresh foods. As Chairman and CEO, he’s built the company into a $7 billion enterprise with over 25,000 employees and 30 processing facilities. Operating across retail, foodservice, and prepared foods, Taylor Farms partners with every major retail group, club store, and quick-service restaurant chain in the country while producing 165 million servings of produce weekly. Along the way, the company has served as a model for innovation, sustainability, and food safety in the produce industry.

1995–2006

Taylor and financial partners launch Taylor Fresh Foods, parent of the Taylor Farms operating companies, in South Bay, Florida. Over the next 11 years, they create a national production footprint. 

2007–2008

As chairman of the Produce Marketing Association, Taylor partners with the PMA to create the Center for Produce Safety at UC Davis to advance research and education. The company works with Western Growers Association (WGA) to create the California Leafy Green Marketing Agreement to standardize food safety practices in the produce industry.

2009 

The company launches SmartWash Solutions, a revolutionary wash-water monitoring system to sanitize and prevent microbial cross contamination, and makes it available to the industry.

2012

Taylor Farms enters the grocery store market with the first-ever branded prepackaged chopped salads with dressings and condiments, creating a fast-growing segment within the salad kit category.

2018

Taylor Farms becomes the first fresh food company to receive TRUE Platinum certification in recognition of its Zero Waste Program. The company now has two production facilities in Mexico. 

2019–2021

The company acquires Earthbound Farm, to grow its organic category; the Eat Smart brand; and FreshPoint Toronto, its first production facility in Canada. 

2024–2025

Retail products now include salads and salad kits, vegetable trays, grab-and-go items, and ready-to-heat side dish and meal options. The company is now in five European countries, including  Spain, Italy, and the U.K.

2026

Taylor Farms launches a protein-forward product line of salad and vegetable kits and Taylor Farms ZERO, products made entirely without seed oils.