Growers Express

Growers Express LLC was pleased to serve our customers, suppliers, employees, and community from 1987 to 2022.  Growers Express LLC was sold in 2022 and is no longer trading.  Below is a brief summary of the history of the company.

Growers Express was founded in 1987 by South Monterey County, California growers David Gill, Steven Gill, Johnny Gill, John Romans, Stan Pura, Mike Hitchcock, Dennis Frudden and Ron Frudden, as well as head lettuce industry icon Joe Puga Sr., who all held the same values—growing and providing their own premium quality products, ensuring a consistent year-round supply, and offering superior customer service.

About Us

Our founders took three generations of farming knowledge—and respect for the land they all held in the highest regard—and fostered it into one of the largest suppliers of fresh vegetables in the nation.

​In 1995, Growers Express became a licensed partner of Green Giant™ Fresh — the exclusive fresh produce arm of the iconic Green Giant® brand. In 2009, Growers Express took over the role of master licensee of the Green Giant™ Fresh brand for the vast majority of fresh vegetable products marketed under the brand in North America.

Historically headquartered in Salinas, CA, with growing, processing, cooling, and distribution locations in California and Arizona, Growers Express was able to consistently provide the highest quality, best-tasting fresh produce, year-round. Since its founding, Growers Express also evolved into one of the country’s largest frozen vegetable processing businesses that continued to be a passionate, knowledgeable, and trusted leader in the industry.

Even as Grower Express’ business expanded over the years, its philosophy remained the same – build relationships and firsthand knowledge of the co-manufacturing process from seed to store, prioritizing speed to market through efficient, cost-effective, quality-controlled solutions.

Our Foundation

Purpose

Sparking healthier lifestyles through the discovery and enjoyment of quality, nutritious foods

Values

Integrity and Fairness, Teamwork, Innovation and Efficiency,
and Relationships

Vision

Growing next-generation healthful foods

Our History

35 Years of Commitment

For 35 years, the Growers Express family of growers was committed to innovative safety and quality practices, providing the freshest, most nutritious and highest quality vegetables to their customers.

David Gill

David Gill

Ron Harney

Ron Harney

Mike Hitchcock

Mike Hitchcock

David Gill

Sam McKinsey

Stan Pura

Stan Pura

John Romans

John Romans

Mid 1990s

In 1995, Growers Express became a licensed partner of Green Giant™ Fresh, which is the nation’s most trusted brand in the fresh produce category.

Mid 2000s

In 2009, Grower Express (through its wholly owned subsidiary, Growers Marketing, LLC) acquired the bulk of the Green Giant™ Fresh master license rights for North America from the then-brand owner, General Mills.

Mid 2010s

Growers Express expanded its offerings to include seven Green Giant™ Fresh brand suppliers with products in over 30 fresh produce categories. Since its founding, Growers Express also evolved into a frozen foods business with a 150,000-square-foot frozen vegetable facility in Yuma, Arizona.

In November 2015, B&G Foods, Inc. purchased the iconic Green Giant® brand from General Mills.

Mid 2010s (cont'd)

In 2016, Growers Express became B&G Foods’ exclusive manufacturer of all riced and noodled frozen vegetable products marketed and sold by B&G Foods in the United States and Canada.

In early 2019 and early 2020, Growers Express elected to focus its investment and growth on its frozen manufacturing operations and sold its West Coast-based fresh commodity and value add vegetable businesses to California-based Church Brothers Farms and its East Coast-based fresh value-add vegetable business to New Jersey-based F&S Fresh Foods.

Today

In May 2022, B&G Foods North America, Inc. purchased Growers Express’ Frozen Operations and its parent, B&G Foods, Inc., repurchased the master license agreement for Green Giant™ Fresh vegetable products.

Our Products

Fresh Value-Added

Fresh Vegetables

Anise

Basil

Basil

Marjoram

Beets

Bok Choy

Bok Choy

Broccoli & Carrot Medley

Broccoli & Carrot Medley

Broccoli Florets

Broccoli Florets

Broccoli Medley

Broccoli Medley

Broccoli Slaw

Broccoli Slaw

Brussels Sprouts

Brussels Sprouts

Brussels Sprouts & Baby Potatoes

Brussels Sprouts & Baby Potatoes

Butter Lettuce

Butter Lettuce

Butternut Squash

Butternut Squash

Mixed Herbs

Cabbage

Butternut Squash

Cauliflower

Cauliflower Florets

Cauliflower Florets

Celery

Celery

Leeks

Chives

Cilantro

Cilantro

French Beans

Endive

Escarole

Escarole

French Beans

French Beans

Fresh Mint

Fresh Mint

Marjoram

Green Leaf Lettuce

Green Onions

Green Onions

Butternut Squash

Iceberg Lettuce

Kale

Kale

Leeks

Leeks

Little Gem Lettuce

Little Gem Lettuce

Marjoram

Marjoram

Parsley

Parsley

Radishes

Radishes

Red Leaf Lettuce

Red Leaf Lettuce

Romain Hearts

Romaine Hearts

Romaine Lettuce

Romaine Lettuce

Rosemary Bunch

Rosemary

Leeks

Sage

Shredded Brussels Sprouts

Shredded Brussels Sprouts

Snow Peas

Snow Peas

Sugar Snap Peas

Sugar Snap Peas

Sweet Baby Broccoli

Sweet Baby Broccoli

Tarragon

Tarragon

Broccoli Medley

Thyme

Frozen Vegetables

Our Current Leadership

Mark Dendle

Chief Executive & Financial Officer

Kirk Wagner

Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel

With Gratitude

We are extremely thankful to our founders, suppliers, customers, and employees for their dedication and contributions to the success of Growers Express.