Dec 7, 2022

Peterson Farms buys Fresh Innovations California

Apple processor Peterson Farms Inc. has purchased Fresh Innovations California. Fresh Innovations California, LLC, based in Stockton, California, specializes in organic and conventional fresh-cut apple slices. It ships under the brand Prize Slice, supplying schools and retail throughout the U. S.

The Shelby, Michigan, based fruit processing company publicized the addition to the Peterson Farms family of companies in a Dec. 7 news release.

The addition provides Peterson Farms a strategic expansion of fresh-cut processing capabilities to West Coast customers, according to the release. The Fresh Innovations addition and Peterson Farms Fresh LLC’s existing fresh-cut apple slicing facilities in Michigan and Appeeling Fruit Holdings LLC in Dauberville, Pennsylvania, provides Peterson Farms a presence in the three main regions for fresh-cut apple slice distribution to schools throughout the U.S., according to the release.

“Peterson Farms is excited to add Fresh Innovations California, LLC to the Peterson Farms family of companies,” Aaron Peterson, Peterson Farms’ CEO, said in the release. “Fresh Innovations strongly emphasizes giving their customers the best experience with their products and services, which aligns with the Peterson Farms’ mission statement. In addition, this will allow Peterson Farms to increase distribution capabilities to meet the needs of our K-12 customers throughout the U.S.”

Peterson Farms’ companies also include Lakewood Organic LLC, Oceana County Freezer Storage Inc., and Oceana Acres LLC.

Founded in 1984 by Earl and Linda Peterson, Peterson Farms is a leading North American fruit processing firm. It processes four core commodities: apples, tart and sweet cherries and blueberries. Peterson Farms operates six SQF-certified facilities encompassing more than 2 million square feet of processing and storage space, including individual quick frozen (IQF), fresh apple processing, juice, sauce, controlled atmosphere storage as well as one of the largest freezer storage facilities in the Midwest.