Fresh produce giant Taylor Fresh Foods, Salinas, Calif., acquired competitor River Ranch Fresh Foods, also based in Salinas. The Salinas Californian reported the deal and said terms were not disclosed.

Taylor Fresh Foods spokeswoman Danielle Charters told the Californian that River Ranch will continue as a Taylor subsidiary. Officials said River Ranch will continue to operate under its own brands, which include Popeye spinach. The company employs about 450 people and it also markets salads, cut-vegetable snacks and commodity vegetables.

The Californian carried one comment from Taylor Fresh Foods CEO Bruce Taylor.

"We plan on making significant investments to add value for their excellent customers and to expand their unique product sets," said. "We will also expand River Ranch's range of commodity products to allow Taylor Farms foodservice and retail customers the opportunity to streamline their logistics systems."