Duncan Family Farms, Buckeye, Ariz., partnered with Newstead Ranch, Clarence, N.Y., to expand organic farming operations into Brockport, N.Y.

Duncan Family Farms is an organic grower that specializes in the variety of commodities included in spring mix and spinach salads for retail and foodservice processors in North America, Canada and the United Kingdom.

"We are looking forward to growing our partnership with the Kreher Family and their team,” says Arnott Duncan, chief executive officer of Duncan Family Farms. “Working with them will allow us to expand on our mission to provide clean, healthy, life-giving food. We are also very excited to become contributing members of some wonderful local communities."

"We are excited to have the opportunity to expand into the beautiful Finger Lakes region of New York,” adds Caleb Ayers, general manager of Duncan Family Farms Northeast. “Being able to bring new partnerships, commodities and innovation to an area that is steeped in American agricultural tradition is an absolute honor. We look forward to the future, to the strength and growth it will bring to this business and this community."

The $11.8 million project will result in the creation of 50 new jobs.

Duncan Family Farms will be growing baby leaf items such as spinach, arugula and romaine lettuces for customers throughout the region and along the east coast, and plans to expand into other specialty vegetable crops as the farm grows.