F&S Produce, Rosenhayn, N.J., finalized the purchase of the former General Mills Progresso Soup plant in Vineland, N.J.

The acquisition of the Vineland plant will enable the company to better serve its customers by increasing capacity and capabilities. 

“Our new state-of-the-art production facility will allow continued growth within the fresh cut produce space, while enabling our company to expand its meal solution offerings that our customers increasingly seek,” says Sam Pipitone, Jr., president and CEO. “As consumers focus on healthier, natural foods that are found around the perimeter of the supermarket, F&S Produce is here to provide them with the freshness, food safety and convenience that they demand.”

“Our strength has always been the fruit and vegetable portion of the consumer’s plate. Cooking capabilities at our new facility will enable us to also fill the starch or grain and protein portions of the plate, providing fresh, healthy and delicious complete meals to our customers,” adds Colin Turner, chief operating officer.

“We have a skilled and dedicated workforce, and we are excited to continue to expand our operations within our community,” says Lori Maddalena, chief financial officer. 

“We’re a vertically integrated company; we depend on the services provided by our trucking division, Pipco Transportation, as well as our freezer facility, Mideastern Cold Storage,” adds Sam Pipitone III, vice president. “Our 600 acres of farmland rely on the filtered process water from the production plants for irrigation and the vegetative waste that is generated is utilized as fertilizer for those crops. All of these operations are in the heart of Southern New Jersey, and we’re here to stay.”

F&S Produce services retailers, foodservice purveyors and industrial processors by processing and assembling fresh produce into a vast array of retail products, including fresh cut fruit and vegetable bowls and trays, salsas, ready-to-prepare meal sides and kits, individual and behind-the-glass deli salads and wraps. F&S also operates a pepper and pickle brining operation, produces individually quick-frozen fruits and vegetables and creates purees that are used in soups, beverages, flavors and a variety of other applications.