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Taylor Fresh Foods Inc.
TypePrivate
Founded1995 as Taylor Fresh Foods
FoundersBruce Taylor
HeadquartersSalinas, California, U.S.
Key people
Bruce Taylor, CEO
ProductsLettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, other vegetables
Number of employees
20,000[1]
Websitewww.taylorfarms.com

Taylor Fresh Foods, Inc., doing business as Taylor Farms, is an American-based producer of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, based in Salinas, California.[2][3] The company was founded by former Fresh Express (now Chiquita) founder and CEO Bruce Taylor in 1995.[4] As of 2009, Taylor Farms was ranked as the world's largest salad and fresh-cut vegetable processor.[5] The company distributes its produce through third parties such as Golden State Foods to several California school districts and chain restaurants, such as McDonald's and Chipotle Mexican Grill.[6] Taylor Farms has more than 25,000 employees and 30 processing plants.[7][8]

History

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Taylor Farms was established by Bruce Taylor, a third-generation member of a family in the fresh produce industry. Prior to Taylor Farms, Bruce Taylor founded Fresh Express, which Chiquita Brands later acquired from Performance Food Group. In 1995, Bruce Taylor and a group of partners founded Taylor Farms.[9]

In May 2011, Taylor Farms acquired River Ranch Fresh Foods, LLC, incorporating it as a wholly owned subsidiary.[10] However, River Ranch later closed operations in 2013.[11]

In August 2015, the company moved their headquarters to downtown Salinas, California.[12][13]

In April 2024, Taylor Farms acquired FarmWise, an agricultural technology robotics company specializing in precision weeding and thinning solutions.[14]

The company took an approximate 16% stake in Pacific Valley Bancorp in 2025.[15]

Operations

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Taylor Farms supplies many of the largest supermarket chains and food service restaurants in the United States.[16] Taylor Farms headquarters are located in Salinas, California, with 2,000 employees; and with regional processing plants in various locations.[16]

Taylor Farms has faced difficulties with labor shortages, labor contractors, and salaries.[17] In addition, the company has been subject to claims that they abused the 'temporary worker' contractors by keeping the 'temporary' employees as low-salaried long-term employees.[18][19]

In 2012, Taylor Farms introduced fuel cell technology as an energy efficiency development, cutting energy costs at one facility by 30%.[20] The company has also developed a facility utilizing power co-generation, wind, and solar energy.[21][22]

Taylor Farms is a supplier to Chipotle Mexican Grill, McDonald's, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, and Taco Bell.[23]

2016 worker protests

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In 2016, 900 employees of Taylor Farms protested in front of Chipotle restaurants in California, where Taylor Farms supplied tomatoes. The protests drew attention to working conditions at Taylor Farms, which they said included “poverty wages, disrespect, and severe violations of their most basic rights".[24] The workers, represented by the labor union, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, aimed to pressure Taylor Farms to negotiate labor contracts.[25]

Food safety and recalls

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Drew McDonald, vice president of national quality systems for Taylor Farms, testified at a 2009 House panel convened to consider the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009. In this testimony, McDonald emphasized that Taylor Farms relies on preventive, science‑based safety systems to ensure product quality, arguing that traditional finished‑product testing is less effective. He also highlighted the company's major investments in modern facilities and processes to maintain high food‑safety standards.[5]

Taylor Farms products were recalled due to food safety concerns in 2011. In May, there was a recall of salads mixed with grape tomatoes supplied by Florida growers, and in October, Taylor Farms salad blends were recalled. No illnesses related to consumption of the recalled products were reported.[26][27]

In 2012 and 2013, Taylor Farms recalled products six times.[28] In 2012, Taylor Farms New Jersey voluntarily removed mangoes and other fruit mixes supplied to Wawa convenience stores in four states.[29][30] In 2013, Taylor Farms recalled organic baby spinach in 39 states for potential E.coli contamination and broccoli salad kits in seven states for possible listeria contamination in packets of salad dressing.[31][32][33]

On October 25, 2024, Taylor Farms announced a recall after it was linked to the E. coli outbreak[34] stemming from raw onions consumed at McDonald's that were sourced from the company.[35] 104 people were impacted, including one death, with a FDA inspection finding numerous violations in food safety procedures at the Taylor Farms facility.[36]

In March 2025, Taylor Farms contributed $1 million to Make America Great Again Inc., less than a week after the FDA announced it was delaying implementation of the "Food Traceability Rule".[37]

2026 cyclosporiasis outbreak

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In July 2026, Taylor Farms was linked to a cyclosporiasis outbreak traced to iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico and served at Taco Bell and sold by other retailers. On July 17, 2026, Taylor Farms de Mexico announced it was voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market and initiated a recall covering products in 27 states.[38]

On July 18, 2026, the FDA reported that a lettuce sample supplied by Taylor Farms had tested positive for cyclospora. On July 19–20, the agency said laboratory experts had re-reviewed the result and concluded it was a false positive, and removed the sample information from its outbreak page.[39] The FDA stated that the false positive did not change its investigation, saying "overwhelming epidemiological data" continued to link Taylor Farms lettuce to the outbreak.[40][41] Taylor Farms said the FDA had informed it that the agency made a mistake and that no company product had tested positive. The FDA disputed the company's characterization that it had apologized, with an official saying it "did not offer an official apology, but did explain factually the issues."[42][43]

Taylor Farms, through lobbyist Trent Morse, asked the White House to delay naming them in the outbreak. Former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb noted that was very unusual.[44][45][46]

Coverage of the reversal drew renewed attention to Taylor Farms' political spending. Federal Election Commission filings show its parent company, Taylor Fresh Foods, donated $1 million to the pro-Trump super PAC MAGA Inc. in March 2025, days after the FDA announced a 30-month delay to its Food Traceability Rule.[47] Taylor Farms said its executives had met with White House and FDA officials during the outbreak to raise concerns about the agencies' response process. No evidence has emerged that the donation or the meeting affected the FDA's handling of the investigation.[48]

References

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  1. ↑ "Our Story".
  2. ↑ Trippe, Jessica (May 6, 2026). "Bruce Taylor: Building Taylor Farms Into $7 Billion". Haas News | UC Berkeley Haas. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  3. ↑ "US Department of Labor proposes more than $1M fine following worker fatality at New Jersey vegetable processing facility | Occupational Safety and Health Administration". www.osha.gov. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Bruce Taylor". Hartnell College Foundation / The Western Food Safety Conference. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  5. 1 2 Sherry, Kristina (July 17, 2009), "Farmers critical of food safety bill", Los Angeles Times, retrieved September 10, 2012
  6. ↑ Chamlee, Virginia (April 14, 2016). "Why Chipotle Is Getting Hit With Farm Worker Protests". Eater. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  7. ↑ Trippe, Jessica (May 6, 2026). "Bruce Taylor: Building Taylor Farms Into $7 Billion". Haas News | UC Berkeley Haas. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Fresh Summer Meals Are Now Easier Than Ever with the New Taylor Farms Branded Chopped Salad Kits". Golden State Foods. November 21, 2026. Archived from the original on January 21, 2026. Retrieved July 26, 2026. the new Taylor Farms branded Chopped Salad Kit with Chicken
  9. ↑ "Our Story - Taylor Farms". Taylorfarms.com. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Taylor Fresh Foods acquires River Ranch". Thepacker.com. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  11. ↑ "River Ranch fails to 'regain viability,' closes". Packer. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  12. ↑ Donnel, Jessica (August 18, 2015). "Taylor Farms Opens its New Salinas Headquarters". Andnowuknow.com. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  13. ↑ "Produce giant Taylor Farms buys new Salinas building - from itself - for nearly $38 million". Montereycountyweekly.com. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Taylor Farms buys FarmWise to keep ag robotics alive". Archived from the original on April 6, 2025. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  15. ↑ Heeb, Gina (February 1, 2026). "When the Last Local Bank in Town Turns to a Global Salad Company for Help". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
  16. 1 2 "Taylor Farms Locations". Taylor Fresh Foods. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
  17. ↑ "Taylor Farms and employees reach pay raise agreement". Thecalifornian.com. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  18. ↑ "The Dirty Truth Behind Fast Food Lettuce". huffingtonpost.com. May 28, 2014. Retrieved October 3, 2018 – via Huff Post.
  19. ↑ Carroll, Rory (November 23, 2014). "Billion-dollar California salad company exploits undocumented migrants, say workers and Teamsters". the Guardian. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Corrected: Alternative energy powers Taylor Farms salads". Thepacker.com. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  21. ↑ "Taylor Farms wants to make food without fossil fuels". Techcrunch.com. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  22. ↑ "Taylor Farms Introduces Largest Solar Installation To Date". Foodmanufacturing.com. October 10, 2017. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  23. ↑ Creswell, Julie; Jewett, Christina; Draper, Kevin (July 17, 2026). "Taylor Farms to Remove Some Products After Link to Cyclosporiasis Cases". The New York Times.
  24. ↑ Chamlee, Virginia (April 14, 2016). "Why Chipotle Is Getting Hit With Farm Worker Protests". Eater. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  25. ↑ Castellon, David. "Union targets Taylor Farms through Chipotle". The Salinas Californian. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  26. ↑ Rizzo, Denise Ellen (May 4, 2011), "Salads with grape tomatoes recalled", Tracy Press, retrieved September 10, 2012
  27. ↑ Lunsfod, Mackensy (October 20, 2011), "Taylor Farms recalls 3,625 cases of salad blends due to potential salmonella contamination", Mountain Express, archived from the original on October 22, 2011, retrieved September 11, 2019
  28. ↑ "Recalls by Taylor Farms". The New York Times. August 30, 2013. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  29. ↑ Collins, Nikkita (September 4, 2012), "Mangoes recalled from campus Wawa", The Daily Pennsylvanian, retrieved September 10, 2012
  30. ↑ "NJ Farm Recalls Fruit Sold At Wawa Stores - CBS Philadelphia". www.cbsnews.com. August 31, 2012. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Taylor Farms recalls broccoli salad kits due to Listeria concern | Produce News". theproducenews.com. October 28, 2013. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  32. ↑ Habib, Lisa (February 20, 2013). "Spinach Recalled In 39 States - CBS Boston". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  33. ↑ Strom, Stephanie (August 30, 2013). "Taylor Farms, Big Food Supplier, Grapples With Frequent Recalls". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  34. ↑ Tin, Alexander (January 10, 2025). "FDA finds little handwashing, dirty equipment at McDonald's supplier linked to E. coli outbreak". CBS News. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  35. ↑ "McDonald's says supplier Taylor Farms is source of onions in deadly E. coli outbreak". NBC News. October 25, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  36. ↑ Mole, Beth (January 13, 2025). "Biofilms, unwashed hands: FDA found violations at McDonald's ex-onion supplier". Ars Technica. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  37. ↑ Cortland, Matthew (July 19, 2026). "Cyclospora Outbreak: Weekend Update". Shouldn't Need to be a Lawyer. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  38. ↑ Vanian, Jonathan (July 18, 2026). "Taylor Farms recalls iceberg lettuce in 27 states due to cyclosporiasis outbreak". CNBC. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  39. ↑ "Investigation of 5-State Outbreak of Cyclospora Illnesses: Iceberg Lettuce (July 2026)". FDA. July 19, 2026.
  40. ↑ Lovelace, Berkeley Jr. (July 20, 2026). "FDA says it's still investigating Taylor Farms in cyclosporiasis outbreak". NBC News. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  41. ↑ "Taylor Farms lettuce is still focus of cyclospora investigation despite false positive test, FDA says". CBS News. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  42. ↑ "FDA says Taylor Farms lettuce still linked to parasite outbreak despite false positive". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  43. ↑ "FDA says its investigation still points to Taylor Farms despite false positive". NOTUS. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  44. ↑ Josh Dawsey (July 25, 2026). "Taylor Farms Called White House to Try to Delay Cyclospora Recall". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  45. ↑ Marina Dunbar (July 26, 2026). "'Not standard' for Taylor Farms to ask White House to delay cyclospora recall, ex-FDA head says". the Guardian. Retrieved July 26, 2026. I never heard from the White House on those things
  46. ↑ Jewett, Christina; Blum, Dani (July 17, 2026). "Cyclospora Investigation Turns to Farms in Mexico". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  47. ↑ Roeloffs, Mary (July 20, 2026). "Here's Where The Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Stands After Taylor Farms' False Positive". Forbes. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  48. ↑ "Taylor Farms Visited White House Before Getting Outbreak Reprieve". The Daily Beast. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
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