Salinas, California based Colorful Harvest LLC announced that founding members Doug Ranno, Tom Remick, David Knudsen, and Art Davis, together owning a 60% interest in the company, have sold their shares to The Andrew Smith Company and remaining founding member Jeffrey Sholl, giving each a 50% interest.
Doug Ranno, the company’s Chief Operating Officer and a founding member stated that, “The new partnership will take advantage of many unique business synergies and complementary growing regions, and will provide capital for long term growth to help carry on the mission of Colorful Harvest for years to come.” The sale of shares will allow the four founding members to transition to new life challenges and opportunities. Doug Ranno, will continue in his current management role with the company as Chief Operating Officer to insure continuity and operational oversight.
Colorful Harvest grows, markets and distributes premium quality fresh strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and unique vegetables known for unique colors and flavors using traditional plant breeding methods. Colorful Harvest has growing and cooling operations in Florida, Central Mexico, and Northern California.
The Andrew Smith Company is an experienced and well respected grower-shipper of bulk produce headquartered in Salinas, California with additional operations in Mexico and Florida. Colorful Harvest and the Andrew Smith Company will continue operations out of their respective Salinas, California office locations.
Steffanie Smith, who will assume the position of CEO of Colorful Harvest in the new structure said, “Colorful Harvest has an established colorful vegetable program and year round berry programs in the USA and Mexico, plus a very well respected brand presence in retail and food service. We are excited about the many synergies of this new partnership and I look forward to my new role at Colorful Harvest,”
Jeffrey J. Sholl is a founding member of Colorful Harvest and remains CEO of Potandon Produce LLC, and The Vista Institute, and is currently a partner with Andy Smith and Steffanie Smith in California Sprouts LLC. “With the acquisition, Colorful Harvest will continue to provide consumers with colorful and nutritious fresh produce while expanded research capabilities in seed breeding, product development, and marketing expertise will insure Colorful Harvest maintains a leading position as innovator in colorful heirloom style vegetables and fresh berries,” said Jeff Sholl, co-chairman and co-founder of Colorful Harvest.
Source: Colorful Harvest