Expansion is afoot for one California specialty maker. Traina Foods announced its acquisition of Martin Farms, a kindred spirit in the art of sun-drying tomatoes. The company is also ushering in the next generation of Trainas to the helm.
"At Traina Foods, we're not just in the business of dried fruit—we're in the business of quality," said Willie Traina, Owner. "Bringing Martin Farms into our family and the next generation of Trainas into the operation isn't just about growth; it's about preserving a traditional craft that's been perfected under the California sun for generations."
Joe and Josephine Martin, the founders of Martin Farms in Patterson, California, have built a legacy of quality and innovation in the sun-dried tomato industry. After many suitors, the Martins chose to pass the torch to Traina Foods. Their decision was driven by deep-rooted trust and shared values with Willie Traina, a press release stated.
"Our acquisition of Martin Farms allows us to double down on our commitment to sustainability and excellence," Traina said. "We are excited to expand our position as the world's largest producer of California sun-dried tomatoes."
Traina Foods is now poised to expand its sun-dried tomato offerings. Sun-dried tomatoes continue to gain popularity across generations, finding their way into a variety of culinary applications from gourmet dishes to everyday snacks. Traina Foods’ practices preserve the flavor and nutrient content of the fruit, yielding a superior product. Dehydration uses higher heat, drying fruit much faster and with less labor than sun drying, but cannot approach the distinctive quality of sun-dried fruit.
Grandsons of company Founders Joe and Maria Traina and sons of Willie Traina, Angelo (procurement) and Justin (production planning, scheduling, and financial analysis) were both drawn back to their roots. Both brothers spent summers working in the orchards, packing cherries and apricots. When they went away to college in the Bay Area, they were surprised by how fascinated their classmates seemed to be with the sun-dried fruit world that was just everyday life to them.
For more from the press release, click here.
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