Immokalee, Florida-based Lipman Family Farms – an integrated network of growers, fresh-cut processors and distributors of produce – has acquired Northeast Produce, marking its 12th acquisition over the last 20 years.
The Northeast Produce facility in Plainville, Connecticut, will continue to operate and serve customers under the Lipman umbrella.
“We are thrilled to welcome Northeast Produce into our Lipman family,” said Elyse Lipman, CEO of Lipman Family Farms.
“This acquisition represents our growth-focused strategy, allowing us to better serve our customers by providing high-quality fresh produce across an expanded geographical area.
“With the global population now more than eight billion, the demand for fresh produce will continue to grow. The best we can do as suppliers of fresh vegetables is to meet the moment, invest in services, infrastructure,and partnerships that can make produce available and safe for everyone across our network.
“We need to make sure that we’re growing in a way that makes produce accessible, affordable, and attainable for generations to come.”
As Lipman Family Farms continues to evolve and expand, special attention is being given to ensuring a smooth and integrated transition of company cultures. It aims to combine the strengths of both organizations to create a unified entity.
“We’re honored to be working with an organization such as Lipman Family Farms,” said Mike Melninkaitis, a former owner of Northeast Produce.
“Our companies’ cultural alignment and shared vision has us excited for the future as one team.”
Melninkaitis will be taking on the role as business development manager for Lipman in the Northeast.
His fellow former owner, Joe Ruffini, will continue to manage the sales out of the Plainville facility.
“This new venture allows us to strengthen our relationships with our customers and bolsters Northeast Produce’s strong roots in quality and service,” Ruffini said.
About Lipman Family Farms
By creating connections between its employees, customers and communities for more than 75 years, Lipman Family Farms has become one of the nation’s largest integrated networks of growers, fresh-cut processors and distributors of fresh produce.
Read more produce news from The Shelby Report.
