Del Monte Fresh history

By 1892, the Del Monte brand was introduced when the firm expanded its business and selected Del Monte as the brand name for its new line of canned peaches.

In 1898, the California Fruit Canners Association (CFCA) formed when 18 West Coast canning companies merged.

In 1899 the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company was incorporated, with Reynolds as president.

It introduced the Del Monte Shield in 1909.

In 1916 CFCA drew in two more canners and a food brokerage house, incorporated itself as California Packing Corporation, or Calpak, and began marketing its products under the Del Monte brand.

1920 California Packing Corporation (CalPak) establishes stringent quality specifications for its premium brand, Del Monte®. Early ads assure customers “Not a label, but a guarantee.”

1929 With prices plummeting and overflowing warehouses, CalPak is forced to tighten its belt.

1942 A persistent focus on quality helps lift CalPak out of a crunch.

1955 Del Monte® Pineapple Grapefruit drink is introduced.

These multinational operations made the name California Packing Corporation obsolete, and in 1967 the name Del Monte Corporation was adopted.

In 1968, Del Monte Corporation acquires the West Indies Tropical Fruit Company of Coral Gables, Florida.

In 1972, Del Monte became the first major US food processor to voluntarily adopt nutritional labeling on all its food products, an innovation that made headlines throughout the country and applauded by government officials as a breakthrough in consumer education.

1973 Del Monte Corporation becomes first major food processor in the United States to include nutrition labels on its products.

1979 Del Monte Corporation shareholders agree to a merger with R. J. Reynolds Industries.

In 1989, Del Monte Corporation divides into two separate entities: Del Monte Tropical Fruit and Del Monte Foods.

In 1993, Del Monte Tropical Fruit changes its name to Fresh Del Monte Produce N.V.

In 1996, the Del Monte Gold® Extra Sweet Pineapple was introduced, becoming an instant hit.

Investor group Texas Pacific Group acquired the company in 1997.

1998 Acquired several subsidiaries from its parent company IAT Group Inc. which were engaged primarily in the production, transportation, distribution and marketing of deciduous fruit and other fresh produce worldwide.

Del Monte acquired the worldwide rights to the SunFresh brand, a brand of premium citrus and tropical fruits, in 2000.

2002 Acquired assets of U.K. based Fisher Foods Limited’s chilled division, expanding growth in the fresh cut category.

2003 Acquired Standard Fruit and Vegetable Co., Inc., a Dallas based distributor of fresh fruit and vegetables.

2004 Acquired Del Monte Foods Europe, a leading producer and distributor of prepared fruit, vegetables and beverages in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Countries formerly part of the Soviet Union.

The company sold its Soup and Infant Feeding business in April 2006 to TreeHouse Foods, Inc.

In June 2008, Del Monte announced the sale of its seafood division, StarKist, to South Korea-based Dongwon Enterprise Company.

In March 2011, the company was acquired by a group of private equity investors led by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts in a deal worth $5.3 billion.”

2013 Acquired agricultural production land, packing houses and farm equipment in Florida and Virginia.