“The Produce Business in Salinas Valley and the Taylor Farms' Leadership Position Nationwide”

Bruce Taylor, Chairman and CEO, Taylor Farms

Taylor Farms is not only the largest fresh vegetable producer in Salinas Valley, it is by far the leading firm in the U.S., several times the size of its competitors. It has 19 plants around the country and 20,000 employees. Revenues are over $7 billion. Taylor will discuss the ever-changing agricultural business landscape in Salinas Valley, and the opportunities and challenges ahead. The competitive picture is changing and some firms are in difficulty, while his firm is gaining market share. His business is national in scope so he will detail the bigger picture as well. Bruce will also trace the history of his company from start-up to current day. All we ever notice is the workers in the fields as we drive along the highway. The produce business and Taylor Farms has a multitude of dimensions and aspects you never imagined. This will be highly informative and insightful.  Bruce is a good speaker and along with his AV videos and photos this will be engaging. Taylor rarely speaks to groups so this is fairly exclusive.

Bruce Taylor grew up in Salinas Valley and graduated from UC Berkeley and the Harvard Business School.  At Fresh Express he led the growth of its foodservice fresh cut salads and retail bagged produce sector. In1995 he and his financial partners established Taylor Fresh Foods and Taylor Farms. Its products are utilized by 160 million people in the U.S. each week. Taylor has 4 sons and is on the board of the Mission Produce and Western Growers Association. In the past he was Chairman of the International Fresh Produce Association and various other industry trade associations.