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Category Archive: News

1. Taylor Farms Partners with Labor of Love to Surprise Crews in Yuma

   June 3, 2020 11:38 pm

   Yesterday, we teamed up with “Labor of Love,” a program that gives thanks to the farming community, to surprise nearly 30 members of our automated celery harvester and automated cabbage harvester crews in Yuma, AZ with breakfast, coffee, gift bags filled with $25 Wal-Mart gift cards, new gloves, and handwritten Thank You notes.

   

   Celery Harvester Crew

   

   When asked about the day’s surprise, Juan Luis Ramos, automated cabbage operator, Taylor Farms, said, “We are motivated to do better work. I like working at Taylor Farms because it is a good team. Everyone is united and very caring.”

   

   Taylor Farms team members in front of an automated cabbage harvester: Chris Rotticci, Juan Luis Ramos, and Christina Barnard

   

   Last August, the Yuma-based “Labor of Love” brought the program to Salinas, CA and we were able to recognize our team members there.

   “At Taylor Farms we don’t have employees, we have family members,” said Christina Barnard, director of marketing at Taylor Farms. “And we pride ourselves on taking care of one another. With a family culture being our foundation, it is essential that we show appreciation and support to team members across the company.”

   

   Celery Harvester Members

   

   Celery Harvester Members

   It is because of our team members’ dedication that we are able to deliver the best quality fresh food products everyday, and partnering with Labor of Love is a terrific way recognize all of their hard work. Watch the below video highlighting the day’s events:

2. Taylor Farms New Jersey Awards College Scholarships To Children of Employees

   11:07 pm

   It’s graduation season, and like the previous nine years, Taylor Farms will once again award deserving students, who are children of active, full-time Taylor Farms employees, with scholarships to help advance their collegiate careers.

   Though we have been awarding scholarships since 2008, the Scholarship Program was formally developed in California in 2012, and this year Taylor Farms New Jersey adopted the program, in honor of our late employee David Zarrilli. David spent two and a half years as part of Team Taylor as Financial Controller where his wisdom and sense of humor had a tremendous impact on our company. Because of his love for helping others, it seems only fitting that we name this scholarship award after him.

   Much like the rest of Taylor Farms’ scholarships, the David Zarrilli Memorial Scholarship is geared towards four-year undergraduate university or graduate program students and is available to children of Taylor Farms New Jersey employees.

   

   From left: Anna-Marie Kolesinki, Taylor Farms New Jersey team member who works in the plant’s prepared foods department, Amber Kolesinki, 2017 scholarship recipient, Elivett Sanchez Ortiz, 2017 scholarship recipient, Elivett Ortiz Coll, Taylor Farms New Jersey team member who works in the commissary department, Jim Bryan, director of operations for Taylor Farms New Jersey, and Sheryl Zarrilli, wife of the late David Zarrilli

   An internal committee chose two promising students, who were each awarded a $6,250 scholarship:

   Elivett Sanchez Ortiz, whose mother Elivett Ortiz Coll works in New Jersey’s commissary department. She is headed to Temple University’s College of Science and Technology to pursue a degree in Biology.

   Amber Koleskinki, who will be attending Rowan University in the fall has aspiration to major in Elementary Education. Her mother, Anna-Marie Kolesinki, works in the New Jersey plant’s prepared foods department.

   To celebrate the scholarships, Taylor Farms hosted an onsite BBQ in New Jersey, where employees and their families came together for lunch while the winners were announced. Congratulations to Elivett, Amber, and their parents — this scholarship is so well-deserved!

   

   Here’s a short video from last year’s scholarship luncheon — and stay tuned for the winners of this year’s California scholarships coming up on June 16th!

3. Taylor Farms Makes a Big Impression At United Fresh Expo in Chicago

   June 2, 2020 6:52 pm

   Taylor Farms made a big splash at this year’s United Fresh Produce Association Expo, June 20-22 at McCormick Place in Chicago. At the event, we unveiled our latest salad innovation, participated in a major panel discussion, took home one major award and were a finalist for another of the organization’s most prestigious honors.

   We’re thrilled that David Offerdahl, Taylor Farms’ Director of Ag Engineering, Harvest Automation, received the FreshTech Achievement Award during the expo in recognition of his outstanding service in the field of technology and automated harvesting.  United Fresh said the award “honors an individual who has made significant technical contributions to the fresh produce industry.”

   

   David Offerdahl, Taylor Farms’ Director of Ag Engineering

    

   

   Taylor Farms Team at United Fresh Show Floor

   Every year, the United Fresh Expo Produce Association brings together companies across every segment of the fresh produce supply chain, including growers, shippers, fresh-cut processors, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, foodservice operators, industry suppliers and allied associations.

    

   

4. Taylor Farms Introduces New Home Fresh Side Kits at NYC Produce Show

   6:47 pm

   

    

   Team Taylor was at The New York Produce Show and Conference last week where we showcased our new Home Fresh Side Kits (available in stores soon!):

    

   Cheesy Cauliflower Mash

   Cauliflower Pearls, Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Smoky Bacon, Chives Spice Blend

   

   Soy Glazed Stir-Fried Cauliflower

   Cauliflower, Broccoli, Carrots, Green Onions, Sesame Soy Sauce, Roasted Cashews

   

   Garlic Roasted Shaved Brussels Sprouts

   Brussels Sprouts, Garlic Roasting Oil, Parmesan Cheese

   

   These new blends are versatile and high in nutritional value — ideal for consumers seeking quick and healthy substitutes for carbs (a New Year’s resolution, perhaps?) These kits can help consumers incorporate more vegetables in their diets, and are a great alternative for those practicing specialty diets. They’re also super convenient — everything you need to create the delicious side comes in one package!

   

   These new kits shown on the Produce Show are also a great solution for families. According to Mintel, 60% of parents say their top short-term family goal is getting their family to eat more healthy foods. Additionally, 25% of parents say it is difficult to get their children to eat vegetables. (Mintel “Vegetables Report” 2017)

   Keep an eye out for these new products in the new year!

    

5. Taylor Farms Hosts 2nd Annual Farmers Market for Tracy Youth

   6:07 pm

   Taylor Farms has twelve operating companies located throughout North America. Each company relentlessly focuses on delivering high quality, fresh, and healthy products to our customers every day, but another critical part of our mission is to enhance the communities where we live and work.

   Most recently, Taylor Farms Tracy teamed up with Lammersville Unified School District in Tracy, CA, to host the second annual Farmers Market for the districts K-8^th grade students. Elementary School students participated in a nutrition lesson, focusing on healthy eating choices taught by Taylor Farms volunteers.

   Students were also given the opportunity to shop at their school’s Farmers Market with “school bucks” to purchase from an array of fruits and veggies. We happily donated all of the fresh produce along with Taylor Farms reusable tote bags to carry home all their fresh picks!

   We congratulate the outstanding parent volunteers, staff, and the Wellness Committee from Lammersville Unified School District for dedicating their time to ensure a successful event. We look forward to next year’s Farmers Market and to continuing to promote healthy eating and lifestyles throughout the year.