Company History

1886  - First use of the Del Monte name on a food product.  Del Monte coffee premieres as a premium blend of coffee packaged for the prestigious Hotel Del Monte in Monterey, CA.

1909 – Del Monte shield makes it first appearance on a can label.

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

1929 – With prices plummeting and overflowing warehouses, CalPak is forced to tighten its belt. Always a premium quality product, Del Monte® advertising takes advantage of the many low-cost brands on the market and focuses on the value of dependable quality.

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

1955 – Del Monte Pineapple Grapefruit drink is introduced.  Del Monte Stewed Tomatoes – a new product inspired by the recipe of an employee’s mother – becomes an instant classic.

1967 – Long known for its favorite brand, CalPak changes its name to Del Monte Corporation.

1968 – Del Monte Corporation acquires West Indies Tropical Fruit Company of Coral Gables, FL.

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.

1989 – Del Monte Corporation divides into two separate entities; Del Monte Tropical Fruit and Del Monte Foods.

1993 –A new owner of Del Monte Tropical Fruit changes name to Fresh Del Monte Produce.

1996 – Current owners acquire Fresh Del Monte Produce.

• Introduced the first new pineapple variety in more than 15 years, the Del Monte Gold^TM  Extra Sweet     pineapple.
• Began expansion of melon program.
•  Further diversified distribution capabilities by adding new distribution centers in key markets, adding additional value-added services to customers. 

1997 – Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. goes public on the NYSE trading as (FDP)

1999 – Acquired a regional Fresh-cut supplier in Illinois and the value-added, Fresh-cut products category in North America.

• Expanded sourcing locations to new regions of the world.
• Achieved several landmark International Standards organization (ISO) certifications in pineapple and banana operations in Central America.

2000 – Achieved ISO-9002 certification for quality management systems in Philippines operation.

• Acquired a major fresh-cut produce supplier in Portland, OR., and a vegetable processor in Atlanta, GA.
• Launched consumer-oriented corporate web site, located at www.freshdelmonte.com.

2001 – Built on the success of Del Monte Gold™ Extra Sweet pineapple introduced the Del Monte Hawaii™ Gold, a premium pineapple in 11 western states, western Canada and Japan.

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.

• Acquired 100% ownership in Envases Industriales de Costa Rica S.A. (ENVACO)
• Acquired Expans Sp. 2.0.0. a Poland-based distributor of fresh fruit and vegetables.
• Acquired Country Best Produce, a leading U.S. East Coast processor and packager.

2004 – Acquired a nationally- recognized refrigerated trucking operation based in Fargo, ND. Acquired Del Monte Foods Europe, a leading producer and distributor of prepared fruit, vegetables and beverages in Europe, Middle East and Africa.