Fruits Growers Supply
Fruit Growers Supply Company is an agricultural supply cooperative company that was established in 1907 by the Sunkist Growers. We are the oldest non-profit supply cooperative in the nation, and we have grown at record pace alongside the West Coast’s citrus production. Although we were created exclusively to help Sunkist, today we can help everyone in agriculture. We aren't just citrus either; we've also achieved an incredibly high level of satisfaction with growers and packers in commodities such as stone fruit, avocados, nuts, grapes, and row crops.
SUPPLYING THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FRUIT EXCHANGE
Before 1907, members of the Southern California Fruit Exchange (now Sunkist Growers) needed a steady supply of reasonably priced box shook (wooden slats) for their wooden shipping crates. Unfortunately, most of the box shook manufacturers were operating at unreasonably high prices with a chronically low supply. By joining forces in 1907, the Sunkist citrus growers created a separate agricultural supply company, Fruit Growers Supply Company, to buy and manage timberlands and mills, and to act as a purchasing agent for all of their supplies.
The introduction of a new competitor helped lower costs and increase access for producers throughout the region. When a cartel controlled the sale of a chemicals that were critical to citrus growth, we brought back an alternative from Africa, forcing the cartel into a more reasonably competitive position. When the industry needed instant access to supplies, we established six storefronts throughout California and Arizona. When growers needed the most sophisticated, highest quality cartons ever created, we answered the call by designing one of America’s most highly-automated and efficient integrated carton plants.
Our commitment to providing better choices for producers combined with our spirit of innovation helped Fruit Growers Supply Company blossom into one of the strongest agricultural supply cooperatives in the country, now serving producers throughout the West Coast and beyond.
