Mucci Farms Heads West Through New Partnership With Houweling’s
Photo courtesy of Mucci Farms
Mucci Farms has entered an exclusive marketing agreement with Houweling’s to market all produce grown in Houweling’s Camarillo, CA, facility under the Mucci Farms brand and trademarks. As part of the agreement, Mucci Farms will also be opening two new distribution centers in Camarillo and Delta, B.C.
“It’s an exciting day for us, as this establishes a presence for us out West. Partnering with the well-respected Houweling’s team gives us a strong starting point in the region as we look to expand our reach across the continent,” says Bert Mucci, CEO of Mucci Farms. “Houweling’s growing team lives up to their slogan of Mastery Under Glass, and we’re looking forward to bringing their premium product into the Mucci Group.”
The new partnership will benefit from the lifelong growing expertise of Bert Mucci and Casey Houweling, who are both second-generation growers with an immense passion to further the industry through advanced growing practices and world class innovation.
“We were looking for an exceptional marketing company that would meet the needs of what we grow and that can maximize the returns for quality produce. It was important to us that we chose a marketer who understands not only what it takes to market, but also understands what it takes to grow great quality produce,” says Casey Houweling, who will oversee the growing operation alongside his daughter, Monica Paulson. “We also focus heavily on growing in a sustainable manner by using waste energy, closed loop recycling systems and biological pest controls to minimize the impact on the planet.” Year-round production of a variety of tomatoes and cucumbers will start in mid-October.
The arrangement provides Mucci Farms with an expanded North American footprint, allowing the company to service national retailers coast-to-coast offering exciting opportunities to on-board new West Coast customers. With the company’s first 75-acre U.S. expansion in Huron, OH, complete, the partnership with Casey Houweling reinforces Mucci Farms’ commitment to strategically grow within the U.S. and establish a critical presence on the West Coast. This effort is further supported by the Company’s two new distribution centers in Michigan and Texas.
Houweling’s was originally founded in 1956 by Cornelius Houweling who began with a floral greenhouse and berry farm in Langley, BC. His son Casey joined the family business in 1976 and spearheaded growth and expansion, leading to U.S. expansion into California in 1996, making Houweling’s produce a premium source of high-quality vegetables in the region.
Growing fresh produce for more than 60 years, Mucci Farms is vertically integrated from seed to retail with a combined acreage of more than 2,000 acres that includes a global grower partner network. The award-winning company is dedicated to continual investments in automation and technology along with a high level of research and development to offer the most flavorful varieties in the world.
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