Naturipe Farms celebrated its one hundred year anniversary with the growers and staff of one of the company’s partner-owners, Naturipe Berry Growers (NBG), on Friday, May 5.

The festivities were held at the Naturipe headquarters in Salinas, Calif., and included live mariachi music, a Naturipe branded semi-truck, and a presentation of proclamations from Western Growers Association and the Office of Senator Anthony Cannella, of which NBG President Rich Amersehhi accepted on behalf of the company.

“It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to congratulate Naturipe for having reached 100 years – and doing so with pride for what they do, passion and integrity,” said Tom Nunez, board representative of the Western Growers Association, who presented Amersehhi with a proclamation.

“This is one of several celebrations Naturipe Farms will host in honor of the company’s centennial year,” said Kyla Oberman, Naturipe’s director of marketing. “We have appreciation events planned during key trade and industry events throughout the year as way to pay tribute to our growers, and thank those who have helped Naturipe reach this milestone.”

In 1917 Central California area growers formed a marketing cooperative, called the Central California Berry Grower Association, and marketed their strawberries using the Naturipe trademark. Today, Naturipe Farms is a partnership between four highly esteemed fresh berry growers: Naturipe Berry Growers, Hortifrut SA, MBG Marketing, and Munger Farms.

Naturipe is focused on building collaborative relationships where trust, communication, responsiveness and teamwork with individual growers, customers, consumers, employees, and communities are critical to their past, present and future success.