SALEM, ORE. — Oregon Cherry Growers, Inc., a grower-owned cooperative made up of nearly 60 family farmers located in the Willamette Valley and along the Columbia River Gorge, has acquired Gervais, Ore.-based Bell Foods International’s cherry operations. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Oregon Cherry Growers said the acquisition is part of an overall managed growth strategy for the company. Craig Bell, founder and president of Bell Foods International, will join Oregon Cherry Growers in an advisory role. Bell Foods will continue to produce and co-pack several non-cherry products.
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| Tim Ramsey, president and c.e.o. of Oregon Cherry Growers |
“Acquiring the cherry operations of Bell Foods International supports our effort to supply our customers with the highest-quality maraschino cherries made with locally-grown fruit,” said Tim Ramsey, president and chief executive officer of Oregon Cherry Growers. “Craig is a respected grower and cherry processor, and we are happy he will be working with us in an advisement role.”
Mr. Bell said the consolidation of Bell Foods’ cherry operations with Oregon Cherry Growers will be beneficial for the company’s customers looking for larger supplies of top-quality fruit, as well as for its growers.
