AIM | 30 March 2026Taylor Farms acquires Equinox Growers, the largest greenhouse in the US Mid-Atlantic Region
Lynda Kiernan-Stone
Founded in 1995 by Bruce Taylor and his partners, Taylor Farms is the leading global producer of salads and healthy fresh foods with production facilities across 14 U.S. states., Mexico, Canada, Spain, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Italy, along with 280 independent family-owned growing partners.
Expanding these interests, the company announced it has acquired Equinox Growers, a state-of-the-art greenhouse operation growing leafy greens in Louisa, Virginia, from Generate Capital.
This deal gives Taylor Farms control of the largest commercial greenhouse in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S., leveraging cutting-edge technology to grow a wide range of greens.
The operation will be managed by the Equinox Growers’ team while it undergoes the process of being fully integrated into Taylor Farms’ product portfolio and cold chain logistics network. Once completed, this integration will result in a combined scale able to improve product freshness and make locally grown greens more accessible to consumers throughout the Eastern U.S.
“We’re incredibly proud of the hard work our team has put into developing this facility and creating an operation that is truly worthy of a partner like Taylor Farms,” said John McMahon, president, Equinox Growers.
“Seeing Taylor Farms’ strong commitment to the CEA space is both energizing and inspiring, and we’re delighted to support their vision.”
Additionally, the acquisition of Equinox Growers strengthens Taylor Farms’ standing in the CEA lettuce sector – one of the fastest growing categories in packaged salads, growing at approximately 25 percent year-on-year amid dynamic momentum and consumer resonance.
“Retailers and consumers alike are increasingly seeking long-term, reliable access to greenhouse grown produce,” said T. Bruce Taylor, senior vice president, marketing and product, Taylor Farms.
“We’re taking a major step forward into controlled-environment agriculture as this acquisition allows us to continue diversifying our raw product supply—both in geography and growing method—while meeting the rising demand for high-quality greenhouse-grown salads.”
A Fresh Start
Only three full months into 2026, and Taylor Farms is already having an eventful year.
Just a matter of months prior to the Equinox Growers acquisition, Taylor Fresh Foods, the parent company of Taylor Farms, made an intriguing investment of $10 million to acquire a 16.3 percent stake in Pacific Valley Bank, giving the company a significant minority position in a long-standing, family-owned banking operation in California’s Salinas Valley.
Founded in 2004 with an initial branch in Salinas, Pacific Valley Bank has grown organically to now operate full-service branches in Monterey, King City, and Santa Cruz, while remaining the only locally owned bank headquartered in Monterey County.
The company explained that the investment is a reflection of a shared focus between the bank and Taylor Farms on serving small and medium-sized businesses, agricultural enterprises, nonprofits, and individuals throughout Monterey County and the Central Coast region of the state.
However, Taylor Farms also stands to benefit from such an investment by creating a more stable local financing ecosystem, especially for smaller local growers in need of credit. It also provides the company with first-hand knowledge on the status of the local economy and the ability to mitigate risks to a certain extent.
“Pacific Valley Bank has demonstrated a disciplined approach to growth while remaining focused on its core markets,” said Jeff Cook, chief financial officer, Taylor Farms.
“The bank’s track record and strategic plans for measured expansion align well with Taylor Farms’ long-term investment strategies.”
