The Story of Del Monte
For more than a century, Del Monte has been a household staple in American kitchens. It’s safe to say that the company’s history and many colorful characters have kept the farming and food empires in business since its inception in 1886.
In 1874, railroads had just reached California and were the foundation of the formation of the Central Pacific Railroad. It was the beginning of California’s agricultural industry, but it was small time, mostly focused on hay for horse-feed. With the arrival of the railroad came hundreds of thousands of newcomers, some like the Del Monte brothers looking for land to farm.
The Del Monte Brothers, Paul, Lorenzo and Elija, decided to invest in Californias soil and as a result, worked to produce large tomato crops with the aid of other area farmers. Del Monte quickly became a household name in California, producing an abundance of tomatoes, asparagus, and potatoes, shipped fresh worldwide.
In the early days at Del Monte, operations revolved around the domestic production of canned fruits and vegetables. Lime, oranges and grapes were being shipped in Oregon, but other smaller crops were shipped to Galveston, Texas and New Orleans, Louisiana. Tomatoes were in short supply and as a result, the company came up with a revolutionary growing system that utilized a greenhouse structure. By the mid-1890s, the company had two large tomato canning factories in California and soon after, began to expand operations outside of the state.
In 1903, the company began promoting the brand across the country, enlisting the help of an advertising firm in Chicago to package and promote the company’s famous canned fruits and vegetables line. The company was also among the first to advertise directly to consumers using coupons and household tags. Before long, Del Monte was also shipping canned goods to parts of Europe and Asia, furthering its presence in the world market. During World War II, Del Monte supplied the United States government with canned fruits and vegetables for soldiers abroad.
Today, Del Monte is the number one global producer and marketer of packaged fruits and vegetables, as well as a leader in the production of fresh and frozen foods. Del Monte produces, distributes, and markets its products in over 90 countries worldwide. The company produces many of its celebrated products here in the United States, while other process foods like pineapples, papayas and other tropical fruits are produced and consumed in other parts of the world.
In 2018, the company celebrated 132 years of success and has become a trusted source of food in many homes. The company’s mission statement is truly inspirational: “Del Monte strives to inspire you every day with quality products, extraordinary flavors, and global connections to the food systems.” As the company continues to grow and expand, Del Monte is actively promoting and connecting with consumers from all walks of life.
Del Monte is a global leader in the production of food, not just because of its long history, but because its commitment to creating the highest quality canned, frozen, and packaged foods. Despite the complexities of the global food industry today, Del Monte remains an iconic brand that continues to stand the test of time. With more than a century of experience, this family-owned business continues to make food memories one meal at a time.
