Our Story
Premium Produce for Over 90 Years
Tanimura & Antle was officially established in 1982, but our roots run far deeper. The founding Tanimura and Antle families have been growing produce in the Salinas Valley for more than 90 years. Like the roots of a healthy, thriving plant, our story is grounded in strength and depth - shaped over decades by perseverance, loyalty, trust, and an enduring commitment to innovation.
Today, Tanimura & Antle farms thousands of acres and ships a full line of premium fresh produce throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. Our leadership team is made up of experienced industry professionals whose expertise spans research and development, harvesting, food safety, agricultural technology, and more - ensuring excellence at every stage, from the field to the table.
At our core, we are a family company. We believe our employee owners are an extension of that family and work hard to uphold the family‑first values established by the Tanimura and Antle families. In the last ten years, we’ve taken meaningful steps to support our people - investing in multiple employee housing community and extending partial ownership of the company to all employees.
We invite you to explore our timeline and see how Tanimura & Antle has grown into the company it is today - rooted in tradition, driven by innovation, and committed to the people who make it all possible.
1920s
The Tanimura family immigrates from Japan and starts to grow strawberries and iceberg lettuce in Castroville, CA.
The Antle family moves to California from Oklahoma and finds work with produce growers along the Sacramento River.
1930s
Following the death of his father Eijiro, George Tanimura drops out of school to begin running the family farm.
Charlie Tanimura begins to work alongside his brother George; iceberg lettuce becomes their crop of choice.
Lester Antle moves his family to Salinas, CA to get involved in the expanding iceberg lettuce industry.
Bud Antle later joins his father Lester as an iceberg trimmer and packer.
1940s
Charlie and his brother Johnny Tanimura serve in the U.S. Army during World War II.
The rest of the Tanimura family spends 3.5 years in a Japanese internment camp in Arizona.
After losing their farm during the war, in 1947 the Tanimuras start to rebuild with the purchase of 20 acres in Aromas, CA.
Bud and Lester Antle launch Bud Antle, Inc. in 1942 and begin supplying fresh lettuce overseas to feed soldiers.
1950s
George Tanimura and his brothers expand their land and begin to grow exclusively for Bud Antle, Inc.
Bud Antle maintains a 50/50 partnership with the Tanimura brothers (George, Charlie, Johnny, Tommy and Bobby).
Bob Antle graduates from Stanford University and begins working at Bud Antle, Inc.
1960s
The Tanimuras begin to grow celery, green onions, sweet anise and endive in addition to iceberg lettuce.
The Antle family creates the “Antle Process” to expand produce shelf life – through the process, a machine harvests trimmed lettuce heads wrapped in shrink wrap and vacuum cools them prior to shipment.
1970s
The Tanimura family expands their farmland to include Salinas, Watsonville and Huron and officially become Bud Antle, Inc.’s largest growers.
By 1971, the Antle family has become the largest marketer of premium iceberg lettuce in the United States with approximately 20,000 acres of crop.
The Tanimuras and Antles jointly establish the Salinas Transplant Company, a new greenhouse.
1980s
On November 10, 1982, the Tanimura & Antle brand is officially born!
That first day, the new label is used on 10,000 boxes of iceberg lettuce sold for $10 a box.
1990s
Tanimura & Antle acquires 1/3 interest in Earthbound Farm, the largest branded organic produce supplier, and converts 4,200 acres of farmland to organic production.
The company introduces Broccoflower (green cauliflower), making a colorful splash in the produce section.
2000's
Tanimura & Antle introduces shrink-wrapped leaf lettuces to improve shelf life and food safety.
The company is awarded Produce Industry Advocate of the Year by the United Fresh Produce Association in 2004.
Tanimura & Antle brings Artisan Lettuce to the market in 2009.
2010's
In 2010, the Community Foundation of Monterey County honors Bob and Sue Antle with the Distinguished Trustee Award for supporting charitable causes - the same year Tanimura & Antle hits the one-million-dollar mark in contributions to the American Cancer Society.
Tanimura & Antle introduces greenhouse grown lettuces.
In 2016, the Spreckels Crossing housing facility opens to house up to 800 employees.
In 2017, Tanimura & Antle launched an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, allowing employees to become partial owners of the company.
2020 - Today
Tanimura & Antle launched the HarvestSelect box to support customers in the USDA Food to Families program. The box contained nine assorted premium fresh produce items and a recipe card.
The Livingston, Tennessee Greenhouse facility expands its family product offering to include mini romaine and green leaf.
The company refreshes their product family branding to align with consumer preferences, market data and to create brand consistency through the family lines.
A ribbon cutting ceremony is held for the completion of La Mesa Ridge; the company's next step in providing safe, affordable housing in Yuma, Arizona.