Seattle produce company buys Muir Farms

Seattle-based Charlie’s Produce, an employee-owned independent produce company serving the West Coast since 1978, has acquired Muir Copper Canyon Farms of Salt Lake City. Muir is a fresh produce and food products distributor. The sale closed in September and no financial details were released. The acquisition extends Charlie’s Produce’s network to seven distribution centers throughout the West.

“We are excited about the transition to Charlie’s Produce and to combine with a respected company that aligns with our values and standards when it comes to fresh food distribution,” said Phil Muir, owner of Muir Copper Canyon Farms. “Charlie’s Produce will be able to provide us with a more efficient warehouse management and logistics system, as well as enhanced services and products to customers.”

Muir Copper Canyon Farms was founded by William S. Muir and has provided its products to local merchants, restaurants and consumers over five generations of the Muir family. 

“We could not have been more fortunate to acquire a produce distributor who is also passionate about produce, their employees and the success of our customer and partners,” said J.V. Travers, chief operations officer of Charlie’s Produce. “We’re ecstatic about the opportunity to expand our footprint and distribution network and we have a great team of people who are highly customer-centric and dedicated in their roles and responsibilities.”

With this transition, Muir will gain greater purchasing power for local, regional and national products, as well as bring in new ones, Muir said. “Charlie’s can also provide a deep personnel force and offer Muir the opportunity to expand retail capability and allow employees to build equity, which is a great thing,” he said.

Over the past five years, Charlie’s Produce has expanded rapidly through increased services, produce processing, geographic extension and acquisition. The company opened a new distribution center in Los Angeles in 2015, entered the Boise market in 2017 through the purchase of Northwest Produce and added Better Life Organics sales and distribution into its Los Angeles division in 2019. It also has distribution centers in Anchorage; Portland; and Spokane, Washington.