Agriculture began in the valley in the late 1700's with wheat and grain. In the mid-1800s's cattle grazing became a major industry in the valley. But in the late 1800's the advent of irrigation paved the way for growing lettuce, sugar beets and other vegetable crops in the valley. Between the rich soil and the valley's Mediterranean-like climate, the Salinas Valley quickly became ideal for year-round farming.
In 1926, Bruce Church, the forefather of Fresh Express, started his agricultural career in the Salinas Valley, He was an innovator from the start, developing projects and partnerships to improve seed development, new farming practices and transporting produce, to name just a few. Our passion for growing the most flavorful fresh lettuce began here.