Salinas is home to Tanimura & Antle, one of the largest independent lettuce growers in the United States. First established in 1982, Tanimura & Antle family members have been farming for a combined 150 years. Today, the company claims more than 30,000 acres of farmland in California, Arizona, Texas, and Tennessee, and ships fresh produce throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.
Tanimura & Antle’s team of visionary family members and employees believe in thinking outside of the box to find sustainable solutions for modern agriculture’s greatest challenges. In 2015, Brian Antle, Vice President of Tanimura & Antle, accepted the Forbes Ag Innovation Award for the introduction of Plant Tape, an automated transplanting system that maximizes efficiency in the production process. Brian first discovered Plant Tape at a conference in Berlin, and brought it to the U.S. to refine and perfect the technology on Tanimura & Antle farms.
Tanimura & Antle is committed to making a positive impact on Salinas’ community. In July 2016, the company opened Spreckels Crossing, a first-of-its-kind, on-site agricultural employee apartment complex that provides 800 farmworkers with a safe, comfortable housing option right on the Salinas-based Tanimura & Antle farm. Amenities include a gym, BBQ areas, 24-hour security, soccer and baseball fields, and an indoor sports arena.