Our Company Today

Faribault Foods and Arizona Canning Company combined in 2014 under our parent company, La Costeña USA. Today, Faribault Foods and Arizona Canning Company operate as a unified company under the name Faribault Foods, offering an extensive portfolio of premium food products. Our multiple locations enable us to source the best ingredients and transport our products more efficiently.

Our Vision

Our vision is to be a leading, high-quality food company that provides the greatest customer satisfaction through products and services based on the development of highly skilled, committed personnel and the use of cutting edge technology to create new products.

Our Values

Respect • Integrity • Honesty • Equity & Justice • Loyalty • Responsibility

La Costeña logo and Faribault Foods logo

Our History

1888

Two stacked old-timey photos Faribault Canning & Preserving Company is incorporated by local Faribault investors. Unfortunately, in the first several years, the fledgling company lacks strong leadership, financing and proper equipment.

1895

Group of people standing in front of small buildings Ten local farmers buy-out the struggling original investors and re-incorporate as Faribault Canning Company. By 1990, an average of 350,000 cans of corn are packed per season.

1903

Two cans overlaying a building on fire Faribault Canning Company expands their facility, doubling capacity to an expected output of 1.5 million cans. But a fire in 1904 burns the factory down, and the owners scramble to get new equipment in time for the year's corn pack.

1916

Old-timey picture of a man sitting on a chair Faribault Canning Company is bought by the Douthitt family, and in 1917 part ownership is sold to food broker Charles Vandever. Douthitts continue to manage the operations.

1923

A close-up of a man holding chilies on the vine La Costeña was founded in Mexico by Don Vicente López Resines. After purchasing a convenience store called La Costeña, he began producing Serrano and largo chilies in vinegar in glass jars and sold them under the same name.

1932

Group of four people standing Albert Vandever (son of Charles) becomes President of Faribault Canning Company, eventually buys 100% ownership, and guides the company through depression, dust bowl & WWII.

1937

3 cans on a white surface La Costeña begins self-manufacturing cans.

1940

Single can of peas Faribault Canning Company introduces pea production, specializing in Vandever brand Petit Pois.

1943–1945

Small group of people posing for picture Faribault Canning Company is commissioned as German Prisoner of war camp by the US government.

1947

A man and woman smiling Edmund MacDonald (son-in-law of Albert Vandever) joins Faribault Canning Company's Board of Directors.

1948

Digital illustration of a production plant La Costeña opened the first production plant in Mexico City with an area of 5,000 square meters (53,820 sq ft).

1950

Two cans overlaying woman working at a machine Faribault Foods acquires 50% interest in the Butter Kernel brand. New semi-automated corn huskers and cutters are installed, boosting production.

1951

Digital image of a man using a machine La Costeña attained its first automatic production line to manufacture 3-kilogram cans. Soon after, it expanded automatic production with a 105-gram can line.

1968

La Costeña Expansion logo La Costeña expands their facility to 180,000 square meters (1,938,000 sq ft). Only 10% is used for production at the time, and the remainder built for future expansions needs.

1969

Two men talking Faribault Foods purchases Northland Canning in Cokato, MN.

1971

Sunrise with water tower in foreground La Costeña relocates to a 250,000 square meter (2,691,000 square foot) facility in Tulpetlac, Mexico.

1972

Truck next to Faribault sign Faribault Foods acquires remaining 50% of Butter Kernel brand and pitches to new accounts in new markets and products.

1973

Grocery store aisle La Costeña establishes a relationship with the most important grocery chains in Mexico, securing significant market share.

1975

Outline of US map overlayed by chili peppers La Costeña begins exporting chili peppers and sauces to the U.S.

1976

Four olives on a white surface La Costeña starts production of tomato paste and olives

1977

Men working on a product line Faribault Foods acquires Durand Canning Co. in Mondovi, WI and adds green and wax beans to Faribault's product line.

1979

Building being constructed New plant constructed in Faribault, MN increases production and adds year-round production capability.

1983

Two cans of food Faribault Foods acquires the Kuner-Empson of Colorado Company, thereby acquiring the Kuner's brand (leading brand in the Rocky Mountains) and expanding product line to dry beans.

1986

Can of food overlaying recycling logo La Costeña introduces innovative can sealing technology that uses pressure sealing and eliminates the need for any external elements, thereby improving the recyclability of the cans.

1987

Can of beans Faribault Foods acquires Beaver Valley Canning company and its Mrs. Grimes brand. In 1988, Faribault Foods acquires Pride of Illinois vegetables from Pillsbury.

1988

A group of cans and other food products La Costeña brand begins development and positioning in the Mexican market with the start of its first advertising campaign.

1990

A group of people standing in the grass holding shovels in front of a construction machine New warehouse and packaging/distribution center are built at Industrial Park in Faribault, MN.

1991

A pile of vegetables in front of a can of food La Costeña's new production plant in Guasave, Mexico opens to produce tomato puree, vegetables and more.

1994

A can of food overlaying a man using a production machine Major expansion takes place at the Cokato, MN plant, and a new canned pasta production line for private labels begins at Faribault Foods.

1994

Can of food La Costeña launches its line of beans in the U.S.

1997

A pile of vegetables in front of a can of food La Costeña opens a new manufacturing plant in San Luis Potosi, Mexico that produces chiles, fruits and dry beans, making La Costeña the largest can foods manufacturer in Mexico. "Easy-open" can lids as well as new aseptic manufacturing methods are introduced.

1999

Two cans of food overalying a man and woman smiling Faribault Foods acquires 50% of Shariann's organics and launches organic soup line at Cokato, MN.

2000

Can of food overalying a man scooping a cup of soup out of a vat Faribault Foods begins producing Wolfgang Puck organic soups for Country Gourmet Foods, and becomes the largest producer of organic soups in the country.

2000

A box of food La Costeña launches a new line of marinades, called Doña Chonita, featuring traditional Mexican flavors. A line of mayonnaise also launches.

2001

Two cans of food Faribault Foods acquires Sun Vista brand and creates Kuner's Southwestern line extension.

2002

Two cans of food Faribault Foods expands dry beans into baked bean production for Kuner's, Mrs. Grimes, and store-brand customers.

2003

Two cans of food Faribault Foods shifts focus to year-round production of dry beans, pasta, soups, and chili. The company ceases vegetable production, with the exception of corn for Butter Kernel, Kuner's, and Pride.

2003

International Organization for Standardization logo La Costeña is certified ISO 9001

2003

Three cans Faribault Foods acquires Chilli Man brand and production in Milnot, IL.

2005

A pouch of juice overlaying a label machine Faribault Foods acquires juice pouch business from SoftPac Industries in Elk River, MN, and becomes leading private label in the category.

2005

BRC Global Standards logo Construction of Automated Distribution Center begins in Ecatepec, Mexico, which opened in 2007. La Costeña obtains BRC Certification.

2006

Teacher in front of class of kids La Costeña builds the village of Villa San Jose with the goal of giving their workers quality living conditions. The first school opens in 2008 and in 2010, a library, church, dining hall, tortilleria, grocery store are added.

2006

Three cans of food Faribault Foods acquires license to produce and market S&W Beans from Del Monte Foods.

2006

Arizona Canning Company logo La Costeña purchases the Slim Fast plant located in Tucson, Arizona, and established Arizona Canning Company.

2007

Two cans of food Arizona Canning Company acquires the Sun Vista brand of beans and sauces from Faribault Foods.

2010

Three cans of food Arizona Canning Company acquires Luck’s brand of beans, chicken and dumplings, and apples from ConAgra Foods.

2011

Three cans of food Faribault Foods acquires license for KC Masterpiece baked beans from Clorox and launches new Baked Bean items.

2013

Two pouches of food Faribault Foods adds retort pouch capability to Cokato, MN facility.

2013

Three cans of juice Arizona Canning acquires Kern's nectar brand from Stremicks Heritage Foods.

2014

Faribault Foods and Arizona Canning Company logos Arizona Canning and Faribault Foods merge under La Costeña.

2016

Digital image of a production plant Construction begins on a new plant in Faribault, MN. The plant will include faster and more efficient production lines, as well as a can-making line. The expansion will increase the size of the entire complex to nearly 1 million square feet.

2016

Pouch of juice Sold beverage manufacturing facility in Elk River, MN to Harvest Hill Beverage Company.

2017

Faribault Foods logo in front of a digital rendering of a manufacturing plant Completed construction and opened the manufacturing plant in Faribault, MN. The new facility combined three previously separate Faribault facilities into one operation, including can manufacturing, canning, labeling, storage and distribution.

2019

Four groups of three cans As a leader in innovation, brought record-breaking number of new items to market, including over 15 new branded items, plus numerous custom-developed private label and co-manufactured items.

Sustainability

As a family-owned business, sustainability has always been a core value for Faribault Foods. We are committed to supporting and enhancing the communities where we and our customers live and work. We continually invest in new and more efficient equipment to reduce water and energy usage in our plants and emphasize responsible waste disposal.