History of Fowler Packing Company

Fowler Packing Company was established in 1950 by Sam Parnagian, and through the years has grown and expanded under the active management of Sam’s four sons and other family members. Today, Fowler Packing is one of the largest shippers in the fresh produce business, handling over 8 million boxes of stone fruit, table grapes, and mandarins. More than two-thirds of the fruit is owned and farmed by the Parnagian Family, with the balance coming from experienced and dedicated growers closely associated with the business.

Vision of Opportunity

Sam Parnagian saw a vision of opportunity in the produce business and possessed all the attributes necessary to implement his goals. His desire and reputation for shipping top-quality fruit and servicing his customers enabled the company to grow from handling a single grower’s fruit, to representing a number of different growers. Sam was always trying to find ways to deliver a better product and pioneered several major advances in western fruit packing: Hydrocooling, innovative packaging, and shipping “tree ripe” fruit.

“Sam Parnagian’s family suffered a personal tragedy in 1980 when he passed away, but his efforts to set the stage for a growing family business had been accomplished.”