Lipman Family Farms remembers its former CEO, Larry Lipman

IMMOKALEE, Fla. (March 26, 2026) – It is with heavy hearts that Lipman Family Farms BB #:110471 shares the loss of its former Chief Executive Officer and longtime board Chairman, Larry Lipman.

He passed away on Sunday, March 22, 2026.

Larry, affectionately known by employees as Uncle Larry, was a revolutionary in the tomato industry. Over more than five decades at Lipman Family Farms, he helped to grow the company from a regional tomato grower to a North American leader in tomato and vegetable production and packing.

Larry understood the produce business deeply because he lived it deeply. He held numerous roles across Lipman, beginning as a shipping manager in 1970, until his ascension to CEO. He loved the work, the people and building a business to last.

As CEO, Larry guided Lipman through two decades of growth from a tomato and vegetable grower into a vertically integrated produce service provider. He oversaw the development of Lipman’s value-added division, investing in the company’s first repacking and distribution business in 1994. Today Lipman is the largest tomato and vegetable re-packer in the country.

Larry also had the vision to create Lipman’s Research & Development lab. Today, 95% of Lipman’s field tomato seeds are developed in-house, including its award-winning Crimson variety.

Throughout his career, Larry never lost his focus on doing good for people and communities connected to the business. He understood that Lipman creates more than jobs; it nurtures families and strengthens livelihoods.  He enthusiastically engaged with his community, supporting services and organizations that brought opportunities to local children and families.

That support included helping establish the Lipman library at the Guadalupe Center, investing in Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA) and backing its charter school program. His commitment to literacy and education reached young people from elementary school to college, through the My First Book program and textbook reimbursements for college students. He also helped establish Lipman Scholarships that have provided tuition help for more than 150 students in Immokalee, FL.

Larry’s industry leadership extended well beyond Lipman Family Farms. He served the industry through the Florida Tomato Committee, where he served as a Vice Chairman and Secretary. He also served as President of the Florida Growers Exchange. In everything he took on, his focus remained on family, hard work, humility and caring for others. His legacy is embedded in Lipman’s culture and its foundational commitment to being Good from the Ground Up.

“Larry dedicated his life to the business,” said Elyse Lipman, CEO of Lipman Family Farms and Larry’s cousin. “His impact on Lipman Family Farms is immeasurable. He helped build not just a business, but an enduring foundation that continues to guide us today. For Larry, it was always simple: the business was family. He loved this company and its people dearly.”

Larry Lipman will be greatly missed. Lipman Family Farms extends deep condolences to the Lipman family and Larry’s many friends and colleagues.

ABOUT LIPMAN FAMILY FARMS

By creating authentic connections between our employees, customers, and communities for 75 years, Lipman Family Farms has become one of the nation’s largest integrated networks of growers, fresh-cut processors, and distributors of fresh produce. We pride ourselves in being an international company that remains family-owned, ensuring our ability to act as good stewards of our land and our people, creating growth that nourishes everyone. We are large enough to be local everywhere and are dedicated to being good from the ground up, providing solutions in research & development, field growing, greenhouse growing, procuring, packing, repacking, fresh-cut processing, distributing, food safety, and culinary development. Learn more at LipmanFamilyFarms.com.

Contact:

Morgan Stuckert

Lipman Family Farms

239-641-0088

Morgan.Stuckert@lipmanfamilyfarms.com