Fresh Venture Foods, LLC has officially initiated a bankruptcy process. The filing comes months after the company permanently closed its Santa Maria facility. Court filings also indicate a financial strain affecting the firm.
Note: A Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing is a legal process that allows a business to reorganize its debts, restructure obligations, and continue operating while working toward financial stability. Under Chapter 11, a debtor typically proposes a plan to repay creditors over time, subject to court approval. For additional information, readers are encouraged to contact the business directly.
Fresh Venture Foods, LLC Files for Chapter 11
PACER records show that the company submitted its petition on September 3, 2026. The records classify Fresh Venture Foods, LLC as a small business debtor.
Jeff Lundberg is the authorized representative who signed the petition prior to filing. Attorney William C. Beal of representing the company in court.
In May 2026, the company filed a permanent closure WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) notice with the California Employment Development Department (EDD). The closure affected 185 employees at the Santa Maria facility in Santa Barbara County.
Highlights from the Petition
Case records show that the company submitted a list of creditors with the largest unsecured claims. The total sum of these claims is over $6.5 million. These claims are based on trade debts, taxes, equipment and maintenance services, utility bills, and lease obligations.
Some unsecured creditors include Babe Farms, Inc., Central Coast Pallets, Northeast-Western Energy Systems US, Gold Coast Packing, Inc., PG&E, and Zee Company.
A summary of the Chapter 11 petition is shared here:
- Filing Date: September 3, 2026
- Court and Jurisdiction: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California
- Type of Filing: Active, Voluntary Petition
- Chapter: 11
- Case Number: 9:26-bk-11299-RC
- Estimated Assets: Between $0 and $50,000
- Estimated Liabilities: Between $1,000,001 and $10 million
- Estimated Creditors: Between 200 and 999
About the Company
Fresh Venture Foods, LLC is a produce-processing and shipping provider. It was established by Gold Coast Packing and Babé Farms. These two firms wanted to combine their processing operations through the new company.
The company website shows that it processes, packs, cools and ships items such as root vegetables. These are provided to food-service firms, restaurants, and retail businesses across the U.S.
The proceedings in the coming days can be crucial in how the company handles obligations towards the unsecured creditors.
