Our Story - Green Giant UK (2024)

Our Story - Green Giant UK (1)

It all started in 1903, when a small canned vegetable company was born in the United States – the Minnesota Valley Canning Company. The Green Giant made his first appearance in 1925. He was named after a particularly large variety of pea harvested and sold by the company.Through the years, he evolved into a friendlier—and greener—character, known for presiding over the vegetables grown in his valley with a deep “Ho, Ho, Ho!”. In 1950, he became the iconic symbol for the company, when the Minnesota Valley Company became the Green Giant Company. He arrived in the United Kingdom in 1960, bringing his delicious vegetables with him.

With his famous catch phrase, the Green Giant inspires kids and grown ups alike to eat more vegetables – helping them to achieve their 5-a-day…

Our Story - Green Giant UK (2)

GREEN GIANT AND SUSTAINABILITY

The Green Giant wants to bring his tasty vegetable goodness to everybody for generations to come, which is why he grows all his produce as sustainably as possible. From seed to kernel, new ideas and practices are constantly being introduced to keep all the vegetables just the way the Green Giant likes them – Green!

The Green Giant Circle of Goodness illustrates how sustainability is built into every phase of our business from the growing of sweet corn, to our energy-efficient processing plant, to giving back to the community.

Examples
All the fields where Green Giant sweet corn is grown are within 170km of the factory, minimising travel as much as possible.100% of the corn husks and cobs go back to farmers to be used as cattle food.All sweet corn and specialities packaging is recyclable: this includes cans, jars, carton trays, labels and shrinkwraps. The cans are made of 56% recycled steel and the jars of 60% recycled glass.

OUR SEED PLATE STORY

From the SeedGreen Giant has been growing vegetables for over a century. Sweet corn is at the heart of the Green Giant, and one of his favourite vegetables to grow. Our sweet corn varieties are carefully selected to be juicy, crisp and delicious.

To the Farm

In the perfect growing conditions of Southwest France, a co-operative of farmers take great pride in caring for the vegetables they grow, and the Giant Valley they grow them in. Years of experience allows us to predict when the sweet corn will reach its optimal stage of ripeness, so it can be harvested when it’s at its best.

To your Plate

Green Giant sweet corn is picked at the peak of perfection, then packed in less than 24 hours, so it reaches you at its best.

  • Gently steamed in the can
  • 5-a-Day goodness locked in
  • Packed using a vacuum technique to ensure your sweet corn reaches you full of flavour

STEAM LOCKED GOODNESS

What does steam locked goodness mean?The Green Giant carefully steams his sweet corn in the can, so it stays crisp and juicy. 80g of Green Giant sweet corn counts as 1 of your 5 a day – so it really is “steam locked goodness”.

How does the steaming process work?

The sweet corn is harvested just as it reaches maturity, then packed within 24 hours. The fresh sweet corn kernels are placed into cans with a very small amount of water, before vacuum-sealing the can. Heat is then applied so that the sweet corn gently steams inside the can. Because it’s steamed, the sweet corn retains its crunchy texture and juicy, delicious taste.

The steaming process has long been used by the Green Giant and is crucial to bringing you a unique and high quality product we are very proud of…

Our Story - Green Giant UK (2024)

FAQs

Does the Green Giant brand still exist? ›

Today, Green Giant holds every one of our canned or frozen vegetable options to that very same standard. Green Giant is available in the U.S. and General Mills manages the operations of the Green Giant business outside of North America.

Is Green Giant an American company? ›

It all started in 1903, when a small canned vegetable company was born in the United States – the Minnesota Valley Canning Company. The Green Giant made his first appearance in 1925.

What happened to Green Giant canned vegetables? ›

In 1979 it merged with the Pillsbury Company; in 2001, the group was acquired by General Mills. In 2015, General Mills sold the brand to B&G Foods for $765 million in cash.

What does the Green Giant represent? ›

In the 1970s, Hedberg realized that Interstate 90 construction would mean less traffic for Blue Earth. "He got to thinking, okay we need something to bring people to town so he came up with the idea of a green, giant statue," said Robinson.

What is the meaning of Green Giant? ›

Green Giant™

/ˌɡriːn ˈdʒaɪənt/ /ˌɡriːn ˈdʒaɪənt/ ​a name used on its products by a company that sells vegetables, either fresh or frozen or in cans. It was founded in Minnesota in 1903. The advertisem*nts describe the food as coming from 'the Valley of the Jolly Green Giant'.

Who acquired Green Giant? ›

After purchasing Green Giant in 2015 from General Mills for $765 million, B&G added several innovative products — including veggie tots and riced veggies — that have turned the brand into one of B&G's most consistent money makers.

What did Green Giant sell for? ›

General Mills is selling its Green Giant and Le Sueur vegetable businesses to B&G Foods Inc. for about $765 million in cash.

Where is Green Giant headquarters? ›

Where is Green Giant's headquarters? Green Giant's headquarters is located at P.O. Box 9452, Minneapolis.

How many Giant stores are there in the US? ›

The Little Things Are™ Giant

That's why, we make great food easy. With over 150 stores spanning across the Delaware, Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region, Giant is a store you can count on for everything from locally sourced items, 100% sustainable seafood, healthy options, and everyday essentials.

When did General Mills sell Green Giant? ›

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- General Mills, Inc., (NYSE: GIS) announced today it has reached a definitive agreement to sell its Green Giant and Le Sueur vegetable businesses to B&G Foods, Inc., (NYSE: BGS) for approximately $765 million in cash, subject to an inventory adjustment at closing.

Is Green Giant a Minnesota company? ›

The Jolly Green Giant is a mascot created by the Minnesota Valley Canning Company of Le Sueur, Minnesota, for its Green Giant brand of products now owned by General Mills. In 1925, it introduced Green Giant Great Big Tender Peas and the mascot soon followed.

What is the only vegetable that is never sold frozen? ›

The only vegetable or fruit never sold frozen, canned, processed, cooked, or in any other form but fresh: lettuce.

Why do my canned green beans taste funny? ›

Flat sour is an unappealing off-flavour that canned goods, home or commercial, can develop. It's caused by keeping jars of just-processed food warm too long after processing, either by keeping them in the canner, or by covering them with a towel, etc.

Do you rinse canned greens? ›

Draining and rinsing of canned vegetables can reduce the sodium content from 9 23%. Analytical values for the three vegetables tested were lower than that declared on the label. Of all the nutrients tested, vitamin C decreased from 5-28% with draining and rinsing.

Where does Green Giant get their vegetables from? ›

Our farming experts use decades of experience and research to ensure we harvest the best vegetables at the best time, lock in their goodness, and get them to you as quickly as possible. Most of our corn is packed out of Minnesota, with the remainder being packed out of the Pacific Northwest.

What is a fun fact about Green Giant? ›

GREEN GIANT PEAS WERE NAMED AFTER A BIG PEA FROM ENGLAND.

At the time, the company couldn't legally trademark the name Green Giant to describe the peas, so they created a mascot named Green Giant and sold the new type of peas under that name.

Who is the Green Giant's sidekick? ›

Often accompanied by his sidekick Sprout, the Giant became an icon of American grocery stores that has never been matched.

What is another name for Green Giant? ›

Previously known as: Thuja standishii x plicata 'Green Giant'

What is the spiritual meaning of the color forest green? ›

Green represents nature, growth, rebirth, health, hope, and many positive things related to overall wellbeing. One can sense the feeling of belonging and tranquillity whenever one sees this soothing color. It perfectly resonates nature cycle of birth, death, and then rebirth with transformation and new beginnings.

Why do green giants turn brown? ›

If some branch tips are turning brown on your newly planted 'Green Giants', it might be because they aren't getting enough water . Remember, newly planted trees and shrubs need lots more water than established plantings. For the first few months, you should water your trees every day or two that it doesn't rain.

When did Green Giant start? ›

First founded in 1903 as the Minnesota Valley Canning Company (MVCC), the Green Giant Company, as it was later known, became one of the largest producers of canned corn and peas in the United States. From its base in Le Sueur, the company developed new ways of growing, manufacturing, and marketing canned vegetables.

What is the meaning of Jolly Green Giant? ›

Jolly Green Giant is a mascot of the Green Giant vegetable company. It may also refer to: The Sikorsky S-61R, a 1959 helicopter. The Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion, a 1966 helicopter. The Sikorsky MH-53, a 1967 USAF helicopter.

How tall is the Green Giant? ›

Mature Size

The green giant arborvitae grows to a height of 50–60' and a spread of 12–20' at maturity.

How much is Green Giant worth? ›

Green Giant has a market cap or net worth of $116.61 million as of June 9, 2023. Its market cap has increased by 115.14% in one year.

What does Green Giant make? ›

Green Giant Frozen Vegetables, Veggie Steamers, Canned Veggies.

Where is Green Giant food made? ›

The brand may be based in New Jersey, but Minnesota still produces Green Giant products. Seneca Foods plants in Minnesota process Green Giant canned and frozen vegetables for B&G Foods in a practice known in the industry as co-packing. Nearby Minnesota farmers supply those plants, the company says.

How many employees does Green Giant have? ›

View Employees

Green Giant Fresh has 316 employees.

Who owns the giant company? ›

What is the largest US grocery chain? ›

Largest U.S. grocers by market share, 2022

Walmart is the most popular grocery store chain nationwide, with 25.2% of the market share as of last year. Costco and Kroger are the second- and third-most-popular grocers, with 7.1% and 5.6% of the market share, respectively.

What is the biggest store chain in America? ›

Family Dollar, Dollar Tree and Walmart are the largest grocery chains in the United States in 2023 based on the number of locations. Family Dollar has the most number of locations with 8,312 locations across 49 states and territories. Dollar Tree has 7,931 and Walmart has 4,632 locations in the US.

Who owns Aldi? ›

Aldi (stylised as ALDI) is the common company brand name of two German multinational family-owned discount supermarket chains operating over 10,000 stores in 20 countries. The chain was founded by brothers Karl and Theo Albrecht in 1946, when they took over their mother's store in Essen.

Does Seneca own Green Giant? ›

In the 1990s, through further acquisitions and internal growth, Seneca became the world's largest processor of canned vegetables. The company acquired six plants from Pillsbury and entered into an alliance with them to manufacture products under the Green Giant label.

Who owns most of General Mills? ›

General Mills Stock Ownership FAQ

Who owns General Mills? General Mills (NYSE: GIS) is owned by 76.88% institutional shareholders, 1.41% General Mills insiders, and 21.70% retail investors. Blackrock Inc is the largest individual General Mills shareholder, owning 54.43M shares representing 9.27% of the company.

Who owns B&G Foods? ›

B&G Foods is privately held, with more than 75 percent of its stock owned by the investment firm of Bruckman, Rosser, Sherrill & Co.

What happened to Le Sueur corn? ›

LE SUEUR — Le Sueur's historic connection to canned vegetables isn't completely expired, but the demolition of the corn and pea processing plant on Commerce Street — which began Tuesday — eliminates one of the few remnants of the Green Giant that lifted up the city's economy for nearly a century.

How long do green giants live? ›

Its low-branching, dense columnar-pyramidal habit reaches a mature height of 40-60 feet and width of 12-18 feet with a lifespan of 40-60 years.

What did the Jolly Green Giant say? ›

“I do 'Ho, ho, ho' -- that's it.” He periodically re-recorded the “ho, ho, ho” for Green Giant commercials, most recently in 1999 when, after an eight-year hiatus, the Jolly Green Giant was reintroduced in regional TV test spots.

What is the downside to Thuja Green Giant? ›

Although “Green Giant” arborvitae has excellent pest resistance, it is sometimes susceptible to bagworms, insects that make distinctive orange-brown hanging bag-like structures. These structures can be mistaken for cones, but are generally fairly unattractive.

When was Green Giant born? ›

The giant is born

In 1925, the company introduced a variety of "Green Giant" canned peas, which were larger than the smaller peas that were preferred at the time, according to the Minnesota Historical Society. The mascot was devised to secure the Green Giant trademark.

What kills green giants? ›

If your Thuja 'Green Giant' is growing poorly, turning to reddish brown foliage, and seems to be dying, it could be root rot caused by soggy or saturated soil conditions. Let the soil line get a little dry between waterings. Water in the mornings so the soil has time to dry out during the day.

How big will green Giants get? ›

Mature Size. The green giant arborvitae grows to a height of 50–60' and a spread of 12–20' at maturity.

How big are green giants? ›

Their ultimate height is 50-60 feet tall and their width can be up to 12-20 feet. Thuja Green Giants grow in a uniform, columnar shape, without homeowners having to worry about pruning or shearing.

Where is Green Giant located? ›

Jolly Green Giant, Blue Earth, Minnesota.

Do deer eat green giants? ›

The Green Giant was bred to have superior pest-resistant qualities, and thus, it isn't a tree that deer will typically choose to eat. Keep in mind, however, that if there aren't other food sources available, deer will occasionally snack on them.

What is the difference between Thuja Green Giant and green Giant? ›

The main difference between emerald green arborvitae and green giants is their size. Green giants are much taller and wider than emerald green arborvitae and are also a much darker green color. Other differences between them include their cold tolerance, soil preferences, and their growth rate.

Which is better Leyland cypress or green Giant? ›

Thuja green giants are equipped to handle cold weather much better than the Leyland cypress can. However, they will not tolerate drought as well as the Leyland cypress. Thuja 'Green Giant' is popular because it is adaptable to many soils, requires almost no pruning, and is not susceptible to many pests or diseases.

Why did the Jolly Green Giant have a red scarf? ›

The Green Giant Company introduced frozen vegetables in 1961 giving the Jolly Green Giant a weather-appropriate red scarf to keep him warm in the freezing temperatures, and his arms were now crossed to help keep him from shivering.

What is the Jolly Green Giant's son's name? ›

He was also pint-sized, to the point where he could easily fit into the palm of the Jolly Green Giant. He's the Little Green Sprout and his arrival meant big things for introducing kids to the healthy goodness of veggies.

Is The Green Giant a hero? ›

The Green Giant is a Superhero comic from The Golden Age of Comic Books, created by George Kapitan and published by Pelican in Green Giant Comics #1. It concerns a financial broker who via a special belt can grow to 15 stories tall and his battles against a counterfeit ring.

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