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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT

TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): January 3, 2022

CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

California

   

000-33385

   

33-0945304

(State or Other
Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

1141-A Cummings Road, Santa Paula, California 93060

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (805525-1245

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

       Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

       Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

       Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

       Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

   

Trading Symbol(s)

   

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock

CVGW

Nasdaq Global Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On January 3, 2022, director Harold Edwards gave notice of his retirement from the Board of Directors effective February 1, 2022 and that he will not stand for re-election at Calavo’s 2022 annual meeting of shareholders. Mr. Edwards’s decision was not the result of any disagreements with Calavo on any matter relating to Calavo’s operations, policies or practices.

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

On January 6, 2022, the Company issued a press release announcing the retirement of Mr. Edwards from the Board of Directors. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1 is being furnished and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any of Calavo’s filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof and regardless of any general incorporation language in such filings, except to the extent expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)    Exhibits

99.1

Press Release dated January 6, 2022

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL).

2

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

    

Calavo Growers, Inc.

January 6, 2022

 

By:

/s/ Steve Hollister

Steve Hollister

Interim Chief Executive Officer

3

Exhibit 99.1

Logo  Description automatically generated

Calavo Growers, Inc. Announces Board Member’s Retirement

SANTA PAULA, Calif., Jan. 6, 2022—Calavo Growers, Inc. (Nasdaq-GS: CVGW), a global avocado-industry leader and provider of value-added fresh food, today announced that Harold S. Edwards, a member of the Board of Directors since 2006, has decided to retire from the board effective Feb. 1, 2022, to devote more time to his duties as CEO of Limoneira Company.

“We appreciate Harold and his 16 years of service to Calavo and to the board. His contributions have been invaluable,” said Calavo Chairman J. Link Leavens. “Harold’s retirement will bring the size of our board to 10 members, down from a high of 13, which is more in line with a company of our size.”

Steve Hollister, Interim CEO and a member of the Board of Directors, said, “Calavo’s relationship with Limoneira as one of our valued suppliers remains strong, and we look forward to our continued work with Harold in his capacity as Limoneira’s CEO.”

About Calavo Growers, Inc.

Calavo Growers, Inc. is a global avocado-industry leader and provider of value-added fresh food serving retail grocery, foodservice, club stores, mass merchandisers, food distributors and wholesalers worldwide. The Company’s Fresh segment procures and markets fresh avocados and select other fresh produce, including tomatoes and papayas. The Renaissance Food Group (RFG) segment creates, markets and distributes a portfolio of healthy, fresh foods, including fresh-cut fruit, fresh-cut vegetables and prepared foods. The Foods segment manufactures and distributes guacamole and salsa. Founded in 1924, Calavo’s fresh food products are sold under the respected Calavo brand name as well as Garden Highway, Chef Essentials and a variety of private label and store brands.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements relating to future events and results of Calavo that are “forward-looking statements,” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These statements are based on our current expectations and are not promises or guarantees. If any of the risks or uncertainties ever materialize or the assumptions prove incorrect, the results of Calavo may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. The use of words such as “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans” and “believes,” among others, generally identify forward-looking statements.

For a discussion of the risks and uncertainties that we face, please see the risk factors described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any


subsequent updates that may be contained in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor Contact:

Financial Profiles, Inc.

Julie Kegley, Senior Vice President

310-622-8246

calavo@finprofiles.com