History

Nathan Feinn was born 1890 in Waterbury Connecticut. Nat Feinn started buying and selling produce in the 1920s around New york City. By the 1930s he was brokering tomatoes primarily from Florida, Mexico, and Cuba. By the 1940s Nat Feinn was working deals in California.

Nat Feinn and his son, Charles, started their business in Fresno 1947. That was also the year when Fenn Way Farms trademark was registered. They started their tomato business in a raisin packing plant on Santa Fe ave.

In 1953 Sam Finkle was invited to move his family west to join Nat Feinn & Son. Sam was related on his wife’s side.
Besides repacking bulk tomatoes we also put up Fenn Way Packed tomatoes. Many people called them tube tomatoes as there were 3 or 4 tomatoes in a narrow tray. We called them cello tomatoes because they’re wrapped in cellophane.

Nat Feinn passed away in 1961.

During the 1960’s-1970’s we began growing our own vine ripe tomatoes in the summer. We also grew bell peppers, squash, green beans and cucumbers.

1963 we moved across the tracks to Topeka Ave, Fresno

In the 1970’s we began working with local farmers in addition to our own operation. We started with sweet italian red onions, cherry tomatoes, chile peppers, bell peppers and squashes. Following the 1977 season we quit growing our own tomatoes. By the 1980s we were handling local produce year round. We also kept our tomato repacking crew busy by buying tomatoes in California, Mexico or Florida.
After college and a few trips around the world Byrne Finkle in 1983 started full time in sales at Nat Feinn & Son. Byrne previously worked every summer at Nat Feinn & Son since age 13. Byrne is the great grandson of Nat Feinn.