Foster Farms has acquired 19 California poultry ranches from the former Zacky Farms after placing a $31 million bid in the bankruptcy settlement.

Zacky Farms filed for bankruptcy last year, disclosing in the filing that it owed $50-100 million in debt. It then announced that it would be halting operations completely.

Founded in 1955, Zacky Farms was a fourth-generation, family-owned business. The company was a vertically integrated grower, processor and distributor of premium poultry products and had converted 100% of its product to antibiotic free, cage free or organic.

The acquisition will allow Foster Farms to expand further in California, specifically in antibiotic-free, cage-free and organic production.

“From the start, Foster Farms has steadily grown through strategic purchases of highly desired land, poultry ranches and facilities in the West Coast and beyond,” Foster Farms vice president of communications Ira Brill told the Business Journal.

Properties acquired include three near Lemoore and four in Kerma, Cal. Other locations include Caruthers, Riverdale, Corcoran, Helendale, Apple Valley and Fresno, Cal.

Foster Farms recently celebrated its 80th anniversary.