Although Bova Fresh officially opened its doors for business in mid-April of 2015, the company has a strong vision about what it takes to build grower relationships and service customers at the highest level.

The company is headquartered in Boca Raton, FL, and is a grower-packer-shipper and broker, marketing a growing line of citrus, peaches, potatoes, onions, strawberries, watermelons and assorted vegetables.

Owner Robert Wilhelm was asked what sets the company apart from the competition. “Our sense of urgency and our focus on providing value to both our growers and customers,” he told The Produce News.

Having a strong grower base is a vital part of company operations. “I have been dealing with most of the growers for a long time,” Wilhelm stated. “I’ve always been a big advocate for supporting the same growers week in and week out. At Bova Fresh, we don’t just buy from or partner with people we don’t know. Our grower/partners and our network of marketers and importers are a direct extension of the value we try to bring to our customers every day.

“We have an in-house trucking department that offers both less than truckload and full truckload service not only to Bova Fresh but to a wide variety of other growers and customers,” he continued.

“We always have our finger on the pulse of our ever changing and challenging transportation industry. Transportation is one of the biggest variables in our business, and having in-house trucking helps us to maintain a certain level of service that our customers have come to expect from us. Reliable on-time delivery is just one way we provide value to our customers.”

The company’s sales department is headed by Gary Klar.

Turning to the current Florida strawberry season, Wilhelm said quality has been nice. “Sizing has been a little to the smaller side. But with the cooler nights we are starting to see better size, and overall quality has been increasing every day,” he added.

Bova Fresh offers private labeling for Florida strawberries, and this spring will partner with Florida blueberry growers to make private labeling available to them. “All our private label programs are tailored to each customer’s specific requirements,” he commented.

The company markets its commodities throughout the United States and Canada, and also services a few exporters who ship throughout the Caribbean. “We have a very diverse customer base,” Wilhelm said, adding that market sectors serviced include retail, foodservice, wholesale and process.