West Caldwell, NJ-based FreshPro Food Distributors’ organic history dates back to the 1980s. The company is a leading full-line distributor and fresh-cut processor, and is certified to process and repack organics in addition to conventional items.

Pat Mele III, executive vice president and chief financial officer for the company, said it recently added several new items to its organics line.

“We have added Pero Family Farms’ green beans in six-ounce bags to our line,” said Mele. “Also new is our fresh-cut ready-to-use diced veggies, which include carrots, celery and onions. Our juice line has also been expanded to include five varieties of Bolthouse Farms’ 1915 Juices in 12-ounce bottles.”

Mele noted that the company has begun to look at the foodservice sector and taken on some accounts to determine if it is a viable category for the company to pursue.

The company keeps a keen eye on food trends in that besides produce, it offers a wide range of deli and cheese items as well as florals.

“The biggest new trend we are seeing is the home meal delivery business,” explained Mele. “A good example is Blue Apron, which now delivers five million meals a month. We are proud to say they are a customer of ours.”

West Caldwell, NJ-based FreshPro has been handling organic product since the 1980s and continues to expand its line.The demand for organics is more than a trend today — it’s a lifestyle. Mele said the company is getting a lot of new business because of its organics’ offerings.

“Today everyone wants to be in the organic business, and they want more variety,” he said. “And they want fresh-cut value-added in a variety of items. Retailers are creating organic sections in their departments and promoting them with more advertising and increased display space.”

Mele added that the company is also seeing a lot of interest in organic snack items for summer camps and school lunch programs.

And he noted that the demand for locally grown produce seems to resonate more strongly with foodservice operators, but that organics are gradually working their way into the conversation. The company strongly supports locally grown programs in surrounding states.

“Organics will continue to be a growing business as more and more people, especially younger families and millenials who are concerned with healthy eating, are seeking them out,” Mele pointed out. “Given the number of product scares that surface, consumers seem to feel that organics are safer to eat.”

Food safety continues to be one of the most important programs for FreshPro.

“This is true for both our fresh-cut program and our distribution business,” said Mele. “Our comprehensive food-safety program is audited by a third party as well as by our customers. In addition, we have expanded our food-safety department to ensure that we continue to be ahead of all compliance and safety issues.