“Our business has been pretty consistent throughout the summer and into early fall,” said Patrick Burke, sales and purchasing representative for Garden Fresh Salad Co. Inc., located at the New England Produce Center in Chelsea, MA. “People are really looking for high-quality products, and they hold us to very high standards. We live up to those standards 99.9 percent of the time by providing good product at a fair price and great service. And we never say no.”The Garden Fresh Salad facility in Chelsea, MA.

Garden Fresh Salad specializes in California vegetables, and handles a full line of value-added prepared products for restaurants, caterers and retailers. Burke stressed that the company handles nearly every type of vegetable. Its top processed items are lettuces, coleslaw and diced or peeled onions. Fruits represent approximately 10 percent of its business.

 The foodservice sector represents the largest customer base for Garden Fresh Salad’s processed product. The company has been processing one type of product or another for over 40 years.

“We service a few chain retailers as well,” said Burke. “These are steady customers and they’re fairly predictable. Independent retailers tend to be less predictable in their purchasing habits. Retailers are taking a lot more precut items that end up at supermarkets for their prepared food sections. Over time, a couple of chainstores are also increasing their purchases of pre-packaged products.”

Burke pointed out that retailers and foodservice operators are increasingly aware of food-safety issues which is helping to push the demand for more packaged goods. And customers want only top quality produce. Restaurants especially want consistent product so that the menu items they serve always look and taste the same.

“The recession affected primarily the specialty produce category,” he said. “It’s easier for retailers and foodservice operators alike to cut out a $50 box of a specialty item than a box of a commodity that is always needed. We don’t handle a lot of specialty items, but that’s been to our benefit over the past few years.”

Quality and consistency in what customers receive is of key importance, and Garden Fresh Salad is a true professional at providing it. Burke explained that when customers buys a 10-pound box of Romaine, for example, they get all usable product in that box. This is unlike a box that has small heads or in one that has some product that goes to waste.

Garden Fresh Salad distributes to customers from New York throughout New England and into Canada. Its primary customers are wholesalers who sell direct to retailers and foodservice operators. The company also services retail chains and some one- and two-store independent retailers.

The company is family-owned. Izzy D’Alleva, the founder and president, continues to be active in it today. It is the next generation, however, that is now overseeing its operations.

John Whitney also helps to operate the company. His wife, Rita, and Burke’s wife Lisa, also work in the company. Whitney works in sales and purchasing.

“We also have Maureen Hurney and Howie Hall in sales and purchasing,” said Burke. “They have both been with us for multiple years.”

Garden Fresh Salad handles locally grown produce when it’s in season, but Burke said it’s a short season in New England growing.

“We’re carrying local apples currently, as well as fall vegetables and winter squashes,” he said. “In the winter months we don’t get a lot of locally grown product. California is now going through its normal transition from the Salinas region to the desert. As Florida starts moving product later in the winter we’ll also be sourcing from there.

“We have been moving a lot of whole pumpkins this year,” he continued. “Supplies are really good. Overall, things have been steady, and we’re always grateful for that.”