ADS Management, the Westhampton, NY-based parent company of Hapco Farms and Freshouse, is continuing to invest in its mission to support local farmers through strategic grower partnerships and expanded infrastructure across key agricultural regions.

In 2024, the company launched a partnership with Barnwood Valley Farms in Hadley, MA. The site serves as a local packing facility for potatoes and works directly with up to 20 neighboring farms to help distribute fresh produce throughout the region. Nearly 18 months later, this model — building smaller packing sites embedded within farming communities — has proven successful.

Based on that success, the company is expanding the approach southward.

ADS Management’s newest partnership is with Little Man Farms in Salemburg, NC. The company is currently upgrading and expanding an existing building on the property into a full-service packing facility. Once complete, the site will work with local growers to distribute broccoli, squash, melons, and cabbage. 

Another partnership is with Fann Farms, a North Carolina sweet potato and broccoli grower that supplies ADS Management with locally grown product. Owner Robert Fann said he is thrilled to be part of the ADS grower network.

"The investment in the community is very exciting and speaks volumes about ADS's commitment to the local growers. This will expand the opportunities of local producers and open new markets” he said.

To support the expanded operation, ADS Management recently invested in three new ULMA packaging systems, including the Atlanta and Sienna horizontal flow wrappers and the VTI 640 vertical bagger. The new equipment will provide the flexibility to efficiently package a wide range of fresh produce formats — from flow-wrapped trays and bulk packs to vertical bagged applications — while maintaining high speeds and consistent seal integrity. 

Designed for reliability, hygiene, and quick changeovers, the systems will enable the team to respond quickly to seasonal shifts and varying pack sizes across multiple crops and produce SKUs. 

Together, the additions strengthen ADS Management’s ability to deliver value-added packaging solutions that extend shelf life, protect product quality, and help growers compete more effectively in today’s retail environment.

The expansion delivers multiple benefits, including supporting local growers, sustaining regional labor forces, and improving product quality for customers. “By packing produce closer to where it is grown, we can move fresher products to East Coast distribution centers more quickly while reducing transportation costs” said Eric Scannelli, COO of ADS Management. 

The company has also partnered with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture. As a member, ADS Management can use the department’s “Got to Be NC” logo, helping retailers promote locally sourced products and strengthen their local initiatives.

Looking ahead, ADS Management plans to collaborate with growers in Maine and Indiana, further extending its community-based packing model and reinforcing its commitment to supporting local farmers across the country.