The Tony Vitrano Co. has long relied on its trusted team members to keep the business successful, and many employees are like family. So, it was bittersweet to see two of its long-time employees retire in 2022.

Mark Evans, a salesperson who had been part of the company for more than four decades, and Rose Fischer, a bookkeeper, who had called the office her second home since 1952.

The Maryland Food Center Authority provides economical, sanitary and modern facilities for food-distribution companies operating in the state. That includes those working in the produce industry, through the Maryland Wholesale Produce Market in Jessup, MD.

Lancaster Foods has been a staple in the Baltimore area for decades, operating out of a 220,000-square-foot state-of-the-art distribution and processing center in Jessup, MA, employing more than 700 employees.

“Lancaster Foods was started in 1986 by myself and my brother,” said John Gates, co-founder and president of the company. “We have enjoyed steady growth since inception, but particularly over the last few years.”

When it comes to food, Baltimore is probably best known for its seafood, especially crabs, but it also is a home to a vibrant produce business. As Maryland’s biggest city, Baltimore is key to the state’s agriculture business. Vegetable growing totals nearly 30,000 acres in Maryland, with sweet corn comprising more than 8,000 of those acres, followed by watermelon at more than 3,700 acres. Fruit accounts for more than 4,000 acres with apples leading the way with almost 1,800 acres.