Over a quarter century, Krichmar Produce, operating out of Vineland, NJ, has prided itself on providing businesses from Florida to Maine with the finest quality fruits and vegetables, thanks in part to a trucking operation it added to the company 15 years ago.

That part of the business continues to increase, even though challenges such as driver shortages, freight costs and lack of trucks plagues many in the industry.

Fru-Veg Marketing is a top importer of fine produce from the best growers of Europe and Latin America. Since its founding in 1988 by Conchita Espinosa, and through the partnership of current co-presidents Steven Espinosa and Albert Grimaldi, the company’s philosophy has revolved around the principal of selecting the finest growers in each region.

Over this is past winter, New Jersey had “some nice hard freezes, which is always good, and potato planting got started pretty much on time with the mild spring,” according to Ron Budd, vice president of Gloucester County Packing Corp.

“We started the third week of March with our planting of potatoes,” he told The Produce News Monday, May 2. “I think most guys just finished up this past weekend.”

Budd then provided his estimates on the start dates for the coming season.

With the fourth generation at the helm of Dandrea Produce and a broad product offering the company is well positioned for the future. “We feel the depth of our product mix really benefits our customers,” said Peter Dandrea, director of sales for the Vineland, NJ-based company. “We like to put as much as we can from the fantastic state of New Jersey in front of our customers. Having a wider selection allows us to consolidate for them.”

Dandrea explained that instead of focusing on a single item, sales will offer a program.

At the start of the 2022 New Jersey spring produce season, Frank Donio Inc. added over 600 acres of organic land as it looks toward the future and takes organic “one step further by heavily utilizing sustainable and regenerative agriculture practices,” according to the company’s Annie Pape.

HILLSDALE, NJ — The New Jersey Department of Agriculture hosted the May 24 meeting of the Eastern Produce Council, here, at Demarest Farms, and as is in previous years, Jersey Fresh held a starring role. Each year, the NJDA uses the event to feature its popular Jersey Fresh marketing program, now in its 38th year, making it the oldest state-sponsored program of its kind.