Crosset serves Midwest retailers with organic selection
Crosset serves Midwest retailers with organic selection
Midwestern organic consumers say that they buy organic produce because they think it tastes fresher and because they want to avoid pesticides.
"I buy [organics] because I think they are healthier - there's no pesticides. It seems that the organic product usually tastes better, too," said Susan Clear, a consumer in Cincinnati.
Ms. Clear and other Ohio consumers noticed the change in organic availability in the market area as well. Another consumer, Jan Weaver, said, "There is a broader range of organic produce available now than even just three years ago. A good selection used to be available only in specialty stores; now I can find them widely available in conventional stores as well."
Consumer perspectives such as these have fueled rapid organic category growth in the Midwest, and demand will continue to grow. In the Midwest, the growing demand for organics has been met in great part through the support of the Crosset Co. in Independence, KY, which said that it has played a significant role in assisting retailers in developing the category.
Crosset's state-of-the-art facility, along with its purchasing and transportation resources, make it uniquely equipped to support its customers in developing their organic business. In addition, Crosset's merchandising expertise has helped retailers ramp up their programs quickly and efficiently, positioning organic products in the department for greatest ease of shopping.
Today, Crosset handles over 400 organic items and provides customers with both direct delivery and cross-docking services.
Crosset General Manager Dan Pardekooper said in a statement, "We make the management of an organic program painless. We manage certification, inventories and multiple suppliers. We also provide merchandising training to help our customers get the best results possible from their organic program. With Crosset, a retailer can be up and running with an organic program in less than 30 days."
Ernie Pais, produce director of McGinnis Sisters Special Food Stores in the Pittsburgh area, recognized the benefits that Crosset has offered in helping him give consumers a broader selection of organics. "McGinnis Sisters likes to be able to give consumers choice," said Mr. Pais. "Crosset Company has helped us become more diversified as a retailer. We can now offer our consumer the best choice in organics as well as conventional produce."
While retailers said tha they certainly benefit from the services that Crosset provides, growers also cited the benefits.
Samantha Cabaluna, communications director of Earthbound Farm, stated, "Crosset Company has been an effective and valuable partner for Earthbound Farm as we've expanded the reach of organic produce in the Midwest. Their staff is knowledgeable and professional, and takes the future of organic seriously."
Similarly, Bonnie Campbell Poux of Access Organics, which represents growers throughout the country, recognized the support that Crosset has provided to Access Organics in getting specialty and hard-to-find items to midwestern customers - along with standard and regional items.
Ms. Poux observed what she called "Crosset's genuine enthusiasm for organics," and said that she considers Crosset to be an innovator that has helped Access Organics open up "big new doors" in the Midwest.
Reinforcing the importance of diversity and variety, Dwight Basilius of Driscoll Strawberry Associates in Watsonville, CA, observed, "Crosset's commitment to organics uniquely positions them to serve a growing number of Midwest customers offering both conventional and organic berries."
"I buy [organics] because I think they are healthier - there's no pesticides. It seems that the organic product usually tastes better, too," said Susan Clear, a consumer in Cincinnati.
Ms. Clear and other Ohio consumers noticed the change in organic availability in the market area as well. Another consumer, Jan Weaver, said, "There is a broader range of organic produce available now than even just three years ago. A good selection used to be available only in specialty stores; now I can find them widely available in conventional stores as well."
Consumer perspectives such as these have fueled rapid organic category growth in the Midwest, and demand will continue to grow. In the Midwest, the growing demand for organics has been met in great part through the support of the Crosset Co. in Independence, KY, which said that it has played a significant role in assisting retailers in developing the category.
Crosset's state-of-the-art facility, along with its purchasing and transportation resources, make it uniquely equipped to support its customers in developing their organic business. In addition, Crosset's merchandising expertise has helped retailers ramp up their programs quickly and efficiently, positioning organic products in the department for greatest ease of shopping.
Today, Crosset handles over 400 organic items and provides customers with both direct delivery and cross-docking services.
Crosset General Manager Dan Pardekooper said in a statement, "We make the management of an organic program painless. We manage certification, inventories and multiple suppliers. We also provide merchandising training to help our customers get the best results possible from their organic program. With Crosset, a retailer can be up and running with an organic program in less than 30 days."
Ernie Pais, produce director of McGinnis Sisters Special Food Stores in the Pittsburgh area, recognized the benefits that Crosset has offered in helping him give consumers a broader selection of organics. "McGinnis Sisters likes to be able to give consumers choice," said Mr. Pais. "Crosset Company has helped us become more diversified as a retailer. We can now offer our consumer the best choice in organics as well as conventional produce."
While retailers said tha they certainly benefit from the services that Crosset provides, growers also cited the benefits.
Samantha Cabaluna, communications director of Earthbound Farm, stated, "Crosset Company has been an effective and valuable partner for Earthbound Farm as we've expanded the reach of organic produce in the Midwest. Their staff is knowledgeable and professional, and takes the future of organic seriously."
Similarly, Bonnie Campbell Poux of Access Organics, which represents growers throughout the country, recognized the support that Crosset has provided to Access Organics in getting specialty and hard-to-find items to midwestern customers - along with standard and regional items.
Ms. Poux observed what she called "Crosset's genuine enthusiasm for organics," and said that she considers Crosset to be an innovator that has helped Access Organics open up "big new doors" in the Midwest.
Reinforcing the importance of diversity and variety, Dwight Basilius of Driscoll Strawberry Associates in Watsonville, CA, observed, "Crosset's commitment to organics uniquely positions them to serve a growing number of Midwest customers offering both conventional and organic berries."
