“2024 is almost over and things are pretty much back to normal from the COVID years,” said Patrick Burke, one of the senior executives who oversees the company. “We are back to that groove we were in before that.”
With the winter upon us, things are a little busier than normal, but things slow down a week after Christmas because a lot of farm stands are closed down. That’s always a good time for the company to reevaluate the prior year and get ready for the year ahead at the market.
“Everyone here is friendly; obviously it’s competition but at the end of the day, we all wake up at two in the morning to do this, so we have our own little club who experience the same hours, and it’s a close-knit community who see eye-to-eye,” Burke said. “I enjoy the camaraderie and seeing the people here. It’s a light atmosphere and you can have fun with people. It’s not so politically correct as it would be in the corporate world.”
Garden Fresh Salad Co. distributes to customers on the Northeast, mostly working New York throughout New England and into Canada. Historically, its customers are primarily wholesalers that sell direct to retailers and foodservice operators, though it also services retail chains and some one- and two-store independent retailers.
“We have a good mix of customers, but it’s mostly foodservice and wholesalers,” Burke said. “Keeping customers happy comes down to giving them what they want and being responsive. Like any industry, if you’re not keeping them happy, they will find another way to be happy. Your main job is to keep them happy one way or another.”
The biggest challenge over the past year has been weather issues as Burke noted it seems more severe storms have been hitting more areas than ever, which means there’s always a few items that are more expensive or harder to get.
“It seems like these events come out of the blue much more than they used to,” he said. “There are hurricanes and fires and it seems there’s always a natural disaster on someone’s doorstep.”
Still, he admitted that it creates some excitement and interest in the job, as when markets just stay steady, things can get a little boring.
Garden Fresh Salad Co. is a family-run company, with a third generation working alongside the others and taking on greater responsibility in recent years. This of course bodes well for the company’s future.
“It’s easier to rely on family and you’re all working toward the same goals,” Burke said. “Family is always good because you have people who are invested in the business and there’s more incentive to do well. You want to take care of the family name and there’s a lot of pride in working in a family business.”
Burke and his son are often side-by-side and he likes to joke that while LeBron and Bronny James are taking the same floor for the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers occasionally, the Burkes get to that every day working with produce.
“It’s pretty neat when you’re working side-by-side with your son and a bunch of nephews, in-laws and such,” Burke said.