“I’m most proud of my team, a group of consummate professionals that work tirelessly to help our customers achieve success,” said Michael Strock, director of business development.
Located in Chelsea’s New England Produce Center, Strock & Co. serves major supermarket chains, independent retailers, wholesalers, restaurants and foodservice distributors across the six-state New England region. With a dedicated team of specialists on hand, the company ensures that customers can always count on receiving the highest quality products available.
“The biggest keys to success for our organization have hinged on operational excellence, relationship-building and adaptability,” Strock said.
Strock & Co. emphasizes customer service and consistency, with a team of specialists dedicated to ensuring that clients receive the highest quality products available in the market. Its extensive experience in the competitive Boston metropolitan area has helped it establish long-standing relationships within the industry.
There have been a lot of changes to the company since Samuel Strock began selling fruit and vegetables in 1897, but the one constant through the years is that the company has always been known for its reliability.
Strock is helping to keep the family legacy in the area strong and is a great believer that the area is one of the best in the world for produce companies to succeed.
“The New England Produce Council is all about bringing great produce people together to create a better tomorrow,” he said. “I’ve always been attracted to the industry because we are actually part of the solution to chronic disease epidemic plaguing this nation.”
While he’s enjoyed his time working in the produce industry, Strock has dealt with some challenges and noticed some changes over the years.
“One of the biggest root problems that I currently see plaguing our great industry is the answer to ‘Why are our fruits and vegetables less nutritious than the produce that our grandparents consumed 50 years ago?’” he said. “Farming for yield — instead of nutrition — through modern agriculture practices like mono-cropping and heavy synthetic pesticide use for example, have depleted our soil of essential nutrients over time.”
Still, he sees a silver lining in that, which propels him forward.
“Our industry can be part of the solution that puts human health first,” Strock said. “It will take a serious commitment and investment to leave behind a better food supply for future generations to thrive off.”