Koornneef Produce is focused on steady growth
Koornneef Produce is focused on steady growth
In 1946, Arie Koornneef “started as a jobber after immigrating to Canada from Holland after [World War II]. He started selling fruit to customers out of a pick-up truck,” said Fred Koornneef, president of Koornneef Produce. “His philosophy was simple, have an excellent product and take good care of your customers.” Five decades later, and Koornneef Produce has since grown to an all-year operation servicing all of Ontario and into the Atlantic provinces.
Fred Koornneef, president of Koornneef Produce, foresees steady growth for the company that specializes in greenhouse vegetables and local tender fruit.Specializing in greenhouse vegetables and local tender fruit, the Koornneef warehouse is located in Grimsby, ON. A staple of the farmers market for 27 years, Koornneef bought a stall on the Ontario food terminal market in March 2009. Koornneef is indeed a family-run business, with Mr. Koornneef’s brother and partner, Adrian Koornneef, managing the Grimsby warehouse, as well as son Marcus and nephews, Bryan, Brad and Dylan, all working for the company.
“Our products include tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and tender fruit,” said Mr. Koornneef. “Our customers include retail chain stores, corner stores, and small and medium independents. We have customers that order two cases and others that order 2,000.”
“We are very hands on and cater to our customers. For us, it’s about listening to their needs and delivering,” he noted.
Mr. Koornneef foresees steady growth for the company moving forward. “Things are chugging along quite well, we’re really busy and sales continue to grow.”
“It was a tougher spring on the greenhouse side because an overabundance of product tends to suppress prices. When the market gets long, it adds more pressure and drives prices down.”
“The major freeze during blossom set has wiped out about 80 percent of the apple crop. On the tender fruit side, we’re looking at about a 50 to 60 percent loss. It means prices are going to be higher.”
