John Gates, president of Lancaster Foods LLC in Jessup, MD, told The Produce News that the company is proud and elated to report that it has received the highest possible level — an A — on its British Retail Consortium, or BRC, food-safety audit.

“We continually strive to stay on the forefront of food safety and in our traceback initiatives,” said Gates. “We are in compliance with the industry-wide traceability initiatives. Our dedication and hard work on our food-safety programs paid off with this BRC audit grade level.”

Lancaster Foods is also certified for organic handling, which requires that products are not comingled with conventional produce. Organic inspectors go to the facility periodically to insure that it is doing what is required to maintain its certification. Lancaster Foods is also responding to the growing demand for chemical and pesticide-free foods.

The company is very well known for its processed fresh produce.

“We continue to process salads, vegetables and fruits, but we are also engaged in numerous other fresh cut and repacked items today,” explained Gates. “We’re doing a strong business in sliced apples, ready-to-eat vegetable tray-packs and husked and tray-packed corn, as examples. And we’re doing a strong business today in spinach, colored kales and other greens. We clean, chop and package them in retail packs.”

A large portion of Lancaster Foods’ processed products go to foodservice operators, but it also does a strong business with retailers for which it offers retail packs. The company’s label is “Lancaster Fresh.”

Gates noted that the consumer demand for convenience is moving the fresh-cut trend in a similar direction to what the trade experienced with bagged salads 15 to 20 years ago.

“Our produce focus on retail consumer packaging includes tray-pack overwrap and clamshells,” said Gates. “Now consumers can open a bag of cooking spinach or other greens that are ready to cook as opposed to having to buy these products in bulk and spend the time and effort to clean and cut the product.”

Lancaster Foods distributes a full line of organic, specialty and ethnic produce items, as well its full line of conventional products. The firm has a cutting-edge, totally refrigerated and temperature-controlled 240,000-square-foot cross-dock facility which Gates said is “just on the other side of the fence” from the Maryland Wholesale Produce Market.

The company also offers an extensive traditional produce line that includes many varieties of tomatoes. Gates said the tomato program is comprised of vine ripened, tomatoes-on-the-vine, hydroponics, Romas, mature green, cherry and custom packaged tomatoes. The company also handles specialty varieties like yellow, orange and pear tomatoes.

Logistically, Lancaster Foods has expanded tremendously over the years.

“We are continually expanding,” said Gates. “Today we are concentrating on the Southeast, all the way into Florida, and into the extreme Northeast. We now distribute throughout New England, including Maine.

“Our operating range now spans the entire Eastern Seaboard, with a heavy focus on the mid-Atlantic region,” he continued. “The ethnic food categories, especially the Asian and Hispanic populations, are still a stronghold for our company, and it seems to grow continually. The demand for ethnic food items is particularly strong in the areas where we distribute.”

Lancaster Foods sources from all U.S. growing regions and it imports globally. It utilizes a satellite system that the company installed several years ago which keeps it and its customers informed of exactly where trucks are located at all times.

“We continue to add new products and to look at new packaging opportunities,” Gates said.

“New ideas and options are continually being considered and tested, and we move forward with new products as they fit well with and enhance the overall profile of our line,” he added.