Edward L. Myrick Produce expands in Michigan

Edward L. Myrick Produce has long been a big player in the produce scene in Florida and Georgia, working with chain stores and wholesalers all around the United States and Canada. This year, the Pompano Beach, FL-based company opened a new Michigan facility in an effort to increase its year-round supply of fresh fruits and vegetables.

“Our Benton Harbor, Michigan facility essentially makes Edward L Myrick Produce a year-round entity,” said Jimmy Myrick, vice president of Edward L. Myrick Produce. “This gives us a much stronger Michigan presence and enables us to supply our customers with fresh eastern vegetables during the summer months.”

The Michigan addition is not the only recent sign of growth. The company also took on Parrish, FL-based Voyager Farms this past October, increasing the number of growers the company represents in the state, and is already seeing the dividends of that move.

“Business in 2022 has been exceptional with the merger of Voyager Farms LLC adding another two shipping points in Florida,” Myrick said. “Business is certainly up with the addition and their customer base.” Plus, thanks to the merger with Voyager Farms, it’s also expanded Edward L Myrick Produce’s Michigan operations, as the Voyager Farms’ proprietor has a 40-year history of business relationships with customers and growers alike in the Southwest Michigan growing region.

“This business is based on relationships and this is something we’ve conjured over the last 40 years,” Myrick said. The company understands that Michigan is a powerful produce town and is excited to be making more of a presence in the region. “Growers, land and location of the growing region to the Midwest and the south makes it something special,” Myrick said. “Benton Harbor was once known as the Fruit Belt because of the locations and ease of shipping to these areas.”

He noted crops are just going into the ground now and are looking fantastic. “We should start harvesting squash the end of June or early July and we’ll start green beans the end of June as well,” Myrick said.