R&R Flaim Farms/Next Generation Produce hopes strong spring deal continues

A mild Northeast winter set the stage for an early start to harvest of spring crops for R&R Flaim Farms/Next Generation Produce, and company officials are looking forward to carrying the momentum through the summer season.

Ryan Flaim, a member of the fourth generation of the family-owned farm that is based in Vineland, NJ, said some of the spring items it grows, such as leaf lettuces, started around a week early and showed excellent quality due to the mild winter.

“We had a pretty mild winter here, and the weather this spring also has been good for the crops, so we had a smooth transition to new plantings from the overwintered items,” he told The Produce News on May 9.

Flaim said the mild weather extended into the spring, and he expected to start harvesting cucumbers and squash by the middle of May, with peppers kicking off in mid-June followed by eggplants in early July.

This year, Flaim said he would be increasing organic offerings due to demand from his retail customers.

“We’re increasing our organics pretty much across the board,” Flaim said. “This requires converting acreage from conventional to organic, which takes some time, but it’s an ongoing process and necessary in order to meet the increased demand for organic items.”

Part of Flaim Farm’s newer offerings is an organic tray pack for summer squash and cukes.

“We did it on a small scale last year and it worked very well, so we’re coming back in a bigger way this year with that program,” he continued. “We’ll provide custom trays in a variety of sizes to meet our customers’ needs, including two- and four-count and single wrap.”

Flaim also said this year the company would be offering chili peppers in eight-, 10- and 12-ounce retail bags in both organic and conventional options.