Bushwick Commission celebrating 90 years

It’s not every day that companies hit historic milestones and become legacy companies, but Bushwick Commission is one of those companies. Since 1934, Bushwick has been doing what its founders, the Koondel family, did best: serve the community.

Following the Koondels came a new generation of civic-minded produce entrepreneurs. Jack Hyman and David Gray were innovative leaders who carried on Bushwick’s legacy, thrusting it forward into the next era of growth. Today, 90 years and four generations later, that legacy continues.

From their original produce stands and push carts in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn to the full-service supplier offering daily delivery up and down the East Coast, Bushwick continues to be focused on the value of providing locally grown produce to retail customers of all sizes looking for fresh foods that give their customers the sustainable choices they desire.

Ken Gray, vice president of sales and marketing for Bushwick, is the fourth generation to carry on the family legacy, and he is focused on the same kind of service and quality that the business and reputation were built upon from day one.

While Gray acknowledges that there are more needs for technology, sustainability, merchandising solutions and new varieties, today’s consumers are still looking for good quality and good value – and they want a relationship with the people who grow their food.

“The more things change, the more they stay the same,” said Gray. “Last year we made an office move and we sorted through decades of files that highlighted layers of brand stories that were fun to see, remember and, most importantly, remind ourselves that those who came before us passed on more than a business, they passed on a responsibility.”

From Maine to Miami, local is what makes Bushwick Commission the company it is today. Bushwick focuses on supporting and partnering with local producers of fresh vegetables direct from growers as far north as Maine down through the Mid-Atlantic areas such as Virginia, allowing them to service retailers up and down the Atlantic coast with daily deliveries.

Bushwick believes today consumers are looking for real value in every dollar they spend, and that can include cost, sustainability, social responsibility, health and more. Bushwick’s locally grown program offers assurances to buyers who are looking for more than just supply chain security and the ability to manage costs, but also for producers who are looking ahead and making categorical changes in how they do business to keep pace with today’s socially conscious consumer.

In fact, locally grown and related food miles are just part of Bushwick’s commitment to sustainability. The company continues to work with every one of its growers to identify sustainable solutions that improve their environmental impact and reduce their overall carbon footprint, and they continue to benchmark all areas of production and packing operations while also pursuing more environmentally friendly packaging.

If retailers are looking for a success-minded partner ready to deliver community solutions, they should look no further than Bushwick Commission. With 90 years of experience, they have proven they are here to stay and know how to keep pace with the changing times.