Production is set to begin in earnest at the new facility for Holthouse Farms of Ohio Inc. “We had a fire in 2010 at the Walcher area,” said Kirk Holthouse, partner and head of sales and buying. “The new building project is now complete, and we can ramp up production.”

Holthouse Farms, a third-generation family business, is located in Willard, OH. The company has grown and marketed fresh produce for more than 75 years. Holthouse and its partner, Doug Walcher Farms, grow and ship a wide array of produce. “We’ve also forged partnerships with growers and expanded operations,” Mr. Holthouse said. This grower network includes business relationships in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, New Jersey and North Carolina.

“Our main growing season is spring-summer-fall, although we do sell product year-round,” Mr. Holthouse stated. Radishes, greens and cilantro are the first commodities marketed during the early season. In early June, the company moves lettuce. Squash comes on in mid-June, and cucumbers are marketed by the end of the month. Peppers are available in July, and cabbage is marketed throughout the year.

“By July 25, everything is going,” Mr. Holthouse said.

As for conditions during the 2013 production season, he said, “We’re in the 50s right now with a little rain.” He expects this combination of factors to delay the onset of production slightly this season. “If May is good, we could catch up,” he noted.

Business dynamics have changed since the 1980s, and Mr. Holthouse said the company has evolved with the times. “You have to broaden your horizons a little,” he commented. “You must have a large facility. You’ve got to have cooler capacity to do this.” Holthouse stores product at commodity specific temperatures in coolers located in Willard and North Fairfield, OH.

Holthouse markets commodities under the “LIFE” brand and “D.F. Walcher Farms” label to chain stores, wholesalers, foodservice and terminal market customers as well as individuals. Product is generally moved within a 250-mile radius. “But it does extend out to 500 miles,” Mr. Holthouse said. “We do most of our own logistics.”

Food safety is a strong focus for the company. “This has really become important,” Mr. Holthouse stated. “There are so many things that need to be addressed. For years, Holthouse Farms has been certified under a third-party Good Manufacturing Practices and Good Agricultural Practices audits and maintained a comprehensive in-house food-safety program.

Holthouse Farms became GFSI-certified last summer. “We passed on our first try,” Mr. Holthouse stated. “It was difficult going through this. But it’s a good thing now.”

The company also uses state-of-the-art technology to trace product from the field to the consumer.