BRS Produce Co. Inc. was among the original tenants at the new Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market when it opened in June 2011. It occupies units D-2, D-3 and D-4.

Rick Milavsky, president, secretary and treasurer of the company works along with his father, Ron Milavsky, vice president. Rick Milavsky told The Produce News that the company continues to handle a full line of fruits and vegetables, with a particularly strong focus on tomatoes, mushrooms and a tropical line.

Rick Milavsky, president, secretary and treasurer of BRS Produce Co. Inc. at the PWPM.“We handle mixed vegetables out of California, and all leafy products from just about every area where they are produced,” Mr. Milavsky said. “And we follow the eastern coastline seasonal production movement from Florida to New Jersey, as well as Ohio and Texas.”

BRS Produce was founded by Mr. Milavsky’s step-father, Frank Leone. Mr. Milavsky has owned it since 1982.

He said that business at the new PWPM started strong when the new facility opened in 2011, and that it has stayed strong since.

“May through July is always the busiest time for us,” he said. “Things tend to quiet down a little during the winter. Our customer base profile has remained pretty much the same, but we have picked up new customers since moving into the new facility. Word is spreading about the great things we can now offer, such as the unbroken cold chain. This increases the integrity of fresh produce, which means that we can stretch sales out a little longer.”

He added that people are pleased with the loading and unloading processes at the new facility, and that once people have the basic instructions, they get in and out of the terminal without a hitch.

“It is definitely a lot easier to load and unload here,” said Mr. Milavsky. “It is much more convenient for buyers to pick up their merchandise. It is a great pleasure to work from here.”

BRS Produce ships to an approximate 100-mile radius from the PWPM. It services the Atlantic City and New York City areas, goes south to Baltimore and Washington D.C., and west to Harrisburg, PA. Its customers are mostly foodservice wholesalers that supply hotels, casinos and industrial operations. It also sells to small chain retailers. And it is a supporter of locally grown initiatives.

When the company opened its doors at PWPM, it hired Ed Barba, who is in charge of the new tropicals’ division.

Mr. Milavsky said the company follows all of the required food-safety protocols.

“As do our shippers,” he said. “Documentation is available to present to our buyers at all times.”

“There are always issues and challenges in business, but just look around at this facility,” he added. “It’s a perfect place to handle fresh produce, especially in this tightened economy. This terminal market is really sharp. It’s sort of neat to be the first in the world with such a cutting edge facility.”