In July 2012, Edward L. Myrick Produce, headquartered in Pompano Beach, FL, opened an office in Plant City, FL. In early March this year, Jimmy Myrick, vice president of the company, told The Produce News that things were going very well at the new location. It is staffed by Carl Boyles and Donald Buti. Both men previously worked for Crown Harvest Produce in Plant City.

“Both are highly seasoned professionals who came to our company with many years of experience under their belts,” said Myrick. “Things are going extremely well at the Plant City location. We’re in the process now of adding more small farmers to our roster there and things are building up strongly.

“This year we’ll be shipping eggplant under our ‘Myrick Produce’ label, which is locally produced in Plant City,” he continued. “We look forward to further growth in that location in the future.”

The Plant City office also handles the company’s traditional full line of produce, which consists of between 35 and 40 fruits and vegetables. The Plant City office is also handling citrus, strawberries, blueberries, melons and potatoes.

“The predominant items in our traditional line are cucumbers, peppers, specialty peppers, eggplant, hard squash varieties and beans,” said Myrick.

The company also used the new expansion as an opportunity to freshen up its look. Its new logo is a high-graphic “Myrick Produce” label with a colorful vegetable that will change along with movement. As examples, on one occasion it will be a purple eggplant, and on another a red pepper. The new logo was officially launched for the first time in last year’s The Produce News coverage on the Pompano Beach Marketrack.

Myrick said that he is very happy to report that Florida crops are right on time this year and that the quality is very high.

“Winter has been tough across the country, which makes our high-quality spring produce in even stronger than normal demand,” he noted. “The increase in demand might drive the market up, but it’s too early to have a sure grasp on how things will unfold. We do see it as being a decent season, however.”

Edward L. Myrick imports, brokers and distributes a wide range of local, domestic and international produce from its consolidation location on the Pompano State Farmers Market. It is the second-largest importer of cucumbers from Honduras, which it markets under the “Monty” label during the winter.

The company continues to increase the number of grower-partnerships both domestically and offshore.

“This continual evolution helps to ensure that we will have the volumes and quality we need to supply our customers,” said Myrick. “In Leslie, Georgia, we represent Minor Produce. The company produces the popular ‘Bay View’ brand green beans. We will transfer to that operation on May 20 when movement begins. It wraps up around July 10, and then we return for the fall movement to Florida, which runs from Sept. 15 through Thanksgiving.”

Edward Myrick Produce also ships and procures from North Carolina producers.

Its Pompano Beach office operates year-round, with product brought in to supply its Southern customers during the summer months. The company also uses its Pompano Beach facility for consolidations.

Although its primarily business is in dry vegetables, Edward L. Myrick Produce is diverse in its product line throughout the year.

Edward Myrick, Jimmy Myrick’s father and president of the company, started working at the Pompano State Farmers Market in 1964. He founded the company in 1976, and he continues to be active in its operations.

When Jimmy Myrick joined the company several years ago, one of his first tasks was to bring the company into a new technical age.

“Today, all of our processes are integrated into our system,” he said. “I remember my dad spending long hours into the night maintaining the books by hand. Now it’s done instantly by computers, and we can all work more normal hours.”

Edward L. Myrick ships its products primarily to the Northeast, Southeast and Midwest. Its customer base is retail, including major chains and independents, foodservice operators and wholesalers.

The company has an outstanding reputation for its great customer service, and for supplying high-quality produce. It enjoys sound relationships with suppliers and others in the industry, both in the U.S. and in foreign countries.