Denise Goodman, vice president of M&R Tomato Distributors Inc., located on the Hunts Point Produce Market in the Bronx, NY, partners with her brother, Michael Tambor, company president, in overseeing the company’s operations.

Goodman’s daughter, Lisa Vogl, represents the third generation to work in the business. She joined the company three years ago and has been working throughout every aspect of the business to learn all about its operations.

The company specializes in a full-line of tomatoes including gas greens, Romas, cherries and grapes. It also handles vine-ripened and greenhouse tomatoes.

“We also handle a full product line which includes California lettuces and vegetables, potatoes and onions,” said Goodman. “And we offer a wide selection of Florida produce such as vegetables, citrus and other fruits. And we have always been a strong supporter of locally grown produce.”

She also noted that as of April 28, reports were coming out of production areas that some things may be running late this spring and summer due primarily to weather issues.

“These may bunch together at some point, but the demand during spring is very good, and so it’s a good time to have a lot of product available,” she added. “And although we are happy to have this past winter behind us, people always have to eat, regardless of how cold or snowy it is.”

Regarding the City of New York and Hunts Point Market coming to an agreement for a seven-year lease extension, Goodman said, “We feel that Hunts Point is the best location for the market, for our customers and for the employees that it supports.”

M&R Tomato Distributors has always had food-safety and traceability programs in place, and Goodman said the company has always been able to track product back to its source and where it goes when it leaves the company’s facility. It plans to continue its commitment to these initiatives into the future.

M&R Tomato Distributors is highly service oriented. Its tomato re-packing department provides its customers with the finest re-packs.

“All of our products come from the finest shippers, and we carry premier labels, such as full line ‘Foxy’ fresh produce and ‘Dole’ potatoes,” said Goodman. “This is testament of our commitment to provide our customers with the best possible quality produce.”

The company was started by Milton Tambor, Goodman’s uncle, and Jack Tambor, her father, in the early 1950s at the Washington Street Market in Manhattan. In 1958, Jack Tambor took over and expanded the business. Beginning in the 1970s, Bonnie Tambor, Goodman’s sister, was one of the first women to work on the Hunts Point market. She helped to pioneer other women in the produce industry.

Throughout its history, M & R Tomato Distributors has developed an impeccable reputation for quality, honesty and fairness, quickly becoming a leader in the tomato and fresh vegetable industry.

“When the Hunts Point Market was built in the Bronx, we relocated to it,” Goodman explained. “And we have evolved with it ever since. Now Lisa is with us, and it is very nice to see another generation on board. She represents the future of the pride that we take in our company’s fundamental values and reputation.”