CHICAGO — “I am very proud of the success we have had over the last six years,” said Joe Collier, partner and executive vice president of distribution and business development of Produce Alliance.

The Produce News recently interviewed Collier in the company’s office in a revitalized part of downtown Chicago.

“We continue to grow with the model that fits us. We have hired a significant amount of good, young talent in the last few years. That has helped shape us,” Collier said.

According to the firm’s website, Produce Alliance specializes in providing fresh produce procurement and distribution services to foodservice clients across North America, the Caribbean and beyond. Produce Alliance manages “an alliance of 44 independently owned specialty distributors of fresh products, with combined produce sales of over $3 billion annually. They are carefully selected using the most rigorous qualification criteria. Each commits to full compliance with our audited distribution, purchasing and category-management programs designed for client success.”

The firm also noted, “Our outstanding financial stability and long-term contracting relationships with over 400 grower-shippers enable us to enjoy superior access to fresh produce supply, commodity expertise and new product innovations for the foodservice industry.”

“Our goal is to execute flawlessly in implementing programs for our national accounts,” he said.

Produce Alliance, which was founded in 1996, works very closely with clients “to resolve all issues and opportunities. It is very, very key to us to improve our system so our customers see that they made the right choice in selecting Produce Alliance to manage their category.”

He continued, “As fast as we are growing, we continue to improve in the areas of food safety and quality assurance. These are areas where we are continuing to reach new heights.”

Produce Alliance is working toward a 2015 initiative that all of its member distributors be GFSI certified. “That is the highest possible level you can be in the industry,” he said.

Collier is creating a five-year Produce Alliance growth plan. The goal is “to continue to increase our growth and enlarge our number of distributors and members and growers for our business offshore. The momentum is certainly there for us. People want to know how to be a distributor, as well as a grower” affiliated with Produce Alliance. “We are very proud and excited that people have a lot of confidence in us.”

Produce Alliance maintains offices in Chicago, Atlanta, Nashville, TN, and in California’s Salinas Valley.