With this year’s Maine broccoli season set to begin in mid-July, Fresh From the Start LLC is eager to offer its clients high-quality product that offers advantages over that which is sourced from the West Coast.

Eric Scannelli, senior vice president of sales and marketing at the Riverhead, NY-based company, which operates as a division of Hapco Farms, said retailers in the East look forward to the Maine broccoli deal because they can obtain product that is days fresher than what is sourced from California. What’s more, the freight advantage is significant, considering truck rates from the West Coast are already topping $10,000.

This year Fresh From the Start expects to ship more than 1 million boxes of Asian-cut crowns and bunched broccoli from Maine. Fresh From the Start ships primarily Asian-cut crowns, which account for approximately 80 percent of its volume. The remaining volume is made up of bunched broccoli, and product is shipped to clients along the Eastern Seaboard and into the Midwest.

The company has been in the Maine broccoli deal for over 20 years, and it has steadily increased its volume each year, according to Scannelli. “Again this year, we expect to ship over 1 million boxes of Asian-cut crowns and bunched broccoli from Maine,” he said.

Fresh From the Start has been able to increase its Maine broccoli business over the years by developing and investing throughout the growing process to allow for improved quality and supply. For example, last year Fresh From the Start invested significantly in cooler capacity and warehouse systems for increased efficiency in loading and delivery. Additionally, Fresh From the Start works with seed companies to improve quality by using varieties that are specifically created for growing conditions in Maine and consumer preferences on the East Coast.

Scannelli added that continued development and innovations in the field include pest-management systems integration, seed-to-delivery traceability with Good Manufacturing Practices and Good Agricultural Practices programs, annual AIB International audits with consistent “Superior” ratings and multiple quality inspections during the harvesting process.

Because quality is the top priority at Fresh From the Start, the company has recently upgraded its ice injector and boxes, which are designed to prevent product damage, and it employs its own in-house inspector and provides a U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection on each load to ensure that customers are receiving only the best product.

All broccoli is hand-cut and packed in the field to minimize bruising and post-harvest handling, which requires a large, stable work force, according to Scannelli.

“We have a 95 percent employee-retention rate from season to season,” he said. “By providing modern housing, free transportation and handling all recruitment functions in house, we have ensured that the harvest crews will be in place to fill all orders with on-time delivery regardless of weather conditions or other factors. With the same work force in place every season, our customers can be assured of consistent quality from order to order, week to week, and season to season.”

Aside from broccoli, Fresh From the Start offers a seasonal cauliflower program from July into mid-October, as well as year-round supplies of cantaloupes, citrus, grapes, onions, potatoes, peppers, watermelons and strawberries.

Fresh From the Start encourages customers to visit its Facebook page, where photos and updates about it crops and programs are available.

Information about the company and its products and services is also available at www.hapcofarms.com.

“We are committed to fully servicing our customers’ needs with the best quality product at the best possible price,” said Scannelli. “When customers buy from us, they are actually dealing with the grower, not just some broker that is looking for the cheapest cost that will do the job.”