MAHWAH, NJ — Merle Axelrod, president of Supreme Cuts, here, is “very excited” about the upcoming New York Produce Show & Conference, as it gives her company a chance to showcase its innovative products right in its own backyard.

“The New York show is always a good show,” she told The Produce News on the afternoon of Nov. 3 at her office here in suburban New Jersey, about 30 miles from New York City. “We’re looking forward to the new venue,” she added, referring to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, on the west side of Manhattan. “We’ll be showing our extensive line of pre-cut items. We’re very excited.”

Dana Mulroy, manager of customer services at Supreme Cuts, with some of the company's items, which will be on display at the New York Produce Show & Conference in early December. (Photo by Gordon M. Hochberg)The company’s volume is generally strong and steady all year long, but the period of “fall through spring is our busiest time,” she said. That’s probably to be expected. Green beans — the company’s original item — “are a good fall item,” she said, and they remain Supreme Cuts’ signature item even as the company has greatly expanded its line. And green beans are extremely popular on dinner tables all over America not only during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays but also throughout the cold fall and winter months when dining at home remains de rigueur.

The company has also seen good volume of Butternut squash, which Axelrod noted “used to be a seasonal item but is becoming more and more of a mainstay item.” And Butternut volume “is increasing every year,” added Dana Mulroy, the firm’s manager of customer services.

Supreme Cuts, a precut vegetable processor founded by David Axelrod back in 2002, now offers a wide variety of staple items, including beans, sweet potato chunks, harvest medley chucks, Butternut squash chunks, sweet potato fries and shredded Brussels sprouts.

Among the company’s newer items are diced beets, shredded napa, jicama sticks, and kale and brussels sprouts blend. Many of those newer items will be on display at the New York show for the first time, according to Merle Axelrod.

“It’s important to see that our line is growing,” she stated. “We’ve expanded so much from beans. People are always looking for new and more items. All of our items are offered in both foodservice and retail packs. We’re also doing a lot of diced and sliced items, such as diced carrots, celery, onions and peppers.”

Asked if the company is looking to add to its product line, Axelrod replied, “We’re always thinking about new items. We get feedback from customers. We’re pretty much customer-driven. We’re very focused on our customer service. We have a team that is always working on new items. We’re nimble enough to listen to suggestions and do customized items.”

While not ready to announce any new products at this time, she did say, “You always have to think ahead — to make yourself valuable to your customers. We pride ourselves on that. It’s been a very exciting year.”

Supreme Cuts will be exhibiting at Booth No. 421 at the trade show, which will take place Wednesday, Dec. 3. Merle Axelrod, David Axelrod, Dana Mulroy, Rich Zanetich and perhaps additional personnel will be at the booth.