Florida vine-ripe business flourishing for Market Fresh
Florida vine-ripe business flourishing for Market Fresh
A year ago, Dana Summers joined Market Fresh Produce, LLC, based in Nixa, MO, as senior director of global operations.
Summers has 24 years of experience serving the foodservice market. Thus, she has a great deal of insight into the operations of Market Fresh’s vine-ripe tomato packing facility, West Central Florida Produce, based in Tampa, FL. Market Fresh acquired West Central Florida in August 2013.
West Central Florida Produce in Tampa, FL, packs and ships vine-ripe tomatoes.Summers, who works from Milwaukee, said the Florida tomato business is managed extremely well.
First, she noted that it is unusual to have a vine-ripe operation in a state that is focused on volume-oriented gas green tomatoes.
Summers credits David Ferrera, who is the sourcing specialist in Tampa, for his ability to maintain strong grower relations and preserve Market Fresh’s dedication to flavor profile and high quality.
She said the Tampa company operates as a “fantastic team” and works hard and with integrity to fulfill the vision of Steve Phipps, who owns Market Fresh.
“At a time when many companies now are focused on the bottom line, Market Fresh is doing the right things and we are sticking to basic, humble approaches.” Summers added that this approach can also lead to a profitable bottom line.