In and out like a lion: March wreaked havoc on northeastern produce companies
In and out like a lion: March wreaked havoc on northeastern produce companies
On the first day of spring, temperatures hovered in the low 30s in New York and were even lower in surrounding states, as the entire region was hammered once again by a snow storm. It fell on the heels of numerous other snowfalls that, since January, dumped dozens of inches of snow in the Northeast.
Despite the March 20 storm, those in the produce industry greeted spring with positive thoughts of warm weather to come.
“We’re very pleased to be out of winter,” Matthew D’Arrigo, vice president of D’Arrigo Bros. Co., located on the Hunts Point Terminal Market in the Bronx, NY, told The Produce News. “Once temperatures drop to the 40s, we begin to feel a contraction in business. Another 10 degree drop, another contraction, and so on.”
He noted there are 20 million or so people in the company’s distribution area that don’t shop when winters like this past one occur.
“The domino effect runs from retailers back to farmers,” added D’Arrigo. “It hurts everyone.”
During a late-January storm, New York and Massachusetts closed roads to all non-essential personnel, pushing business at both Hunts Point and the Boston Terminal Markets to a dead stop for at least one day.
Baldor Specialty Foods in the Bronx continued to deliver food during the order. Michael Muzyk, president, explained that hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities, as well as retailers and foodservice operations, rely on the company to keep the food coming.
One New York retailer said that of the 270 or so suppliers it has, Baldor was the only one delivering.
“People need food regardless of the weather,” said Muzyk. “We intend to do the job we’re counted on to do.”
Produce movement also goes awry during a harsh winter.
“Inbound product is hindered by bad weather,” said Joel Fierman, president of Fierman Produce Exchange Inc., also on the Hunts Point Terminal Market. “It’s a big problem when railcars loaded with potatoes are stuck in upstate New York for 20 or more days. When the snow melts and the rails open, the cars come in on top of each other. This is a supply-and-demand business, and a situation like this causes a glut.”
Weather for the April holidays was forecast at between 45 and 55 degrees in New York City and Boston. It’s a warm relief that brings hope for what is synonymous with spring: strong sales of fresh produce.
