Northampton Growers is making a few customers even happier than ever with the implantation of the RPC containers. Calvert Cullen, co-owner of Northampton Growers said, “We are packing some cabbage in RPCs this season along with our normal cardboard containers for customers that are now requiring their produce be in the returnable container.”

Other than that, the company is keeping things status quo.

“Certain years you implement things and you want to see how it progresses before applying another stage,” said Cullen. “It’s just a business philosophy I’ve learned from years of doing this.”

Northampton’s multiple production areas enable it to follow through on its promise of year-round shipments.

“We have produce growing in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia and Michigan,” said Cullen. “We have shipping locations all year long, so we can basically offer a 12-month supply.”

Cullen added that each growing area has different locations and different growers to ensure that product does not run out. The biggest volume products Northampton ships are cabbage, peppers and green beans.

“No new products this year, the program is for the same acreage as last year and no new items on board at this time,” said Cullen.

Cullen said Northampton Growers, which was founded in 1959, “found a successful program of supplying customers and we still do it the same way. We are a very hands-on company.”

The “hands on” touch he refers to means that Cullen travels with the crops. In mid-April, he was in the Boynton Beach, FL, office, but in May he will be in the Georgia office.

“We travel where they are packing because we want to make sure things are done right and on time,” said Cullen.

Cullen has been honing his craft for decades. The Virginia Tech graduate and fourth-generation grower-shipper started working with Northampton Growers in 1990.

“My family came from Scotland in 1680 and has been in the produce business ever since,” he said. “It’s just a way of life. Most of us were raised on the farm. I was raised on the same farm my family was farming since 1680. It gives you a great sense of pride.”

With that kind of heritage the company has a promising future.

Cullen also maintains that big conglomerates can’t offer the service of a family-owned business with a lot of heart.

“We plan to continue to grow just as we have for years, “ Cullen said. “From the time we plant the seed to the time it gets to the grocery store, we’ve been there at all levels, and that gives us an advantage over other people.

“The best advice my grandfather gave me is always give great service and a great product and you will always have good customers,” Cullen added.