Frank Donio continues global expansion
Frank Donio continues global expansion
Every year, Frank Donio Inc., headquartered in Hammonton, NJ, expands its facility and builds new programs to keep pace with its global distribution.
In addition to its now 175,000-square-foot New Jersey facility, of which 150,000-square feet is cold storage, the company has two satellite warehouses in the West — one in Nogales, AZ, which opened in 1994, and the other in San Diego, established in 2007. Combined the facilities have a total of 35,000 square feet of cold storage.
Lauren Del Rosario and Bob Donio in mid-August..Frank Donio’s primary items that move through its Western warehouses include cucumbers and Roma, grape and vine-ripe tomatoes from Baja and Sinaloa in Mexico.
Rudy Batiz, the company’s West Coast sales manager, addressed the current challenges in these production regions.
“Due to the water supply in these regions of Mexico, we are expecting a lighter crop than in previous years,” he said. “But we feel secure that we’ll have ample supplies to fulfill our customers’ needs and our commitments.”
Lauren Del Rosario, marketing manager for Frank Donio, told The Produce News that the company’s New Jersey fall program includes its “Jersey Fresh” cranberries.
“This program was launched in 2014 and was met with great success, and so we are continuing it this season,” said Del Rosario. “It received major support from retailers who loved having locally grown cranberries on their shelves.”
She added demand by retailers, wholesalers and foodservice companies for all Jersey grown produce has grown tremendously in recent years.
“New Jersey-grown produce has a major impact on agriculture in the state,” Del Rosario added. “And it is highly sustainable, not only because of reduced miles products have to travel, but also because New Jersey producers are highly sustainable-minded in all of their practices.”
Frank Donio was founded in 1933 by the company’s namesake, and it has evolved into a highly sophisticated operation. It maintains the highest food safety and traceability certifications and practices sustainability throughout its operation.
“We do this not only because customers are demanding it today, but also because of our company’s sound reputation,” said Del Rosario.
