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Progressive Produce now certified to pack organic in its Los Angeles facility

Founded in 1967, Progressive Produce, headquartered in Los Angeles, became Certified USDA Organic by California Certified Organic Farmers, commonly called CCOF, eight years ago.

Scott Leimkuhler is the organic buyer and sales manager for Progressive Produce. He said the company’s organic line is produced in California and in Washington.

“We are now also certified to pack organic product in our Los Angeles facility,” said Leimkuhler.

Sesame-Organic-Group-2 Progressive Produce’s new organic Sesame Street eat brighter bags of potatoes. (Photo courtesy of Progressive Produce)In addition to its conventional line, today the company is a grower, packer and distributor of 10 organic commodities, and is strongest in organic potatoes and onions. Its organic line is sold under the “Nature’s Bounty” brand name.

“Our new crop of organic sweet onions out of Washington just started,” Leimkuhler said on Aug. 21. “It’s a beautiful product.”

The company’s “Nature’s Bounty” line of organic potatoes consists of russets, reds and golds. Its organic gourmet potato line consists of baby red and baby gold potatoes.

Progressive Produce’s organic onion line includes reds, yellows and sweet onions.

The company’s customers are primarily large chain retailers across the nation.

Leimkuhler noted that the organic market is currently faring about the same as in the past couple of years, but he pointed out the distinction between organic and locally grown.

“Local is good, organic is better and having both in the product is the best,” he said.

“If organic isn’t available, the next best substitute is locally produced,” he continued. “Although organic and local operate independently of one another, when possible, consumers want both in the products they buy.”

Local, he added, is limited by the customer’s definition of it.

“I think that local and organic are two different ideas that are not interchangeable,” said Leimkuhler.

“Both will move forward, but more growth potential is on the organic side because there are limits to what local means.”

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