Most agree that one reason the New York Produce Show has grown tremendously, and successfully, since the inaugural show in 2010 is because of the density of the food market in the entire Northeast region.

Michael Muzyk, president of Baldor Specialty Foods, headquartered in the Bronx, NY, said another reason is because the show, held in Manhattan, is in the heart of this region.

“This enables local retailers who may not have been able to fly several produce staff members to shows like the PMA Fresh Summit, United Fresh or others further away,” explained Muzyk.

“The New York Produce Show is closer to home for them, and it provides a great trade show experience,” he continued. “The organizers of the show do a great job, and we make it a point to be a big part of the event.”

He added that Baldor doesn’t see this show as just another trade event.

“We see it as an annual meeting with our customers, and it’s a win-win if we pick up new customers,” he said.

The company will exhibit at booth No. 303 and No. 402, which Muzyk said is visually apparent the minute visitors walk in the door.

Baldor will be promoting its full line of high-quality specialty foods, as well as its grower-relationships, which support the company’s dedication to its suppliers.

But Muzyk noted that the company’s goal is to always challenge itself and its partners to come up with something bigger and better. The latest from the company will be shared with visitors at the New York Produce Show.

“We are both a farm and a fork company,” he stressed. “The need for people to know where their food is coming from is a trend, not a fad. We play a major role in bringing producers and consumers together every day.”

The company, which, in addition to New York, has distribution facilities in Boston, MA and Jessup, MD, and earlier this year it teamed with a company in Miami, FL, to distribute its product there.

“And we’re able to backhaul from the South,” said Muzyk, “Which is beneficial to everyone involved. This program is expanding nicely, and we are keeping our eyes on it for future possibilities.”

Muzyk said the company is now working on an expansion at its Bronx location, and grubbing and grading the land is underway.

“We have signed an agreement with the City of New York for an additional 10 acres adjacent to our site in the Bronx,” he explained.

“The position of this acreage did not provide many opportunities related to facility expansion, but it’s perfect for parking,” he continued. “Our fleet is now at about 250 trucks. The new acreage will enable us to put the trucks there, and then to develop a new configuration to redo our employee parking lot to make it more efficient.”

The company, he added, now has about 1,100 employees.

He recently spent some time in Boston exploring the possibility of a larger facility there as well.

“Despite our growth, our company is committed first to quality, customer service, pricing and availability,” said Muzyk. “I believe our success comes down to not just what we’re offering today, but what lies around the corner and staying flexible to responding to changes.

“This is our 25th anniversary, and when you look at our history and what we’ve accomplished in those years, it’s quite remarkable,” he added. “We plan to continue to have a profound and positive effect in our industry.”