For seasoned produce companies like Garden Fresh Salad Co. Inc., located at the New England Produce Center in Chelsea, MA, one season tends to blend smoothly into the next throughout the year and from year to year.

The company specializes in California vegetables and it handles a full line of value-added prepared products for restaurants, caterers and retailers.

Patrick Burke, sales and purchasing representative for Garden Fresh Salad, told The Produce News that the company continues to focus on living up to its high standards in providing good produce at fair prices and backed with great service.

Pumpkins on the dock at Garden Fresh Salad.“And we never say no,” stressed Burke. “We handle nearly every type of vegetable. Our top processed items are lettuces, coleslaw and diced or peeled onions. Fruits represent a very small percent of our business. We’ve been processing one type of product or another for over 40 years.”

The foodservice sector is Garden Fresh Salad’s largest customer base for its processed products, but it also services a few chain retailers.

“These tend to be steady customers that are fairly predictable, while independent retailers tend to be less predictable in their purchasing habits,” said Burke.

“Today retailers are taking a lot more precut items that end up in their prepared food sections. Over time, a couple of chain stores are also increasing their purchases of pre-packaged products.”

Garden Fresh Salad distributes to customers from New York throughout New England and even into Canada.

The company is family owned. Izzy D’Alleva, founder and president, continues to be active in the business today. The next, or second, generation, however, is now overseeing its operations.

John Whitney also helps to operate the company. His wife, Rita, and Burke’s wife Lisa, also work in the company. Whitney works in sales and purchasing.

“We also have Maureen Hurney and Howie Hall in sales and purchasing,” said Burke. “They have both been with us for multiple years. Several months ago we added Adam Feld to our team as a new sales representative. He is a young guy and this is his first experience in the produce industry. He’s doing a great job for us.”

Quality and consistency in what customers receive is of key importance, and Garden Fresh Salad is a true professional at providing it.

“When a customer buys a 10-pound box of Romaine, for example, they get all usable product in that box,” explained Burke. “We don’t sell boxes with small heads or one with heads that have to be trimmed and go to waste.”