Produce Alliance adds Florida foodservice distributors
Produce Alliance adds Florida foodservice distributors
The Produce Alliance announced the addition of two Florida-based foodservice produce distributors.
Downtown Produce in Melbourne, FL, and Produce Distribution Center in Jacksonville, FL, have recently joined Produce Alliance in order to position themselves to service a very large region of the state that will allow the alliance to service the entire east coast of Florida.
"This is a huge addition to our already large distribution base," Joe Collier, director of distribution and business development for Produce Alliance, said in a statement. "Both of these companies are an excellent fit and will do a great job in their respective markets. We are very excited about the two new relationships, and we've already seen positive growth take place. Being able to service the foodservice industry with the highest quality of products and services is what we look for in a distributor. Both of them do that extremely well."
Downtown Produce moved into a brand new 40,000-square-foot, fully refrigerated facility in early spring of 2005. Since that time, business has grown 25 percent. Downtown Produce offers a retail operation that sells a wide variety of specialty products including a full line of fresh dairy and cheeses, spices, herbs, beverages and frozen foods. It has a deli that daily prepares and sells fresh dishes both hot and cold along with specialty coffees and smoothies.
Founded in 1982, Downtown Produce's Gaylord and Jill Aker have worked hard to deliver only the best to their customers. They have two sons, Russell and Ian, who have assumed a majority of the responsibilities in the company. "It has become increasingly difficult for produce companies to keep a customer base of chain restaurants these days. National and regional contracts are becoming the norm because the purchasing decisions are coming from the corporate level," said Mr. Aker. "Being a member of Produce Alliance will help us to continue to grow and compete more effectively in an ever changing foodservice industry."
Mr. Aker added, "We know that the transition from being an independent thinker to being part of a national distribution network will take some getting adjusted to, but we understand it is the best way for Downtown Produce to stay up with the fast-paced business we're in. Produce Alliance provides a multitude of value and services to its members as well as national and regional multi unit chain accounts, and is growing at a very strong rate."
Produce Distribution Center, a major produce distributor based in Jacksonville, FL, is owned and operated by Larry Movsovitz and his two sons, Seth and Max. They bring a history and reputation of integrity and service that have made them one of the more successful and well-known operators in the industry.
Having previously owned Movsovitz Produce in Jacksonville, which was purchased by FreshPoint several years ago, the Movsovitz family has always been involved in produce wholesale and distribution. Dating back more than 100 years, the Movsovitz family has seen and been part of many different changes in the industry.
"Produce has always been what our family has done," Mr. Movsovitz said in the statement. "I love this business and I don't know of any other business that could have brought me more enjoyment and excitement. There have been many challenges, but that is what I enjoy about the produce business. Yes, it's true, a lot has changed from the way we used to do business, but we have always been able to adapt to those changes and be successful."
Mr. Movsovitz believes that in today's business climate, a distributor in the produce industry needs to be part of a national organization such as Produce Alliance.
"The national restaurant chains have much more control of their business today. With the high risks that exist from food safety to overall profitability, a produce distributor has to have help in knowing how to meet the demands of these chains. I have known about Produce Alliance for some time now, have watched how they have carefully built their organization, and believe they're positioned to do some great things," he said.
Produce Distribution Center has completely renovated its warehouse to include more than 30,000 square feet of refrigerated space along with a repacking operation that packs several specialty packs of vegetables as well as tomatoes.
"We can pack just about anything a customer asks of us," Mr. Movsovitz said. "With what we have already benefited from being in Produce Alliance and with what we anticipate developing with their help, we will need the additional space. We have already begun making plans for expansion."
Mr. Collier of Produce Alliance added, "Produce Distribution Center has already done some remarkable things in the short time they've been in business. We see huge potential with Produce Distribution Center and together we'll be able to offer the national and regional chain accounts a better source of supply and a wide range of services. With these two additions we are very close to completing our goals as far as coverage in the state of Florida. With the high density rate of chain presence in this state, as a group, we have to have the ability to cover the areas of demand with quality distributors."
Produce Alliance now has 36 member-distributors with 40 distribution centers across the country.
Downtown Produce in Melbourne, FL, and Produce Distribution Center in Jacksonville, FL, have recently joined Produce Alliance in order to position themselves to service a very large region of the state that will allow the alliance to service the entire east coast of Florida.
"This is a huge addition to our already large distribution base," Joe Collier, director of distribution and business development for Produce Alliance, said in a statement. "Both of these companies are an excellent fit and will do a great job in their respective markets. We are very excited about the two new relationships, and we've already seen positive growth take place. Being able to service the foodservice industry with the highest quality of products and services is what we look for in a distributor. Both of them do that extremely well."
Downtown Produce moved into a brand new 40,000-square-foot, fully refrigerated facility in early spring of 2005. Since that time, business has grown 25 percent. Downtown Produce offers a retail operation that sells a wide variety of specialty products including a full line of fresh dairy and cheeses, spices, herbs, beverages and frozen foods. It has a deli that daily prepares and sells fresh dishes both hot and cold along with specialty coffees and smoothies.
Founded in 1982, Downtown Produce's Gaylord and Jill Aker have worked hard to deliver only the best to their customers. They have two sons, Russell and Ian, who have assumed a majority of the responsibilities in the company. "It has become increasingly difficult for produce companies to keep a customer base of chain restaurants these days. National and regional contracts are becoming the norm because the purchasing decisions are coming from the corporate level," said Mr. Aker. "Being a member of Produce Alliance will help us to continue to grow and compete more effectively in an ever changing foodservice industry."
Mr. Aker added, "We know that the transition from being an independent thinker to being part of a national distribution network will take some getting adjusted to, but we understand it is the best way for Downtown Produce to stay up with the fast-paced business we're in. Produce Alliance provides a multitude of value and services to its members as well as national and regional multi unit chain accounts, and is growing at a very strong rate."
Produce Distribution Center, a major produce distributor based in Jacksonville, FL, is owned and operated by Larry Movsovitz and his two sons, Seth and Max. They bring a history and reputation of integrity and service that have made them one of the more successful and well-known operators in the industry.
Having previously owned Movsovitz Produce in Jacksonville, which was purchased by FreshPoint several years ago, the Movsovitz family has always been involved in produce wholesale and distribution. Dating back more than 100 years, the Movsovitz family has seen and been part of many different changes in the industry.
"Produce has always been what our family has done," Mr. Movsovitz said in the statement. "I love this business and I don't know of any other business that could have brought me more enjoyment and excitement. There have been many challenges, but that is what I enjoy about the produce business. Yes, it's true, a lot has changed from the way we used to do business, but we have always been able to adapt to those changes and be successful."
Mr. Movsovitz believes that in today's business climate, a distributor in the produce industry needs to be part of a national organization such as Produce Alliance.
"The national restaurant chains have much more control of their business today. With the high risks that exist from food safety to overall profitability, a produce distributor has to have help in knowing how to meet the demands of these chains. I have known about Produce Alliance for some time now, have watched how they have carefully built their organization, and believe they're positioned to do some great things," he said.
Produce Distribution Center has completely renovated its warehouse to include more than 30,000 square feet of refrigerated space along with a repacking operation that packs several specialty packs of vegetables as well as tomatoes.
"We can pack just about anything a customer asks of us," Mr. Movsovitz said. "With what we have already benefited from being in Produce Alliance and with what we anticipate developing with their help, we will need the additional space. We have already begun making plans for expansion."
Mr. Collier of Produce Alliance added, "Produce Distribution Center has already done some remarkable things in the short time they've been in business. We see huge potential with Produce Distribution Center and together we'll be able to offer the national and regional chain accounts a better source of supply and a wide range of services. With these two additions we are very close to completing our goals as far as coverage in the state of Florida. With the high density rate of chain presence in this state, as a group, we have to have the ability to cover the areas of demand with quality distributors."
Produce Alliance now has 36 member-distributors with 40 distribution centers across the country.
