The Maurice A. Auerbach family has proudly announced a new addition to its family. Josh Auerbach, son of company president, Paul Auerbach, and his wife Michelle, were blessed with the birth of their second daughter, Penelope Sage, in early April. Their eldest daughter, Lily, is now three years old.

“This makes it a happy time for everyone in the family and in our company,” said Bruce Klein, director of marketing. “We want our kids to be healthy and happy, and families like the Auerbachs truly understand the gift that a birth brings to a family unit.”

Maurice A. Auerbach continues to enjoy its cutting edge facility in Secaucus, NJ, that opened in fall 2011.

The 60,000-square-foot warehouse, distribution and office facility has 45,000 square feet of refrigeration and an unbroken cold chain. The construction also provided the company with enhanced sustainability.

Klein noted that even though the facility is maintained at a temperature that is perfect for fresh produce, it was much more comfortable for customers and employees than if they had to be on an exterior dock that is exposed to the elements.

“We’ve enjoyed the new facility since the first day we moved in,” said Klein. “It has resulted in us increasing our business as well as gaining new customers. We invite our clients to visit us, and every time someone walks in the first time they express how impressed they are. That always translates to increased or new business.”

The company is the Northeast’s largest distributor of garlic. Its peeled garlic, in five-pound jars in a 20-pound case for foodservice operators, and six-ounce vacuum packed pouch for retail, are particularly strong sellers.

It also does a major business in ginger, shallots and other specialty items, including tropical and Asian produce.

Klein said the company is seeing a strong increase in the demand for its organic line.

“We now offer organic ginger, garlic and shallots, and all the items are doing very well,” he said. “And we’ve introduced new packaging for the organic line that is being well received. It’s great to see how increasingly more consumers are demanding organics as an option.”

Maurice A. Auerbach also handles a wide range of other specialty items, including tropical fruits and vegetables, creamer potatoes, Asian products, asparagus, French beans, sno peas, snap peas and more. It markets its products under the Auerpak brand name.

The company’s garlic line is extensive in itself. It includes packaged garlic, elephant garlic, braided garlic, bulk and peeled garlic.

“The Asian and Hispanic population continues to increase and that means increased business in the food items they use,” said Klein. “Garlic is used in nearly every culture around the world, so our ethnic business is a natural complement to our garlic line.”