“Now that we’re into May, we are buzzing about getting started here in our home deal,” said Tom Consalo, president of the Landisville, NJ-based company. “The weather has been super conducive to quality product, and we have seen good movement in the opening of the deal. We are especially excited to offer our local veg as the company has experienced good growth over the past year and we can get things off the ground right away.”

Generally, he added, the local deal sets the tone for the rest of the year, so the company is optimistic on running a strong year through the deal here and beyond.

“Although the New Jersey veg accounts for a good portion of our business, blueberries remain our biggest item for sure,” Consalo said. “That said, we certainly don’t sleep on the veg side as not only is it still a significant piece of the pie, but it is what got us started — so it’s more than a number. The New Jersey deal is a part of the year where we showcase the items that have been handled in my family for four generations. A sense of pride is evident in every case we pack and ship this time of year, more so than any other time so it’s special to us and we take it very seriously.”

So far, the crops are looking gorgeous, and Sonny Boy anticipates an increase in its production numbers from last year by at least 20 percent with what it’s seeing right now.

“We try to maintain a balanced book of business working with retailers, wholesalers and some foodservice as well, but we find the lion’s share of our business is with retail,” Consalo said. “My key to relationships is the same things that lend to any successful relationship — hard work, trust, integrity and compromise. We look at all of our stakeholders as partners and treat them the way we were brought up to be treated — with respect and consideration.”

There’s no shortage of challenges Sonny Boy face and this year the company is looking at geopolitical issues that may come into play with changes in policy with transportation, border issues, labor and tariffs.

“Those along with the ever-rising costs of growing product will be hurdles to continually overcome,” Consalo said. “We find ways to overcome this by staying on top of latest trends and keeping our conversations candid with our customers about what’s necessary to stay successful.”

In the year ahead, Sonny Boy plans to continue to cultivate and enrich relationships new and old and integrate all the items that it offers to its customers to create efficiencies for all. 

“We will be adding on more production here in New Jersey and throughout the year and also have more continuity with providing our label throughout the year,” Consalo said. “I think that our industry is in a good place. One of the things I like about our business is how there is always room for grassroots and traditional items and offerings while always opportunity for innovation and change. That’s something that we try to walk the line with having a fair amount of both in our culture as a company.”

The Sonny Boy team stays successful by remembering the task at hand daily and constantly communicating about how to best serve the business. 

“Making sure that we communicate effectively can avoid and ease any conflict that may arise especially when things are busy and hectic,” Consalo said. “We try to ensure that everyone remembers that we are on the same team working toward a collective goal. That is important for a strong team, and we do our best at that all year long.”