Ben B. continues to focus on growth
Ben B. continues to focus on growth
Detroit’s food scene has exploded, and people are moving to the area for the city experience at a more affordable price.
“As a result, we’re seeing demand grow for a diverse mix of produce, whether that’s for restaurants doing seasonal menus, or people whipping up cultural favorites in their kitchen,” said Jordan Grainger, vice president of sales and business development for Ben. B Schwartz & Sons, which caters to both local and national chain stores, as well as foodservice providers. “We expect this to continue in 2026, and with prices in flux, we expect people to be more cost-conscious so leaning into commodities that they can use in a variety of ways.”
Ben B., operating from the Michigan Produce Terminal, has been proudly serving the Detroit area for almost 120 years and people have come to know the company for its high-quality products and services, as well as its ability to source any item and anytime.
“The seasons really drive our demand,” Grainger said. “Given its winter in the Midwest, there is typically high demand for items that are staples in comfort foods and heavier dishes, such as potatoes, carrots and bell peppers, to make everything from soups and chilis to pot pies. On the other hand, people also want to take advantage of the produce that’s currently in season, which many of these items are, but also include other commodities such as Brussel sprouts, kale, oranges and grapefruits.”
When any new year comes around, there is also a renewed focus on healthier habits as people adopt resolutions and come out of the holidays, so fresh produce demand overall has spiked for that reason as well.
“The winter season is always unpredictable, which is why it’s crucial to plan ahead,” Grainger said. “We maintain a vast network of growers and suppliers to offset any challenges the weather might pose so we can source any commodity whenever we need it and at the standard we expect. Our network also allows us to better navigate pricing fluctuations. There was a lot of uncertainty and confusion last year with the ongoing tariff changes, but we were able to successfully adjust when we needed to by having these long-standing relationships in place.”
Detroit retailers and foodservice customers are looking for something special about those they work with, and Ben B. is able to provide that first-rate service.
“Customers don’t just want to receive produce in big pallets anymore but have them repackaged and branded so they’re retail and kitchen ready,” Grainger said. “As a wholesale distributor, we want to be a partner versus a vendor and offering services like these help save our customers time and money.”
In 2025 Ben B. was focused on growth across the board and in 2026 plan to do the same.
“We expanded our offerings, our sales team and leveled up our technology,” Grainger said. “For 2026, we’re building off of the great momentum we had in 2025 and plan to expand our distribution to more regions across the U.S. In our hometown, Detroiters can expect the same great service and high-quality produce they’ve come to know and love from Ben B. We value our partnership with customers and are always looking for ways to adjust our offerings so we can help alleviate their pain points.”
