For decades, Maurice A. Auerbach Inc. has maintained a strong presence in the Northeast produce business, building its reputation as a leading distributor of garlic and specialty items while fostering long-standing relationships with customers throughout the region.

As a third-generation, family-owned company based in Secaucus, NJ, the firm continues to rely heavily on its deep ties to the Hunts Point Produce Market to support its distribution strategy and customer reach.

The early days of 2026 started a little slower than usual due to challenging winter weather conditions in the Northeast. 

“The year began a bit slow with the very cold temperatures and two major snowstorms,” said Bruce Klein, director of marketing for the company. “But as the weather has started to break, we’re seeing demand pick up again for garlic and other specialty items.”

That rebound is welcome news for a company whose product mix spans a wide range of globally sourced items under its AuerPak brand, including garlic, shallots, ginger, organic produce and a variety of Asian and tropical offerings. Garlic remains the backbone of the business, and Klein noted the category continues to perform well overall.

“Demand for bulk garlic is still very strong,” he said. “At the same time, we’re seeing increased interest in value-added products, particularly peeled garlic from different growing regions and our triple-washed diced garlic.”

Beyond garlic, other specialty items are also gaining traction. 

“Our core items are always moving well, but we’ve seen a noticeable uptick in demand for high-quality ginger,” Klein said. “Customers continue to seek reliable supply and consistent quality across categories.”

A key factor in Maurice A. Auerbach’s success has been its enduring relationship with the Hunts Point Produce Market, one of the largest distribution hubs in the country. The company has been supplying the market for as long as it has operated in its current location, and Klein described Hunts Point as central to its daily business.

“We have long ties to Hunts Point and sell to many of the houses there,” he said. “It’s an integral part of our everyday operations.”

Proximity to Hunts Point allows the company to efficiently serve a broad customer base across the Northeast. 

“We send trucks to the market every day,” Klein said. “That ensures customers that rely on Hunts Point can receive the freshest possible product.”

The market also plays a critical role in helping the company reach smaller buyers that would otherwise be difficult to service directly. 

“Hunts Point connects us to smaller customers that depend on the market for their daily needs,” Klein said. “Without it, reaching those customers would be much more challenging.”

Maintaining strong relationships within the market is a priority for the company, and that commitment starts at the top. 

“Paul Auerbach makes it a point to visit the market every week and meet with customers we’ve worked with for many years,” Klein said. “Those face-to-face visits help strengthen relationships and keep communication open.”

Like many companies in the produce industry, Maurice A. Auerbach continues to navigate supply-chain challenges, particularly when it comes to logistics. With products sourced globally, timing and coordination have become increasingly complex.

“Logistics is one of our biggest challenges right now,” Klein said. “We have to track everything from when a ship arrives at port to when the product is offloaded, inspected and delivered to our dock. Weather, staffing shortages and even government issues can impact that process, making it more difficult to manage.”

Despite those challenges, Klein remains confident in the company’s outlook, citing both its diversified product line and its longstanding partnerships.

“Hunts Point will always play a significant role in our business,” he said. “The relationships we’ve built over the years are incredibly important, and they will continue to be a key part of our growth moving forward.”