“We opened an office in Plant City, Florida, last July,” Jimmy Myrick, vice president of Edward L. Myrick Produce in Pompano Beach, FL, told The Produce News. “That office is being staffed by Carl Boyles and Donald Buti. Both men previously worked for Crown Harvest Produce in Plant City. They are highly seasoned professionals who come to our company with many years of experience.”

Mr. Myrick said that the new office will be handling the company’s traditional product line, but it will also be expanding into new items.

“Besides our normal line, which consists of 35 and 40 fruits and vegetables, the Plant City office will be handling citrus, strawberries, blueberries, melons and potatoes,” said Mr. Myrick. “The predominant items in our traditional line are cucumbers, peppers, specialty peppers, eggplant, hard squash varieties and beans.”

The company has also used its new expansion as an opportunity to freshen up its look. Its new logo is a high-graphic “Myrick Produce” label with a colorful vegetable that will change along with movement. As examples, on one occasion it will be a purple eggplant, and on another a red pepper. Mr. Myrick said that the logo is being launched for the first time in this edition of The Produce News.

He noted that the Florida crop is running later than normal due to cold weather.

“Most crops that we handle were not damaged due to the cold snap, but they will be delayed,” said Mr. Myrick. Prices have been high this winter due to short supplies. We look to spring to bring normal markets.”

Edward Myrick imports, brokers and distributes a wide range of local, domestic and international produce from its consolidation location on the Pompano State Farmers Market. It is a leading importer of cucumbers from Honduras, which it markets under the “Monty” label during the winter.

“We continue to increase our number of grower-partnerships,” said Mr. Myrick. “This evolution helps to ensure we have the volumes and quality we need to supply our customers. In Leslie, Georgia, we represent Minor Produce. The company produces the popular ‘Bay View’ brand green beans. We will transfer to that operation on May 20 when movement begins. It wraps up around July 10, and then we return for the fall movement to Florida, which runs from September 15 through Thanksgiving.”

Edward Myrick Produce also ships and procures from North Carolina producers.

Its Pompano Beach office operates year-round, with product brought in to supply its Southern customers during the summer months. The company also uses its Pompano Beach facility for consolidations.

Although its primary business is in dry vegetables, Edward Myrick Produce is diverse in its product line throughout the year.

Edward Myrick, Jimmy Myrick’s father and president of the company, started working at the Pompano State Farmers Market in 1964. He founded the company in 1976, and he continues to be active in its operations.

When Jimmy Myrick joined the company several years ago, one of his first tasks was to bring the company into a new technical age.

“Today, all of our processes are integrated into our system,” he said. “I remember my dad spending long hours into the night maintaining the books by hand. Now it’s done instantly by computers, and we can all work more normal hours.”

Edward Myrick Produce has an outstanding reputation for its great customer service, and for supplying high-quality produce. It enjoys sound relationships with suppliers and others in the industry, both in the United States and in foreign countries.

The company ships its products primarily to the Northeast, Southeast and Midwest. Its customer base is retail, including major chains and independents, foodservice operators and wholesalers.

Jimmy Myrick’s uncle, Richard Myrick, owns and operates Ralph Myrick Truck Brokers, which is also located on the Pompano Market.

“He handles our movement, and we also have our own trucks that pick up product from local sources for transport to our facility,” said Mr. Myrick. “We also use additional brokers when necessary.”