Albert’s Organics is a wholesale distributor of fresh organic produce and other perishable items including meats, cheeses, juices, dairy products and more.

“Since 1982, when we first opened our doors, we have provided organic fresh produce,” said Simcha Weinstein, director of marketing for the Logan Township, NJ-based company. “As our name would suggest, organic is not something we decided would be a nice addition to our product mix as it became popular. It is the foundation of our business. Rather than follow the popular trends, we have lead the way in pioneering the distribution and availability of organic foods across the country. Albert’s Organics new Logan Township, NJ, distribution facility.Our line of fresh produce includes more than 300 fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs.”

Weinstein said the company was transitioning from the abundant summer fruit to autumn items, such as apples and pears in late August.

“We always begin our sourcing and procurement strategy looking as close to home as possible,” he said. “With each of our seven distribution centers across the country, we have very strong local and regional programs. We have worked with many of our growers since we started in business.”

Albert’s Organics’ distribution centers are in New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Florida, Colorado, Minnesota and California. It recently opened new warehouses in Logan Township, NJ, and Aurora, CO.

“Our Logan Township distribution center is the busiest of our distribution locations,” said Weinstein. “The facility is a 70,000-square-foot building, with the opportunity to expand by an additional 25,000 square feet. The official grand opening for the facility was June 19.

“The Aurora, Colorado distribution center is a shared facility with our parent company, UNFI,” he continued. “This state of the art 550,000-square-foot facility opened the first week of June.”

During the winter months much of the local and regional sourcing opportunities are limited. But the company’s strong import program enables it to offer product year-round. It is also a huge supporter of Fair Trade products from Mexico and South America. Fair Trade USA recently released an Impact Report which highlights Albert’s Organics commitment as a strong and reliable partner in supporting Fair Trade Products. The report shows that through its purchases since 2006, Albert’s Organics has contributed over $500,000 in community development funds to banana growing communities in Ecuador and Peru.

“Participating in Fair Trade programs has given Albert’s an opportunity to directly enrich and improve the lives of growers in the world,” said Weinstein. “We are grateful for this opportunity.”

Its import program includes tropical fruit and pears from South America, peppers and tomatoes from Holland and Israel, and apples from New Zealand.

“In all of our grower-partner situations, we actually visit the farms and the growers we buy from regardless of where in the world they are located,” said Weinstein. “We believe it’s important to have a face-to-face relationship with our growers, and it works as well for them as it does for our retail customers and the end consumer. We are not merely purchasing our product based on a price list and phone conversation; we literally go the distance.”

When the company began, its primary customers were small natural food stores as they were really the only retail venue for purchasing fresh organic foods. Over time the dynamic has changed. While still remaining loyal to its original customers, the company has increased its customer base to insure that the breadth of availability of organic foods is available through as many outlets as possible.  

Albert’s Organic’s locally grown program is now in its seventh year.

“We have had tremendous success with this program,” said Weinstein. “The program is designed to promote and sell as much local organic fresh produce as possible. The three components to the program include the growers, their products and the marketing-merchandising effort needed to convey it all to consumers.”

Fresh organic produce is here to stay, and Weinstein said that as prices between organic and conventional move closer together, organic sales increase. Nearly every item available in conventional fruits and vegetables is also now available in organic.

“Organic sales showed an increase in 2012, and the expectations are high for another increase in 2013,” said Weinstein.