Paradise Produce perfects art of customer relations
Paradise Produce perfects art of customer relations
The road to and from Paradise is paved with more than good intentions. Joel Silverman, owner of Paradise Produce Distributors in Lakeland, FL, said the company is always pushing the envelope to meet and exceed customer expectations.
“Our job is to make it easy for our customers to make one call and allow us to fill their entire order with a mix, which sometimes includes 20 items or more,” he told The Produce News. “We will source whatever our customers desire. And honestly, I have sold some items I cannot even pronounce.” Many members of the company’s close-knit staff have been together since Paradise Produce opened its doors 24 years ago.
“We try to make it easy for a buyer to call us, place an order for multiple items, then relax and let us do the work,” he continued. “The fact that we do this from all growing regions year-round makes us different from some firms who just operate on a seasonal basis. It can get very hard, complex and frustrating. But I think through the years, we have proved to our customers we can get it done, and they rely on us to do so.
“Whether it’s a new product, supplier, customer or associate, the one thing that makes this industry unique is the fact that there is always something to learn and it’s never boring,” Silverman said.
Paradise Produce works with a team of dedicated trucks, which haul produce for them exclusively.
“Although we do use truck brokers and truck companies, we have more control over transportation and on-time arrivals when we use drivers who deliver to the same customers every week,” Silverman stated.
The company moves a line of fruits and vegetables to its customers. “We service a large area, primarily in the Eastern half of the country,” Silverman commented. “If you drew an imaginary line from Florida to Boston, then Boston to Omaha and finally Omaha back to Florida, we can and do successfully service accounts in that triangle. Every now and then, we will get an order going to Texas or California.”
One can’t talk about the current produce season without giving Mother Nature her due. “Whether its conditions at the farms or at the customers location, weather is a determining factor of supply and demand and can sometimes make or break a market. This winter was a perfect example,” Silverman observed.
“I certainly think once the weather breaks and spring sets in, there will be a large pent-up demand for fresh produce as people can finally enjoy outdoor activities, which feature food like a family cookout or a trip to the beach,” he added.
