T. M. Kovacevich Produce expanding local program

As long-time merchants on the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market, T. M Kovacevich (TMK Produce) operates out of a 2,000-pallet facility and represents some of the world’s finest growers at what it considers the best wholesale produce arena on the planet.

The big news coming out of the company in 2023 is that it is expanding its TMK Local program.

“Summer brings much excitement in the produce department — think corn, watermelon, blueberries, peaches, peppers, eggplant, squash and of course tomatoes,” said Tom Kovacevich, president of TMK Produce. “Produce is the differentiator in retail and there is no better way to set your store apart from the competition than by having the freshest and best quality local produce.”

TMK’s network of top-quality local growers has been expanding every year as growers appreciate the company’s Direct Store Delivery (DSD) program that bypasses warehouses and gets the produce to the retail shelf within hours rather than days. For 2023, TMK Produce has expanded both the lineup of growers and the number of retailers participating in the TMK Local DSD program.

As for business, things in the first quarter of 2023 have been good, but not without its challenges. For instance, Kovacevich noted extreme weather throughout growing areas from California to Chile have further put upward pricing pressure on key movers such as berries, lettuces and grapes.

“We are seeing prices down, on average, from the 2022 highs; however average prices are still more than 20 percent above the 10-year average and this has slowed unit sales,” he said.

He knows that the team at TMK Produce is always working hard for its customers and the company is able to ride out challenges like this. It’s what has made the company such a success all of these years.

“Every day, when no one is looking, when it would be easy to think, ‘Oh that is good enough,’ our team of professionals go the extra yard, and this makes the difference,” Kovacevich said. “This is the magic in any company. We live by the AMC — Attitude, Motivation and Commitment. These are the traits of success, and we see them every day and it is inspiring to all of us and builds on itself.”

Kovacevich also credits working in Philadelphia as being a key to success, noting the area is an outstanding produce town and the customers first-rate.

“There are many reasons why Philadelphia is a great city to operate a wholesale produce distribution business,” he said. “First is our great history. The current produce market traces its roots back to the 1700’s on Dock Street on the Delaware River in Philadelphia. Another benefit is our location, smack in the heart of the largest produce distribution hub in the United States. Nowhere else will you find such a network of ports, farming and logistics.”

Kovacevich also champions the market itself, which when it came on line in 2011, was one of the most advanced in the country. This makes things easier for customers and the business as a whole.

“In 2023, we celebrate 12 years in the most advanced wholesale produce market in the United States and the dividends from this investment continue every year,” he said.