Rice Fruit and Hunts Point: A beautiful relationship
Rice Fruit Co. is one of the eastern fruit shippers that works steadily with a wholesale distributor in the Hunts Point Market.
John Rice, who heads sales, said he finds the New York City market an excellent outlet for its fruit.
“We ship about two-million boxes of apples, and 200,000 boxes of peaches to the city,” said Rice. “And we ship there 12 months a year. The New York market is one of our best, and has been for more than 40 years.”
Rice Fruit deals exclusively with D’Arrigo Bros., one of the largest houses on the NY market.
Vision Import Group happy to spread its wings in new, larger location
Vision Import Group recently moved its New Jersey office from River Edge to Hackensack. Ronnie Cohen, vice president of sales and a partner in the company, said during the eight years in its previous location the company grew in personnel and needed additional space.
“And we have plans for the near future to increase our sales and add new categories to our existing lineup,” said Cohen. “Our new office space is double the size, and will allow us to make the additions comfortably.”
Jerry Porricelli Produce increases staff with new foreman, Steve Neggie
In late April, Jerry Porricelli Produce, located on the Hunts Point Terminal Market, was moving it entire line of produce strongly.
The company handles about 70 items, mostly vegetables, herbs and tomatoes. It services a mix of retailers and foodservice operators throughout the tri-state area.
Vice President, Ciro Porricelli, told The Produce News that eastern crops were in transition.
The wheels continue turning around new corners at S. Katzman Produce
Every year brings new and major changes at S. Katzman Produce Inc., located on the Hunts Point Produce Market.
Fourth generation family member, Stefanie Katzman, told The Produce News that even bigger changes will come in the future.
“We have always serviced the Northeast, but now we are spreading across the entire East Coast,” she said. “And we have international customers in Canada, Europe and the North Atlantic.”
FresCo’s new website organized as a daily destination for produce professionals
Up and running in late April, FresCo’s new website, www.frescony.com, is a fully interactive site that provides produce professionals with information on the company’s line, current programs, daily market specials, the company’s wholesale and retail services, national industry reports and even easy ordering instructions.
LD Logistics’ Dichter says trucking costs during the winter were down
In mid-April, Lance Dichter, president of LD Logistics, headquartered at Hunts Point Terminal Market in the Bronx, NY, told The Produce News that trucking costs during the winter season this year were down.
“We had lows in some months that we hadn’t seen in the past,” said Dichter. “Looking at comparatives to last year, rates even in late April are down slightly.”
He added that truck supplies were still ample in April.
Target Interstate testing new technology
In early May, Target Interstate Systems Inc., located at Hunts Point Terminal Market in the Bronx, NY, was testing a newly software application developed specifically for the company.
Paul Kazan, company president, told The Produce News that he is very excited about its capabilities.
“Drivers will be able to look at our available loads and secure the load immediately through the system,” explained Kazan. “They can also take photos of the bill and send them through their devices, and they can track payments. It’s totally automatic.”
EXP Group adding Mexican limes, papaya and vegetables to its line this year
Emil Serafino, vice president of Exp Group LLC, in North Bergen, NJ, said that the company, which is a multinational group based on several companies, is adding limes, papayas and vegetables to it’s line this year.
The group of companies, which also includes Exp Serafino Inc., Exp Banana Services LLC and Exp Logistics LLC, together create the most efficient network of production, exportation and distribution of tropical fruits and vegetables from the Caribbean, South and Central America. Serafino said Exp Fresh LLC will launch in 2016.
RBest continues strong growth with ‘We R Nuts,’ ‘El Sol’ lines
“We R Nuts” is RBest Produce Inc.’s snack line of gourmet candies, dried fruits, dried vegetables and numerous nut varieties.
The line is comprised of over 350 items packaged in convenient resealable clamshells. Customers have the option of displaying their own company or brand name logos on the label.
Jasmine Hines, director of marketing and advertising for the Port Washington, NY-based company, said while “We R Nuts” is the company’s snack line of gourmet candies, the company continually promotes its Tropicals’ division.
It’s all about combining family and work for Nathel & Nathel
New programs are a constant addition at Nathel & Nathel Inc., located at the Hunts Point Terminal Market in the Bronx, NY. The firm’s hallmark to success is to stay at the industry top, and that means to always handle the best produce at the best possible prices.
Shelly Nathel, vice president of the company, told The Produce News that its stellar staff has equally contributed to the company’s success since it began in 1922.