Since moving into the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market when it first opened four years ago this June, M. Levin & Co., a full line produce distributor, has welcomed the opportunity to diversify.

Mark Levin, chief executive officer, told The Produce News, that this is especially true in the company’s delivery abilities. Five years ago the company had six straight trucks and 10 trailers.

Three years ago it dropped to two trucks and 10 trailers. Today it’s back up — and this time to eight trucks and 10 trailers. Levin said that he will continue to increase the fleet until he is satisfied that he can best service all of his customers.

“There is more business to be had if you’re willing to invest more in your operation,” he explained. “We can do more by expanding a little outside of our current range, but in doing so we have to consider transportation issues. More people want to buy from us since we moved to the new market, and they’re requesting delivery. If customers want produce and want it delivered, we’ll do whatever necessary to accommodate them.”

He pointed out that unrelated types of businesses now carry fresh produce, such as Wawa and 7-Eleven stores. Even some gas stations, like Sunoco, now offer fresh produce like apples, pears and oranges, reiterating that there’s business to be had in many directions.

M. Levin & Co. sources the 900 or so items on its commodity list from around the world, and it distributes from Virginia to Toronto and west to Ohio.

As a family generation business, with Levin representing the third generation, company executives consider their long-time and loyal staff members as family. And when one has a problem, the Levin family feels it’s a family problem. Levin explained that Lonnie Zweifel, a vegetable buyer and salesperson who has worked with the company for over 30 years, is battling a progressive form of cancer.

“We want to offer Lonnie our sincere tribute and appreciation for his many years of dedication and loyal service,” said Levin. “And although his health has failed, he can work for us as long as he wants. We’re a family business, and we treat our staff members like family.”

Zweifel, Levin added, worked up the ranks in the company over the years. He revamped the company’s vegetable program and assumed buying responsibilities for western, southern and other produce programs.

Levin also announced that the company has hired Perry Barse as a new sales representative.

“Perry graduated from the Saint Joseph’s University Food Marketing program in 2013,” he said. “He is motivated, quick to learn and inspired about knowing everything about the produce industry from the ground up.”

M. Levin will celebrate 110 years in business in 2016. Levin, a third-generation family member, works side-by-side with cousins, David Levin, Michael Levin and Joel Segel. Every generation until now has been only men, but the fourth generation now with the firm, are all women.

Tracie Levin, Mark Levin’s daughter, is general manager responsible for operations management and food safety among other initiatives. Sarah Levin, David’s daughter, is involved in the banana ripening program. Margie Levin-Fischman, Michael’s daughter, is in tropical sales and foodservice, and Brenda Segel, Joel’s daughter, is in inventory control.

“These women are doing an outstanding job, and we could not be more proud of them all,” said Levin.