Van Solkema family divides responsibility and creates new firm
Van Solkema family divides responsibility and creates new firm
Surrounded by the four children, in-laws and grandchildren are Jerry and Sheryl Van Solkema.
Van Solkema Produce Inc., a longtime produce distributor based in Byron Center, MI, announced a change in its ownership structure that will have the next generation taking over at its Michigan facilities.
Over the years the firm over the years has developed an extensive growing operation in Georgia to extend its shipping season.
“This morning … I'm pleased to inform you that two of my sons, Todd and Tim, have assumed ownership of the Van Solkema operation in Michigan,” Jerry Van Solkema, patriarch of the family business, said in an April 3 statement. “With this change in ownership, my sons have elected to resort to their heritage and name their company Van Solkema Family Farms. As for me, I will continue to own and operate our facility in Glennville, GA, which will remain under the name Van Solkema Produce Inc.
“We're truly grateful for the business and friendships that has developed as the fourth generation embarks in ownership,” Van Solkema continued in the statement. “Proverbs 22:6 tells us, ‘train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.’ Because of this, my wife, Sheryl, and I are very proud of the four children we've raised. We've also been blessed with many grandchildren we greatly enjoy and plan to spend more time with.”
Van Solkema added, “In closing, your past and continued support of Todd, Tim, our family and entire organization is truly appreciated.”
Van Solkema ships a variety of vegetables, including carrots, cabbage, cucumbers, zucchini and yellow squash, hard squashes and Bell peppers.
Talbert Nething, sales manager at the firm, also noted that Van Solkema packs a variety of consumer packages, including pouches, trays and clamshells.
