Chuck Zambito, owner of Zambito Produce Sales in West Deptford, NJ, told The Produce News that he is glad to have winter behind, saying that such a bad winter runs a domino effect from the grower all the way to the end customer.

“We’re all in the same boat,” said Zambito. “But spring brings hope, and it’s a welcome relief in every way.”

Zambito handles potatoes, California navel oranges and onions and mixed vegetables. The company, in business since the mid-1970s, services primarily foodservice operators through distribution centers and wholesalers.

Its customers are as far south as Maryland, north into New England and in the Midwest. It also sells to companies at the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market.

The drought in California has not yet taken a toll on his suppliers because Zambito doesn’t deal heavily with mixed vegetables from there, but he said that citrus growers are bracing for problems to come.

“California citrus growers say that citrus will be affected more in the coming season and into future seasons,” he explained. “The reservoirs are so low and continue to drop. Even if the drought ended today it would take years for supplies to build back up. You cannot manufacture water.”

On the East Coast, the cold winter weather has set some products back a bit, such as potatoes in the Carolinas. The weather, he pointed out, can turn warm quickly, but it takes time for the soil to warm up.

He said that New Jersey starting to come on with spring produce is a sure sign of better things in the future.

Zambito has been involved with the New Jersey Agriculture Society for over 10 years. He also dedicates his time to Cornell University, which he graduated from with a degree in what is now called the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Zambito’s wife, Barbara (Bobbie), also helps out in the business. The couple can’t stop talking about the fun they have with their grandchildren — seven-year-old Charlie Everlof, eight-year-old Matt Mancini, four-year-old Ceclia (Ceci) Zambito, and three-and-a-half-yea-old Cara Mancini.

“Charlie is really smart,” said Zambito. “When he grows up he wants to play hockey for Cornell University and sell cotton candy. Cara is three-and-a-half going on 17. She comes in the house and says she’s going to look for treasure. She goes to my dresser where I keep my change and lays claim to it.”

“They grow up fast,” he added, “and every moment with them is precious.”

Zambito said that on April 20 he was moving some mixed vegetables from Texas.

“It’s still a bit hit and miss due to weather,” he said. “Kale is the big thing today, and not just as a size dressing on salad bars any longer.”