For the NEPC, Condakes highlights “the possibility of putting solar panels on the roof of the entire market,” which would be a sizeable but energy saving project.
Garden Fresh Salad Company has done its part in the sustainability sphere as well, with its ‘Big Three’ green measures: “All of our wet waste goes to pig farmers, we recycle all cardboard boxes that come in, and we have all LED lighting throughout our warehouses,” shares Burke.
FRESH FORUM
How has business this year compared to last year – what, if anything, has changed?Steven Piazza, Community-Suffolk, Inc.
It’s equal, if not better. We consistently handle the same lines and don’t deviate from the ones we do handle, and try to be better than anyone else in Boston.Anthony Sharrino, Eaton & Eustis Company
Increasing incrementally every year; prices go up and down, nothing has changed though, it’s still Economics 101.Patrick Burke, Garden Fresh Salad Company, Inc.
Overall, it’s the same. It’s busier when the markets are tighter with stuff like we had in April and May. Lettuces were all expensive and tight, which makes it busier. And when it’s more scattered, it tends to be slower. It’s typical supply and demand going on here.Dominic Cavallaro, John Cerasuolo Company, Inc.
It changes every year; it’s up and down. It all depends on the type of year—you just never know.Peter John Condakes, Peter Condakes Company, Inc.
Given all the challenges, we’re holding our own, but we aren’t growing. I’d say it’s about even with last year to maybe slightly down.Richie Travers, Travers Fruit Company, Inc.
We’re rocking along; happy where we are, and with what we’re doing. We always welcome new business and chase after it. We’re almost six years old, and hope it keeps growing every year.Scott Wilson, Wilson Farms, Inc.
We’re packaging more products than previous years, including our own packaged peppers in numerous shapes and sized packs. We introduced unique as well as custom labels, something we do now for customers—and that has helped business.
Modes of Selling
For the Travers Fruit Company, change has meant transitioning from phone calls and faxes to emails and texts. “We use [technology] as it comes forward—whatever our customers are comfortable with,” says Travers.
For Wilson Farms, exploring social media is key. “For retail, we have a large social media presence,” Wilson says, referring to the grower-shipper’s Instagram, Twitter, Face-book, and newsletter platforms. The company is also working on a mobile app, as well as tracking other developments such as online ordering and delivery.
