Locally Sourced

R&R Flaim Next Generation Produce

The Flaim Family is now in their fourth generation, family-owned and operated. The company was founded in 1934, by Anthony and Catherine Flaim, in the “New Italy” section of Vineland. Their son Robert Flaim Sr. and his wife Loretta took over the farm and carried on the operation before passing the torch to Robert Jr. and Kevin whom currently run the day-to-day operations with Robert Jr.’s son Ryan.

In 2007, R&R Flaim Next Generation Produce was formed to sell the family’s produce directly to its customers.

In 2012 the New Jersey Department of Agriculture awarded Flaim Farms with the Patrick Mullen Award for excellence in consistent fresh quality and grading. In 2011 Ryan Flaim, was a recipient of the “Forty under Forty” Award recognizing young leaders on the rise throughout the produce industry nationwide.

Bergamo Farms

The Bergamo brothers Paul and Eddie operate their third-generation family farm. They currently cultivate about 150 acres in East Vineland.

Ploch Farms

The history of the Ploch family farm can be traced back to the 1800s when Ryan’s great grandfather moved from Germany to northern New Jersey and started a dairy farm. In 1916, they converted to growing vegetables. With a large family, the Plochs sold the 9-acre farm to divide it up between everyone. Ryan’s father and uncle moved to Vineland in 1973 and bought the land they’re farming today.

Today, Ploch Farms is a cornerstone of the wholesale market in the region. John and his son Ryan farm about 250 acres with a focus on quality. They grow a wide variety of vegetables but are best known for their herbs and leafy greens.

Sheppard Farms (Eastern Fresh)

In 1683, four Sheppard brothers moved to southern New Jersey and began their own vegetable farm. Since then, farming has been a family tradition for many generations of Sheppards. They began farming in their current location on Sayres Neck Road in 1888.

Today, Sheppard Farms is operated by Erwin and Tom, both Cornell University graduates. They farm 1500+ acres, and in peak season employ up to 240 workers. The Sheppards have always taken pride in their finished product and look for ways to continue improvement. In 2010 they began construction on an upgraded packinghouse. In 2015 they upgraded their asparagus packing machinery, which they will expand upon again in 2016.

Eastern Fresh Growers is the sales company for Sheppard Farms, Jersey Legacy Farms, and other farms in the area on a per commodity basis.

MJB Mushrooms

Located in the heart of Mushroom Country— Chester County, Pennsylvania, MJB is a family-owned marketer and packer of fresh quality mushrooms. They represent neighboring mushrooms growers.

WAC Mushrooms is MJB’s white mushroom supplier. Billy Catana was immersed in the mushroom business from a young age, with his grandfather and father. In 1988, he started his own business, WAC Mushrooms. Billy is a smaller grower; he employees 40 workers who carefully hand select each mushroom; WAC moves about 85,ooo cases per week. Tom Masha supplies MJB with crimini and portabella mushrooms. MJB’s primary source for maiitake, oyster, and shiitake mushrooms is a larger grower, Kennett Square Specialties in Kennett Square, PA. The town is dubbed the Mushroom Capital of the World.

Laning Brothers Farms

What began as a small 10-acre sustenance farm with chickens and cows in Fairfield Township, owned by F. Everett Laning Sr. and his wife, Bessie Graves Laning, is now a 1100 acre vegetable farm. Following the passing of F. Everett Laning Sr., Bessie and her two sons F. Everett Laning Jr. and Milton Laning continued farming the 10 acres, continuously acquiring more acreage until they progressively grew into a truck farm of vegetables and other commodities.

Today, Laning Brothers Farms is run by third, fourth, and fitfth generation family members. The farm (now located in both Fairfield and Lawrence townships) employs 15 full-time and 100-120 seasonal workers, farming approximately 350 acres.

Accomplishments include: Highest tomato tonnage in New Jersey, Soil Conservation Awards, and 2008 they were one of the first to become certified for leafy greens through the U.S Department of Agriculture Food Safety Audit.

Laning family members have been active in the community including Cumberland County Board of Agriculture, Fairfield Fire and Rescue, Fairfield Township Committee, Fairfield Township Planning and Zoning Board, Fairfield Township Board of Education, and the local farm cooperatives in Cedarville, Vineland and Landisville.

Greater Tater

Located in Wayland, New York: Greater Tater is a grower and foodservice supplier of premium-quality fingerling, marble, and frying potatoes.

Scapellato

Scapellato Farms is a third-generation family farm operated by uncle and nephew, Pete and Joey. They grow herbs and greens on approximately 200 acres in Newfield, NJ.

Dan Graiff Farms

Dan Graiff Farms is a fourth generation family-owned and operated farm. They take pride in providing the food industry with the highest quality products. All aspects of their business are closely super-vised by family members so that we can ensure the highest quality stan-dards, from production to finished product. Dan Graiff manages the grow-ing and production side, while Jamie is involved in sales and purchasing. Our Food Safety Program is run by Dan’s son Scott (a 5th generation farmer) and Doris (Mom) manages the office.

The Graiffs farm 250 acres in southern New Jersey. They also work closely with other family farms in Florida, California, and Canada to a provide year-round supply. All growers pride themselves on quality and safety, with GMP, GAP, and food safety programs in place.

Graiff’s products are washed, peeled and packed daily in their newly reno-vated facility, under the Five Star Premium Greens and Herbs label. They are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to ensure the safest and highest quality products, which they guarantee 100%. They take pride in being good stewards of the land, using IPM programs and crop rotations to ensure sustainability, as well using 100% recyclable packaging.

Salad Chef

Our local partner Salad Chef has been supplying quality, fresh, and delicious salads since 1975. Their made-to-order, preservative-free salads and salsas taste just like grandma’s.

“If It Isn’t Fresh, It Isn’t Salad Chef.”

Frecon Farms

For 65+ years the Frecon family farm has been a labor of love, focused on providing Boyertown, PA and the surrounding area with fresh fruit to enjoy with the ones they love.

Richard S. Frecon came to the United States and worked a serious of jobs before landing a produce in-spections job in southeastern Pennsylvania. In 1944 he settled in Bucks County and purchased Boyertown Fruit Farms in the Apple Basket of the East. Richard established Frecon Orchards focusing on apple and peach production, revolutionizing packing procedures and growing practices. He and his wife Martha raised 6 children, all of whom have worked for the family business throughout the years. Richard’s mother Mary started a small roadside stand in 1951 selling directly to travelers and passersby. Over the years, this small roadside stand grew into one of eastern Pennsylvania’s first full service retail farm markets.

In 2005 Hank and Steve Frecon and their long-time friend Chris Adukaitis launched their website and Frecon’s Pick Your Own; attracting visitors from all over the tri-state area. They bought Frecon Orchards Outlet and changed the name to Frecon Farms. Today, they continue to pursue retail opportunity and have grown the PYO business with a series of events throughout the year.

Sun Valley Orchards

Founded in the early 1970s, Sun Valley Orchards has grown into one of the largest fruit and vegetable growers, packers, and shippers in New Jersey. This 1,200-acre farm is owned and operated by the Marino family, four generations of farmers who are personally involved in every aspect of the farm— from maintaining the quality of the produce in the fields, to making sure it’s hand harvested, and packed with care.

Sun Valley Orchards has historically been on the cutting edge of technology and practices that help to improve the quality of its produce. It was one of the first farms to use plastic mulch and drip irrigation in their fields. It was also one of the first farms to install the newest state-of-the-art packing line equipment.

Produce consistency , trust, and reliability are the cornerstone of Sun Valley Orchards’ success. When farming runs in your blood for almost 100 years, as it has with the Marino family, customers can trust they’re getting the best quality available.

Cassaday Farms

Cassaday Farms began in 1985 when an Irish immigrant and his wife moved to America and farmed a 100 acre parcel. The farm began with chickens, eggs, and hay used basically for sustaining the Cassaday family. It later grew to include fruits and vegetables which were

harvested for Cassaday’s customers. George Cassaday Farms now have over 1,500 acres of land. Pride of the Irish is the Cassaday label which proudly displays the finest fruits and vegetables in New Jersey.

Formisano Farms

Since 1908 Formisano Farms has been an innovate leader in raising the very best produce. Formisano Farms has four generations of growing, shipping, and broker experience.

They are dedicated to supplying customers with top-quality products and personal service. Their efforts in understanding the needs of individual customers and the pride they put into every package is the foundation of their success.

Basciani Mushroom Farms

There aren’t too many people like us” even among the mushroom-growing families of Kennett Square and its environs, says Michael Basciani. “We’re one of the very few, if not the only, fourth-generation mushroom farmers in the country. Not many make it that long.”

The Basciani saga begins along the Adriatic Sea, in the Italian province of Abruzzi. Even today, the province is hardscrabble country. And it was from here in 1915 that Michael’s grandfather left for a new life. “He started picking mushrooms for the Pratt family in 1915,” says Michael, “just like the immigrants from Mexico who come into Chester County nowadays.” Within five years, the grand old man was in business for himself. Three sons followed him, and one son’s three sons followed in turn—Michael, Richard, and Mario.

You don’t last four generations in a family business without family values being of paramount importance. Hard work is one of those values. “This is not a business where you get a scheduled vacation,” says Basciani. It’s a year-round, wake-up-in-the-dead-of-the-night-to-check-the-temperatures business. It’s labor-intensive, and the workers do some back-breaking work. “You gotta be a people’s person,” Basciani says. “If the workers don’t see you working harder than them, it’s not going to motivate them. You have to be the example!

Larchmont Farms

Larchmont Farms is a fruit farm that has been operating since 1769. They grow an assortment of fruit on 800 acres in Salem County, New Jersey— mostly peaches, nectarines, and apples. Co-owners Tom and Charles Haines are 11th generation growers with a passion for sustainability. Larchmont runs 100% off solar power!

Porch Farms

Porch Farms is a 5 generation family farm in Salem County, New Jersey. They primary grow tomatoes and squash on approximately 150 acres.

Eastern Fresh

In 1683, four Sheppard brothers moved to southern New Jersey and began their own vegetable farm. Since then, farming has been a family tradition for many generations of Sheppards. They began farming in their current location on Sayres Neck Road in 1888.

Today, Sheppard Farms is operated by Erwin and Tom, both Cornell University graduates. They farm 1500+ acres, and in peak season employ up to 240 workers. The Sheppards have always taken pride in their finished product and look for ways to continue improvement. In 2010 they began construction on an upgraded packinghouse. In 2015 they upgraded their asparagus packing machinery, which they will expand upon again in 2016.

Eastern Fresh Growers is the sales company for Sheppard Farms, Jersey Legacy Farms, and other farms in the area on a per commodity basis.

Fifer Orchards

It all began in 1929 when Charles Frederick Fifer moved his family from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia to the fertile lands of Kent County, Delaware pursuing his passion to grow high-quality fruits and vegetables. The moderate climate and hearty, well-draining soil of this agriculturally rich region provided ideal conditions for growing a diverse mix of fruits and vegetables, including: peaches, apples, tomatoes, sweet corn, asparagus, and more. Charles began with 300 acres of land and belief in crop diversification, farmland stewardship, and growing high-quality produce. He understood that farming is inherently a gamble and that having all of your eggs in one basket can lead to disaster. His vision was accurate and this philosophy is what has enabled the farm to weather storms and challenges over the past 95+ years.

Today, Fifer Orchards continues the legacy of Charles Frederick Fifer and his vision. Fourth-generation Fifers continue to grow a diverse mix of high-quality fresh fruits and vegetables.

Huntsinger Farms

Elvin Huntsinger started Huntsinger Farms, Inc. in 1921. The family farm is currently being operated by his daughter Ruth Terwilliger, son-in-law Alan Terwilliger, and his three grandsons John, Stephen, and Neil Terwilliger. Elvin was an innovator in the field of potato growing and packing. He was one of the first to pack potatoes in poly bags in the late 1950s.

Huntsinger Farms is located in Hegins, Pennsylvania where they grow 80 acres of red, white, and golden potato varieties. They also produce potatoes in the fertile muck land around Sodus, New York. They plant, grow, harvest, store, sort, and pack potatoes differently than most American potato operations. They have adopted technology from European agricultural practices to maximize the quality of their finished product.

Huntsinger’s Mission Statement: To provide the consumer a safe and high quality potato product by utilizing sound agricultural and business practices.

Maugeri Farms

Maugeri Farms grows a variety of vegetables on about 600 acres. In 1922 Salvatore “Sam” Maugeri and his wife Alfia came to the US from Sicily and settled in the Woolwich/Swedesboro area. They saved up and purchased their own farm in 1928 and settles on a beautiful farm nestled on the banks of the Oldsman Creek. Salvatore farmed successful for many years and his son Joe took over.

With the help of his wife, Anna, Joe built a prosperous business and purchased a nearby farm. The new location became the main center of farming operations, they leased additional land, and passed the torch was passed to the third generation…

Today, Maugeri Farms is run by Sam and Joe Jr. They have taken the operation to new heights. They currently cultivate 600+ acres around the Oldmans Creek area with rich soils known for producing the sweetest most flavorful produce in the area. From it’s humble beginnings, through three generations and eight decades of family farming, one overriding principle has been the cornerstone of the company’s success: An unwavering commitment to providing the absolute freshest, and highest quality produce around.

Parker Farms

Parker Farms is dedicated to creating solutions for their customer’s produce and logistics needs, generating extraordinary value for our growers and providing a dynamic, challenging and rewarding workplace for our employees.

Dan Schantz Farm

In 1957, Dan and Mildred Schantz purchased a farm about 50 miles north of Philadelphia. At that time, their main crops were fruits and vegetables which they retailed at local farmers’ markets and a road stand. Since then, their focus has shifted to autumn. They grow ap-proximately 1,000 acres of pumpkins, gourds, and Indian corn.

Dan Schantz was selected Master Farmer in Pennsylvania in 1987 a lifetime achievement award. He has served as president of the Marketing & Research Board for Pennsylvania Agriculture.

In 1990, Dan Schantz Farm started shipping painted Pumpkins. Now they offer 10 different painted pumpkin themes with hundreds of designs; everything from display cases to display pallets.

Diamond Blueberries

Variety Farms was started by John R. Bertino in 1925 with eight acres

and one horse. After emigrating to the United States from Italy, he began growing raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries. In 1928, he bought 150 blueberry plants from Whitesbog, which were some of the first

blueberry plants ever propagated. He continued to farm and in the 1940s, John’s son John N. Bertino came aboard. With the help of his son, the farm would eventually grow to around 2000 acres of land. The crops grown at that time were apples, strawberries, and blueberries. John’s son watched the popularity of Blueberries increase drastically, so he decided to start his own label: Diamond Blueberries. Around the 1980s, the farm concentrated on just harvesting blueberries, and currently farms over 700 acres of them.

John N. Bertinos’ three daughters continue the operation today with the fourth generation joining in the family operation. In this constantly

changing industry, Variety Farms Inc strives to remain current with all the growing, harvesting, packing, and safety procedures and to provide

highest quality blueberries.

Butter Valley Harvest

The Ehst Homestead Farm has met the needs of the families who have lived there and the surrounding community for generations. In addition to Butter Valley Harvest, three other extended family members run farming business on the historic property.

Butter Valley Harvest is a family-owned business that uses hydroponics. Ryan Ehst broke grown on the original three bay greenhouse in early 2008 and the first seeds were planted that November.

Hydroponic produce has been found to have higher concentrations of nutrients and minerals than field-grown produce. Hydroponic systems are also better for the environment as they do not use pesticides and use 10-15% less water. Butter Valley recycles the water in their greenhouse and uses geothermal energy to heat their greenhouse during the cooler months (reducing their dependency on propane by 90% and keeping their costs down and reducing their carbon footprint). Butter Valley also keeps their produce in the local community, cutting down on the expense of shipping their produce across the country.

LoSasso Farms

LoSasso Farms is a small second-generation farm run by husband and wife Donnie and Cheryl. They grow blueberries on about 40 acres in Nesco, just outside of Hammonton (the Blueberry Capital of the World).

Rosenberger’s Dairies

Since 1925, Rosenberger’s has produced and delivered the finest line of dairy products, added new innovative products and made them available in a variety of sizes. Adhering to the highest standards of excellence, Rosenberger’s continues to grow and develop new products and packaging.

John Molinelli, Inc.

Farming and Distributing has been in the family for over 100 years. John’s story started with a truck, and time on the farm. John Molinelli started this company in 1974. It took a lot of work but eventually He was able to expand his business. Starting with more trucks, he then went on to get his brokers license and begin to build the network of connections he has today. Eventually John’s son Jonathan joined the picture and together they worked towards purchasing 100 acres of land for their own farm in 2012. This became Ashtyn Leigh Farms, named after John’s granddaughter, where they grow arugula, basil, cilantro, dill, collard greens, kale, swiss chards, and romaine lettuce, escarole, and endive. They also grow eggplant, leeks, and jalapeno.

Summit Harvest, Inc.

Summit Harvest is backed by a personal heritage of traditional family farming. The Pallmans’ old-fashioned work ethic can be traced back to 1920, when Craig and Doug’s great-grandfather Willard E. Pallman began building a prominent farming operation in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Over the generations, through hard work and determination, the Pallman name became synonymous with quality and integrity throughout both the agricultural community and the produce industry.

Since its origins as a tomato packer, Summit Harvest has grown to offer a broad range of additional services. They provide branding, bulk and retail packaging, merchandising, and marketing expertise to local tomato growers.

Today, the fourth generation of the Pallman family adheres to the original core values responsible for past successes, while working diligently and creatively to take produce marketing to new heights.

Hudson River Fruit

Hudson River Fruit Distributers was established in 1963 by Isadore “Izzy” Albinder and his son Harold. Izzy first entered the apple business back in 1932 after emigrating from Russia. He saw an opportunity to broker apples, so he purchased a purchased a push cart and sold apples in the streets of Brooklyn. A time came when Izzy had trouble finding apples of high enough quality. He decided to venture up to the Hudson Valley, and began fostering relationships with apple growers, some of whom they still work with today.

A.T. Buzby Farm

A.T. Buzby Farm is a family farm in rural Salem County, New Jersey. They operate on 170 acres and grows a variety of fresh produce for local markets.

Andrew and Dawn Buzby established the farm in 1981 as a labor of love. This love continues today and has spread to other friends and family who now help on the farm. Buzby is dedicated to producing safe, healthy food in a way that is sustainable environmentally, financially, and socially.

ARC Greenhouses

Located in the heart of South Jersey, ARC Greenhouses specializes in hydroponic lettuces, herbs, and micro greens.

ARC packs their micro greens in 8-oz clamshells under their “Mr. McGregor’s Greens” label. We love the stunning color of their Micro Bulls Blood, Red Amaranth, and Purple Radish!

In addition to micro greens, ARC also grows and packspetite greens, wheat grass, and living herb plants.

McGregor’s greens are grown hydroponically in modern, climate-controlled greenhouses. Their advanced growing systems allow their produce to have strong root systems, vibrant colors and rich taste. Best of all, as McGregor is not limited to a single growing season— their fresh, simple, delicious greens are available all year!

Martin’s Quality Eggs

Martin’s Quality Eggs was founded in 1963 by Lester Martin and his father Ellis. They started out selling eggs from local farms in Lancaster County, and they continue to sell quality farm fresh eggs. With a good quality business foundation, the business has grown to include the 3rd and 4th generations. Martin’s recently moved to a new facility, where they operate their state of the art equipment to wash and grade the farm fresh eggs. The family business is well known for their dependable service and competitive prices. Their customers have come to depend on the fresh eggs with grade “AA” diner quality for the best breakfasts. To keep in step and extend their markets, they offer a full line of egg products and a partial line of dairy products. The egg products come as pasteurized liquid or frozen eggs, and ready-to-serve hard cooked eggs.

Muzzarelli Farms

The original family owned business was started by Charles and Theresa in 1937. Delmo Muzzarelli, was one of Charles and Theresa’s five children raised on the 20-acre vegetable farm. Delmo eventually took over the operation, focusing primarily on sweet potatoes and pickles. In 1980, Delmo’s son, Charlie, and his wife Rita took over the family business as owner and operator of Muzzarelli Farms. Since that time, the farm has increased to over 300-acres. Though Charlie continues to grow sweet potatoes and pickles as his grandfather did, he is quick to say that he does not take “special pride” in these two drops, “I take pride in all my crops.” The farm now raises over two dozen varieties of fruits and vegetables.

Today, Charlie and Rita are blessed to have two children, Charlie Jr. and Dena to carry on the tradition. Under the fourth generation Muzzarellis and their spouses, the family farm has continued to expand and flourish. Charlie and Rita are excited to see what their children and grandchildren will continue to accomplish on the farm that their great grandparents started many years ago.