Fresh vegetables are one of the most bought products from grocery stores and one of the most used ingredients in cooking. That’s why the Greater New York area has a well-developed and competitive niche market for fresh produce. Distributors of wholesale produce in NYC purchase their products directly from farms or from some of the cooperative markets. Furthermore, as one of the major ports in the US, New York is where a lot of fruits and vegetables grown across the world are delivered. Many of the distributors of wholesale produce in NYC also offer subscriptions and other services aimed at individuals or households with busy lifestyles. In this article, we’ll shed some light on the retail and B2B sales of produce in New York. We’ll also share a list of some of the top suppliers of wholesale produce in NYC. If you’re a business owner looking for reliable wholesalers, make sure to check our posts on meat distributors in NYC and coffee suppliers in New York.
Key takeaway: New York is where the largest produce market in the US is located – the Hunts Point Produce Market. The large demand for fresh fruits and vegetables is fueling the industry. Most suppliers of wholesale produce in NYC source their products from local farms.
The Produce Sector in New York
Although New York is rarely associated with vegetables and fruits (besides the obvious nickname – Big Apple), the state of New York is a leading producer of various agricultural products. The upstate region is where many farms are located. Most wholesalers partner directly with farms from the rural areas of New York or other neighboring states. Although most farms are focused on dairy products, a large volume of crops, vegetables, and fruits are produced in the area as well. Fresh produce is one of the growing produce industry trends and this has helped farms that offer seasonal vegetables and fruits easily sell their production to broadline distributors and suppliers of wholesale produce in NYC.
The Hunts Point Produce Market
Markets play an important role in the food sector of New York. In fact, many chefs and business owners prefer to personally visit seafood, meat, or produce markets in order to inspect their goods and communicate directly with vendors. The Hunts Point Produce Market in the Bronx is the largest produce market in the US. With its 1 million square feet, it is the place where the majority of businesses in New York and other nearby areas buy wholesale produce. There are dozens of vendors that offer a wide variety of products for restaurant businesses, grocery stores, or specialty food retailers.
One of the reasons why markets have become a vital part of the food distribution network in the city is that they give their clients the chance to personally pick products and customize orders. Furthermore, Hunts Point is an area with a lot of cooperative markets and food vendors. Ergo, businesses looking to find suppliers of meat, fish, beverages, or other products can easily do so.
Products Sold by Distributors of Wholesale Produce in NYC
Distributors in the metropolitan area aim to offer a wide variety of products and to become the one-stop shop for restaurants and other businesses. Here are the main categories of products they offer.
- Fruits;
- Vegetables;
- Herbs;
- Microgreens;
- Exotic and specialty produce;
- Canned fruits and vegetables;
- Frozen fruits and vegetables;
- Salad mixes and other pre-cut options;
- Juices;
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Suppliers of Wholesale Produce in NYC
As fruits and vegetables are among the most used ingredients, there are multiple microgreens and produce distributors across the Greater New York area. In addition, some businesses prefer to conduct wholesale sales directly at The Hunts Point Produce Market. Below we’ve shared some of the well-known produce suppliers.
Riviera Produce
Based in the Greater New York area, the company delivers goods across the tri-state area. They work with dozens of local farms and offer a wide variety of products. Riviera Produce focuses on sourcing high-quality products from family-owned farms and offering reliable deliveries across New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Known for: Being a reliable distributor of wholesale produce in NYC and other cities since 1993.
D’Arrigo New York
The company is among the known produce distributors in The Bronx. Since its establishment in 1948 as D’Arrigo Bros Co. of New York, it has grown exponentially. Over the years, the business has grown and acquired multiple other vendors. Currently, they have over 112,000 sq ft of refrigerated space at the Hunts Point Produce Market.
Known for: One of the largest suppliers of wholesale produce in NYC with more than 75 years of history in the market.
Purvey’d
The company is a reliable wholesaler of fresh produce in Queens. Besides fruits and vegetables, Purvey’d also offers herbs and dry goods such as nuts, eggs, supplies, and more.
Known for: The variety of fresh produce options they offer for businesses and their commitment to flexibility.
Z-A Produce
From fresh cuts to organic produce, the company can offer multiple varieties for their customers. They offer a combination of high-quality produce and reliable services, including emergency deliveries.
Known for: Their fast delivery within 12 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions about Wholesale Produce in NYC
Whether you’re interested in finding out more about the wholesale products sector or reading about the trends in the B2B eCommerce trade, you’ll find lots of information on our website. Below we have answered some commonly asked questions about the produce sector in New York.
Are Fruits and Vegetables Cheaper in New York?
The highly competitive produce market in New York is one of the reasons why fruits and vegetables are often cheaper in the city compared to other areas of the country. Furthermore, many owners of fruit stands purchase from markets for wholesale produce in NYC like the Hunts Point Produce Market. The low wholesale prices at these markets allow them to sell their goods at lower prices. The high demand fueled by the large population of New York means that these small businesses are able to sell most of the fresh produce they stock and have little losses due to food waste.
How Big Is New York’s Agricultural Sector?
New York is one of the main agricultural states in the US. It has a well-developed agricultural industry and is among the leading states in the production of yogurt, milk, cheese, wine, apples, cabbage, peas, and other products. The dairy industry is the largest subcategory of the agricultural sector. That’s why there are multiple dairy distributors in NYC and the tri-state area.
The majority of farms are located in upstate New York and most of them are family-owned. In recent years, a growing number of farms have focused on organic farming as the demand for meat, dairy, and produce from organic and sustainable sources has increased substantially.
Can You Sell Homemade Food and Produce in New York?
Yes. Cottage food laws in the state of New York allow producers of cottage food to sell their goods from home or online. New York has some of the most liberal cottage food regulations. The state allows producers to sell both retail and wholesale cottage food to businesses in the restaurant industry, grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and other companies. However, cottage food may not be sold across state lines. Thus, those who wonder how to sell produce wholesale or retail from their home should be careful about the shipping address of the receiver.
Quality Software for Distributors of Wholesale Produce in NYC
From restaurant managers to suppliers of wholesale seafood in NYC, BlueCart is the reliable software solution for businesses that wish to optimize the ordering process. Our SaaS platform has multiple features that allow both distributors and their customers to automate various tasks.