The Commonwealth of Virginia has a well-developed agricultural sector. That’s why customers and businesses have access to a wide selection of fresh produce. As fruits and vegetables are one of the main food groups, they are used extensively by businesses. B2B sales of wholesale produce in Virginia are done by restaurants, grocery stores, and businesses in the hotel industry. In this post, we’ll shed some light on the agricultural sector of Virginia and share details about some of the major distributors of wholesale produce in Virginia. Make sure to also check out other articles from this series like the ones on Richmond coffee roasters and wholesale seafood in Virginia Beach.
Key takeaway: Virginia’s well-developed agricultural sector is the reason why there are multiple local distributors of wholesale vegetables and fruits. They usually partner with local growers and manufacturers.
The Produce Industry in Virginia
With more than 43,000 farms across the state, there’s a wide variety of vegetables and fruits growing in Virginia. A large portion of the agricultural sector is focused on growing wheat, corn, soybeans, and other products used by animal feed manufacturers. Nevertheless, many farmers specialize in growing fresh vegetables, herbs, and other high-demand products. In recent years, customers’ focus has shifted towards organic and eco-friendly vegetables and fruits. That’s why both farmers and microgreens and produce distributors have started offering more products from this category.
In addition to growing fresh produce, some farms also sell meat products and dairy goods like milk and butter. The increased demand for meat cuts from grass-fed cattle has helped many local farmers increase their profit markups.
Products Sold by Distributors of Wholesale Produce in Virginia
It’s common for suppliers of wholesale produce in Virginia to offer not only fruits and vegetables but also other goods that businesses need. Here’s a list of some of the product subcategories offered by produce wholesalers.
- Fruits;
- Vegetables;
- Microgreens;
- Herbs;
- Nuts and different types of nut butter;
- Imported vegetables and fruits;
- Pre-cut vegetables and salad mixes;
- Preserved products like frozen vegetable mixes, canned goods, jams, and jellies;
- Juices;
- Various types of grains and legumes like rice, corn, peas, and beans;
- Flour, oil, vinegar, and other staple products.
Many business owners wish to work with large suppliers that can offer wholesale products in multiple categories. That’s why some companies partner with broadline distributors. The main benefit of choosing them instead of specialized produce wholesalers is that they can be the one-stop shop for your business. However, large distributors usually offer less flexibility and have higher minimum order quantities (MOQ) compared to produce suppliers.
A lot of farmers offer wholesale distribution services as well. This helps them eliminate intermediaries and increase their profit margins. Furthermore, businesses that buy directly from farms can also have better communication and negotiating leverage compared to buying from wholesalers. Food service businesses or other companies also partner with farmers that offer contract growing services.
Produce Vendors in Virginia
Most major food suppliers like Sysco and US Foods have distribution centers in Virginia. They offer a wide range of fruits, vegetables, and other food groups ordered by grocery stores or the restaurant industry. Below we’ll share some details about other alternatives to these big players that you might consider when choosing a distributor of wholesale produce in Virginia.
Keany Produce & Gourmet
With two warehouses in Virginia and one in Maryland, the company is among the biggest distributors of wholesale in the Mid-Atlantic region. Keany Produce & Gourmet offers a wide range of fruits, vegetables, and processed products like salad mixes and frozen vegetables. Furthermore, they are also a preferred supplier of Virginia gourmet food, dairy goods, kitchen essentials, meat cuts, eggs, and other miscellaneous products. The company partners with multiple local farms and manufacturers of various products.
Known for: Being one of the biggest distributors of wholesale produce in Virginia.
Blue Ridge Produce
Based in Elkwood, VA, the company works primarily in the Virginia Piedmont area. Blue Ridge Produce partners with growers of fruits, vegetables, and other crops and sells these goods to restaurant businesses, grocery chains, and companies in the food service sector.
Known for: Their primary focus is on organically-grown vegetables and fruits.
Cavalier Produce
Although the name of the company suggests its commitment to sales of wholesale produce in Virginia, the business offers a variety of other products such as dairy goods, seafood, and specialty food at wholesale prices. Since its establishment in 2001, Cavalier Produce has been a reliable wholesaler for seafood restaurants, retailers, institutions, and various other businesses that wish to buy wholesale produce.
Known for: Their customer-oriented approach and being a reliable partner for both growers and buyers of wholesale produce in Virginia.
Wood's Produce Company
With a wide selection of more than 1,200 items, the company is a one-stop shop for businesses in need of wholesale produce in Virginia. In addition to offering quality fruits and vegetables, Wood's Produce Company also specializes in wholesale sales of eggs, jar goods, packaging goods, and candy. The company has been family-owned and operated since 1987 and their focus has been to provide a combination of freshness and friendly customer service.
Known for: Being one of the leading perishable foods wholesalers in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Roanoke Fruit and Produce Company
With more than 100 years of history, the Roanoke Fruit and Produce Company is one of the oldest distributors of wholesale produce in Virginia. The company is focused on purchasing quality vegetables, fruits, specialty food products, and dairy goods from local farms in the Roanoke Valley. They partner with restaurant managers, local grocers, hospitality businesses, and institutions that search for quality and fresh produce.
Known for: Its focus on quality and being one of the oldest suppliers of wholesale produce in Virginia.
Frequently Asked Questions about Wholesale Produce in Virginia
Whether you wish to know how to sell produce wholesale or how to find suppliers of Richmond wholesale meat, there are tons of useful information regarding different niche markets on our website. Below are the answers to some common questions about wholesale produce in Virginia.
What Fruits, Vegetables, and Crops Are Grown in Virginia?
The Virginia agricultural sector is often associated with tobacco. It’s one of the main crops grown by Virginia farms. The majority of the agricultural industry is focused on livestock and dairy farming. That’s why soybeans, corn, wheat, and hay are among the top farm commodities in Virginia. Fruits and vegetables that are grown in large quantities in Virginia include apples, peanuts, and grapes. Virginia’s fertile soil is suitable for a wide variety of vegetables and fruits such as tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, herbs, peaches, and pumpkins.
Do Businesses Buy Wholesale Produce from Markets in Virginia?
Yes. Although produce markets in Virginia are primarily focused on D2C retail sales, a lot of businesses might also purchase from produce markets. The main benefit of buying from vendors at produce markets is that you can examine their stock. The fruits and vegetables they offer are often more sustainable as they are primarily local. Companies that wish to find suppliers of wholesale produce in Virginia might visit farmers’ markets in order to communicate with vendors regarding a long-term partnership.
What Are the Trends in Produce and Farming?
Unsurprisingly, the main trend in farming is sustainability. That includes better water management and reduction of the ecological footprint. The agricultural sector is also trying to answer the increasing demand for organic produce and meat from grass-fed animals. Another produce industry trend is related to increased sales of locally-grown products from family-owned farms. This way, customers support their local communities and reduce the need for expensive transportation and storage. Both businesses and consumers strive to reduce their food waste which is especially high in perishable goods such as vegetables and fruits.
BlueCart: The Ultimate Solution for Wholesale Produce Suppliers
Both family-owned farms and large agricultural companies can benefit from BlueCart’s solutions. With the help of our software, distributors can easily manage prices, create eCommerce catalogs, and find new customers. Schedule your free demo today and witness the power of BlueCart’s solutions for food distributors in Virginia.