ADS Produce Expands Broccoli Acreage in Push for Year-Round Supply

ADS Produce is expanding broccoli production in North Carolina and the Midwest as the company works to create a more consistent year-round supply program and reduce reliance on any single growing region.

The company, parent of Hapco Farms, Freshouse, Barnwood Valley Farms and MR Farms, now grows approximately 7,450 acres of broccoli across Florida, Maine, Indiana, North Carolina and South Carolina.

By staggering production among those areas, ADS aims to move from one growing region to another as seasons change, reducing gaps in supply for retail and foodservice customers.

“Our goal is zero supply gaps throughout the year,” said Eric Scannelli, COO of ADS Produce. “By expanding our acreage across multiple growing regions, we can provide greater consistency while reducing the risks associated with relying on any one production area.”

The company is making additional investments in North Carolina as production expands there.

ADS is increasing its grower base and doubling post-harvest chilling capacity to keep pace with customer demand and changing requirements.

The company also has been investing in equipment designed to support a shift toward iceless broccoli.

Approximately 90% of ADS Produce’s broccoli is now shipped without ice. Hydro-cooling systems at the farm rapidly remove field heat before the broccoli is moved into refrigerated trucks.

“A majority of our customers are now asking for iceless broccoli,” Scannelli said. “We have the equipment at the farm level to cool the broccoli quickly and keep it at the right temperature without the need for ice.”

The change can also reduce freight costs because shipments no longer include the additional weight of ice.

“This also means less weight on the truck, which helps lower freight costs, something everyone is looking for in today’s market,” Scannelli said.

Location is another important part of the company’s production strategy.

With farms positioned near major markets along the East Coast and in the Midwest, ADS says it can deliver broccoli to most key markets within 24 hours of harvest. That can shorten transportation time while helping maintain freshness and shelf life.

The expansion comes as produce companies increasingly diversify growing regions to protect supply programs against weather, disease and other disruptions.

Broccoli can be particularly sensitive to temperature and field conditions, making access to multiple production regions valuable when one area encounters problems.

For retailers and foodservice operators, year-round programs also simplify procurement by reducing the number of seasonal transitions that must be managed with different suppliers.

ADS is positioning its expanded acreage and infrastructure as a way to provide that continuity while responding to customer preferences for iceless product and lower transportation costs.

The company will showcase its broccoli program and introduce customers to growers during the International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce & Floral Show in Orlando.