Locally grown focus with new Mastronardi Produce greenhouse
Meijer started their rapport with Mastronardi Produce, located in Coldwater, Michigan, 40 years ago. Currently, they provide Meijer with millions of pounds of produce a year.
"Meijer is the longest-running U.S. customer we have," said Paul Mastronardi, president of Mastronardi Produce. "It goes back to my father and grandfather."
The expanded partnership between the two comprises of greenhouse efforts for tomatoes and peppers. The tomato greenhouse, which started in 2013, enables Meijer to offer fresh tomatoes 52 weeks out of the year right in Michigan.
In the greenhouse, the tomatoes are grown off vines lifted from the ground, which enables harvesting during the winter. The greenhouse is more than 25-feet tall and features an energy curtain inside that draws across the plants after the sun goes down to contain the heat.
Mastronardi Produce's latest addition is a greenhouse in Coldwater to provide peppers year round. It means Meijer will be the first grocer to get peppers offseason within the state.
Suter said the kind of relationship Meijer has with Mastronardi Produce is a boon for the local economy. Statewide, Meijer spends over $80 million in produce alone -- making the retailer one of the largest purchasers of fruits and vegetables in its Midwest footprint.
Currently, Meijer conducts business with over 100 local farmers. Additionally, Meijer supports an estimated 200 apple growers in Michigan. Some of them have even supplied Meijer for more than six generations.
Source: mlive.com