“In order to bring the very best products to our customers, we are constantly searching for great growing environments,” says Brian Klumpp with North Bay Produce. The company found a new growing environment in UniSpice, a beautiful farm in Guatemala specializing in French Green Beans, Snow Peas, Sugar Snap Peas, and Brussels Sprouts. With UniSpice did they not only find a new growing environment, the partnership has also resulted in the addition of a new vegetable variety for North Bay; Brussels sprouts.
View of Guatemala farm.
Peeled Brussels sprouts
In partnering with this farm, North Bay states it can bring customers the freshest and best tasting French beans year-round. Snow Peas and Sugar Saps are available from December through June, while Brussels sprouts are available October through the first of March. The Brussels sprouts are offered already peeled. As a result, consumers and food preparers are able to utilize the entire product.
Planned growing cycles
What is unique about UniSpice is that it specializes in planned growing cycles which offer a “grown just for you” experience. The controlled farm only plants orders to customer specifications as a group, ensuring consistency. Additionally, being grown in the highlands of Guatemala, the high altitude and cooler nights increase their brix for a sweeter taste. These crops are then hand-packed at the farm, so the products are uniform in size making them easy for portion control and in recipes.
French Bean sprouts.
Imported directly to USDA Certified Cold Treatment Facility
In order to maintain the freshness of these commodities, North Bay Produce imports the products directly to their MidAmerica Warehouse in Mascoutah, Illinois. This state-of-the-art warehouse is strategically located in the middle of the United States so that 90 percent of the population of North America can be reached within 18 hours or less by truck. Additionally, this facility has one of only twelve USDA Certified Cold Treatment Facilities in the United States and only one of two adjacent to an airport runway. “The combination of these great products and the logistical advantage of the MidAmerica Warehouse, allows us to deliver the products to retailers and food service companies considerably sooner than competitors.”