Where did Produce Gal come from? We’ve been asked that quite a bit as we started this little venture and it’s a pretty fun story. A little nerdy and goofy , but fun nonetheless. Brian has spent literally his entire life working in or around the fresh produce industry. I met Brian years ago on a blind date through some mutual friends. As our relationship developed, Brian’s name came up in conversations with friends and family, and he became endearingly referred to as “the Produce Guy.” We would attend functions with friends or family, and Brian was always asked what was in season, or why a piece of fruit didn’t taste like it should, or why a vegetable was so expensive, or how something should be ripened or stored… you name it. He has a tremendous love and passion for it and loves talking about the business. 

Eventually, “the Produce Guy” and I got married. One night while I prepared dinner in the kitchen of our first home together, I referred to myself as “the Produce Gal,” and Brian got a funny look on his face. He said, “that should be a company name or a produce brand…”

We didn’t think about it for a while, but we started noticing a trend in society of people who increasingly wanted to know more about produce and how to get back to better tasting produce, produce that tasted the way they remembered from when they were younger.

At the same time, Brian knew several growers who grew great produce but didn’t have a big presence in the market. The industry has become so commercialized with demand for 12-month availability, and as a result we have mass production and long shipping distance. Produce is grown now to look pretty and hold up for long periods of time… often at the expense of flavor.  

From these conversations, our business concept was planted. How do we get shift trends back to consuming produce at peak ripeness and in season, which translates to the best flavor? How do we give everyone access to seasonal produce from smaller farms in regions that have been forgotten by the industry? That’s where we hope Produce Gal can help. We aim to take the guesswork out of what tastes good and what’s in season. 

When you start seeing the Produce Gal brand in your supermarket, give it a try. If you’re a regional grower of fresh fruits or vegetables, give us a call. If you have a unique food or beverage product and want help taking it to market or reaching a wider audience, reach out to us. We are here to help cool new ideas take off and bring long-forgotten products back into the market place. 

It’s a simple idea—let’s get back to “flavor first” in our fresh produce.