IMMOKALEE, FL - As we reported last month, Lipman Family Farms is strengthening its supply chain capabilities and expanding its product portfolio. With peak summer season approaching fast, I touched base with Chief Executive Officer Elyse Lipman to learn more about the ways in which the company is growing.
Lipman has been very strategic in its regional expansion planning. How does this benefit your customers during the summer?
Elyse Lipman, Chief Executive Officer, Lipman Family Farms: "This secures domestic supply even during the transitional months, which provides surety of supply and accessibility of supply. It provides local opportunities for our customers and consumers, offering promotional opportunities and an opportunity to tell the farmer’s story, bringing consumers closer to where their food comes from. We have the opportunity to support local growers in their respective regions. This provides ample opportunities to tell the farmer’s story, as well as support small, family-owned businesses and share thorough practices, such as food safety standards, packing capabilities, and marketing support."
Can you provide more details regarding the quality and availability of the listed programs?
EL: "Our newest farms in Tennessee will be supplying Lipman round tomatoes and Roma tomatoes during the summer season. We are optimistic of great quality and availability, even as we faced months of clean up and repairing from the fall season hurricanes that struck the area. We have come back stronger than ever and have great people at the TN farms dedicated to harvesting a strong crop this summer."
What efforts went into rebuilding after the hurricane?
EL: "There was an amazing dedication from our team to overcome the devastation caused by the hurricanes back in the fall. First and foremost, we supported our people and dedicated time to ensure our teams were safe and secure. Our facilities outside of Tennessee and North Carolina sent truckloads of perishables and other essentials to those affected communities.
We cleaned up what had been laid and prepared for the season ahead, which the storm had blown away. We then replanted and relaid for the season ahead."
Are there additional plans for expansion we can tease to our readership?
EL: "We are launching a fresh-cut division at our California repack facility, and there’s room to expand in all divisions of our supply chain, including value-added."
We’ll be keeping tabs on this new facility, as well as any other exciting plans Lipman Family Farms has in the works!
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Lipman Family Farms
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