Success at S. Strock & Co. Based on Honesty, Quality, Relationships

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Success at S. Strock & Co. based on honesty, quality, relationships

October 29, 2014

“All varieties of apples are currently in demand,” said Michael Strock, director of business development for S. Strock & Co. Inc., located at the New England Produce Center in Chelsea, MA. “The old standbys; Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith and McIntosh apples are moving very well. Others, however, are making big inroads, such as the Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, and Pink

[Lady]. MJ Lauria, buying and sales representative for S. Strock & Co., shows off the company’s banner.‘Designer’ apples, as I like

1 / 3 to call them, such as Jazz, Envy, Junami, Lady Alice and Autumn Glory are all the rage, and they are gaining significant sales traction.”

Michael Strock’s great-great grandfather, Samuel Strock, founded S. Strock & Co. Inc. in 1897, shortly after emigrating from Germany. He began by buying local produce and selling it to customers from a horse-drawn wagon. He eventually hired someone to help with deliveries.

“Our roots extend to decades ago, when the market was located at the now historic Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston,” said Strock. “In fact we received our PACA license on September 5, 1930, which is the oldest active PACA license in the produce industry today.”

In addition to having the oldest active PACA license, the company has achieved the highest credit and integrity rating in the Blue Book and in other credit reports, he said.

Strock is joined by family members Rick Strock, company treasurer, Bruce Strock, vice president, and Adam Strock, food safety director. His grandfather, Sam Strock, is the company president.

S. Strock & Co. handles a full line of fresh fruits and vegetables and an extensive organic line. Its line of dozens upon dozens of fresh produce items is updated monthly on its website, www.sstrock.com/products.

The company supplies major supermarket chains along with independent retailers, wholesalers, restaurants and foodservice providers throughout New England. Its team of specialists consistently procures the highest quality products available on the market at all times of the year.

“Our team takes great pride in ensuring that the Strock name is associated with the best produce available,” said Strock. “This holds true with our full line of conventional and organic produce. Our organic program was launched in 2007, and the line has held firmly even throughout the economic recession of the past several years.”

The company’s customers span the entire spectrum of buyers. It services chainstores, foodservice operators and independent retailers in New England and in southern Canada.

S. Strock & Co. is also strongly dedicated to and involved with not-for-profit organizations, such as the Brain Tumor Society and Jimmy Fund Research Fund.

“To us, it is important to give back, especially to organizations that are working toward finding cures and better treatments for some of the most devastating diseases,” said Strock.

“Our success formula is quite simple — honesty and quality, plus a great relationship with customers, suppliers, and coworkers,” he continued. “We stock our warehouses with the best available quality and we have excellent salespeople.”

The company has grown tremendously over the past few decades. It started at NEPC with two bays and today occupies 10, all of which are constantly buzzing with activity.

“My grandfather, Sam, is iconic in how instrumental he has been in putting the company on the right path toward growth and prosperity,” said Strock. “Things in the produce industry have changed tremendously in our more than 100-year history, but one thing has remained constant at S. Strock & Co. — our commitment to help our customers continue to grow with us and thrive well into the future.”

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