On The Front Lines, MIKE ROBERTS of Harps Provides Glimpse of What’s Happening

Jim Prevor's Perishable Pundit Produce April 15, 2020

Mike Roberts
Director of Produce Operations
Harps Food Stores, Inc.
Springdale, Arkansas

CURRENT ISSUES

Q: What items are currently selling and which are not selling as much — and why? What is driving sales of these items? How do you anticipate this will change in the next few weeks and what are you doing and planning as a result?

A: Potatoes, onions and carrots are leading the way. Citrus came on strong last week. People are cooking at home more and snacking at home more as well. I anticipate this trend to continue.

Q: With a downturn in foodservice demand currently, how have you as a retailer been able to respond to supply your customers? For example, are you selling more produce via online?

A: Instacart orders are up significantly.

Q: What is most important to you at this time in working with your grower/shippers/wholesalers?

A: Keeping the strong partnerships we have.

Related Articles

Produce

Miraculously Spared From Puerto Rico’s Devastating Hurricanes and Earthquake, Caribbean Produce Exchange Overcame Years of Tribulation to Prepare for Moments Like Today… Now Administers $ 107-Million Farmers to Families Food Box Program

Jim Prevor's Perishable Pundit Produce May 20, 2020

The USDA Farmers to Families Food Box program has quickly turned controversial. Although we have little doubt that there will not be uniform perfection, government contracts, which typically go to low bidders, always run this risk. …

Produce

Be in the Room Where it Happens… Inaugural Global Grape Summit Co-Located With London Produce Show Gathers The Best and The Brightest Building the Grape Industry of Tomorrow

Jim Prevor's Perishable Pundit Produce May 30, 2019

When we launched PRODUCE BUSINESS magazine back in 1985, we committed to an identity — that our role would be to “Initiate Industry Improvement.” To help the industry wrestle with issues such as these, we are launching a new event, the Global Grape Summit and co-locating it with The London Produce Show and Conference. The idea is to gather the best and the brightest thought- and practice-leaders of the global grape trade to share information, ideas and build a brighter future for the industry. …