The Grant J. Hunt Company, an 82-year old, 3rd generation company is pleased to announce the opening of Grant J. Hunt Company-South with offices in Scotts Valley, CA and Rio Rico, AZ on August 1st, 2016. The new company is uniting with many former employees of Bay Area Produce, Inc. whose principal owners are retiring in 2016.
The Grant J. Hunt Company is a fresh fruit and vegetable distributor and shipper’s agent for a wide range of products including apples, pears, berries, potatoes, onions, kiwifruit, citrus, stone fruit, cranberries, cherries and several more seasonal items. The new arrangement greatly expands the overall Grant J. Hunt Company product portfolio by adding tomatoes, beans, squash, chili peppers, avocadoes, bell peppers, corn, cucumbers and eggplant to the mix. The majority of these products are imported from Mexico.
The Rio Rico, AZ distribution center and sales office is responsible for all products imported into the U.S. and helps distribute products throughout North America. The warehouse has state-of-the-art food safety practices and is certified by a leading third party audit company. The sales focus of this office is East of both the Southwest and the Pacific Northwest. The Scotts Valley, CA office focuses on West coast sales. Bay Area Produce was known for their vast array of product expertise in West Mexico and many other growing regions and customers will continue to enjoy the seamless quality control and logistical support they had come to know over the last 30 years.
According to company President, Grant M. Hunt, “We are excited to launch the Grant J. Hunt Company South offices. Over the years, we’ve kept our eyes and ears open for a strong veggie program, and we’ve always respected and admired the business and reputation of Bay Area Produce. As soon as we started discussing this proposal, we knew it was a great fit for both companies. Having an office and distribution center in the Rio Rico and Nogales region is what is needed to provide North American customers the quality they are looking for when it comes to imports. The team has an outstanding reputation of premium quality across all products.”
Bob Loyst, General Manager of Grant J. Hunt Company South stated, “I’m pleased we are now under the Grant J. Hunt Company umbrella, a category leader with impeccable integrity. We’ve brought a team with nearly 500 years of combined experience to add to the Company’s vast offerings and we look forward to continued business growth. Whether it was their national and international cherry programs, their involvement with Tajin seasonings, or the fact that Grant and his father Jim Hunt are one of only two father & sons to ever be chairmen of PMA are a few examples that set them apart.”
The Grant J. Hunt Company is headquartered in Oakland, CA (along with Oakport Transportation Services, Inc., their logistical services provider) and has offices in Yakima, WA and Kirkland, WA in addition to the new offices in Scotts Valley, CA and Rio Rico, AZ. For more information visit them at www.grantjhunt.com and you can follow many of their exploits in the produce world @cherrydude on Twitter. A dedicated website for Grant J. Hunt Company South is now under construction.
Source: The Grant J. Hunt Company
