DNO Produce Ships Boxes of Produce Direct to Consumers
COLUMBUS, OH - The food and grocery industry is proving our strength is in our community. As long as we continue to lock arms with our fellow produce providers and buyers, the coronavirus crisis becomes more of a challenge—complete with strategies and solutions—rather than an obstacle. DNO Produce is one of our industry’s supply-side members showcasing what we can accomplish when we lean on our partners.
“As a result of the development of COVID-19, we’re seeing relationships with retailers and communities that we’ve never had before,” Jeremy Taylor, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, shared with me. “DNO Produce has a central location in Columbus to help retailers in the Great Lakes area fill product daily. We’re being extremely flexible and nimble, and it’s proving to be a big help for our retailers."
Like many in the industry, DNO Produce has also faced changes to its supply chain, with flexibility proving to be the company’s most crucial ally.
“Commodity markets are day-to-day, with nearly every item fluctuating in pricing and availability. We’ve been flexible and altered our sourcing from our coastal shippers in order to help our customers and partners move inventory,” Jeremy explained. “Many of our foodservice partners were left without an outlet, so we felt it was our duty as their partner to help them through this time. It’s only right.”
On the consumer-side, DNO Produce is also proving itself to be a crucial partner. The distributor has begun packing new products like bagged potatoes, apples, citrus, soup kits, stew mixes, and kid-friendly bags, which are then delivered to community feeding sites and even directly to consumer homes.
“DNO is more fortunate than most in this crisis, so we wanted to help our communities affected by school shutdowns. For $25, consumers can receive a box of produce delivered to their homes, and we’ll also donate fresh produce to a family in need,” Jeremy told me. “Our associates pack all of the product in our USDA facility and send it out in vans across Central Ohio.”
DNO Produce’s efforts are a further testament to the charitable mindset of those in fresh produce, with its team setting an example that many are sure to follow. As more in the fresh produce industry tread the path DNO Produce is forging, AndNowUKnow will continue to report.
