In a world of big box stores and chain restaurants, our retail co-op and foodservice customers stand above the fray. Sure, buying status quo, broadline items would be easier for you (and for us). However, it is the passionate pursuit of the unique, the clean-eating and the hard-to-find that makes us, us–and makes you, you! From Garuka Bars made in Vermont, to pudding cups made on a family farm in New Hampshire, to all-natural juices from a 100% women-owned producer in Florida, to pasture-raised New Zealand beef, Black River Produce has a fervor for finding the best foodservice and retail provisions for our New England customers.
Powered by probiotics and a love of traditional fermentation, glass blower turned farmer Allie and her dog Fin started out selling their products in Vermont farmers markets. Allie takes locally grown ingredients and ages them in oak barrels and ceramic crocks to create small batches of traditionally fermented sauerkraut. All of their products are vegan, raw, and vinegar-free to ensure that they deliver the best probiotics to the consumer. All of their supplier farms are located in Southern Vermont, because promoting eco-nomic resilience by keeping the flow of money and job opportunities local is one of their most important missions. Their commitment to quality as well as community is what makes them one of BRP’s shining stars.
This woman-owned and family operated company produces more than 16,000 gallons of all natural citrus juices each year. Their short and simple ingredients lists are familiar words that are easy to pronounce, with no additives, preservatives, or GMOs. The Florida-based juice maker boasts having the smallest carbon footprint in the juice industry, between sourcing locally, using recyclable packaging, and repurposing citrus waste at a nearby cattle farm. While New England weather bars local citrus, we picked Natalie's because their values and eco-focus are much like our own, and the quality of their product is unparalleled.
Life with food allergies can be challenging, but Chelsea and her band of baking mix pioneers are making it so much easier. Their rich baking mixes provide a classic and nostalgic experience with flavors and textures that you won't believe are gluten-free. Their mixes were born out of necessity, when Chelsea was diagnosed with a chronic illness that made her unable to partake in her favorite foods. BRP is proud to distribute Chelsea Approved, where they have made it their mission to help people with stricter eating requirements enjoy locally made, great tasting baked goods.
Every kitchen could use a helping hand here and there due to staffing shortages, unexpected party sizes, or whatever else might have come your way. Don’s Foods has been lightening the load for foodservice kitchens for over 50 years now by providing high-quality premade salads, dips, gourmet cream cheese spreads, entrées and desserts that are made fresh every day. Many of Don’s products even comply with Whole Foods’ standards for clean label products. Don says, “we’re not making anything we wouldn’t happily eat ourselves or serve to our families.”
Nestled behind AR Market on Main Street in Barre, Vermont you’ll find the cure for the common meat: Vermont Salumi. Founder Peter Colman grew up on Vermont’s Cate Farm and spent summers in Umbria, Italy, with his father’s family. He found himself inspired to learn how to make prosciutto simply because he enjoyed it so much. He was able to learn salumi-making techniques and centuries-old traditions from Norcini, famed butchers of Umbria, and bring those skills back to Vermont.
The Bites Company has reimagined the traditional biscotti cookie to make it more appetizing, and more fun to eat. Cut into rounds and baked not once, but twice! Organic. Kosher. Peanut free and preservative free. Available in 4.5 ounce bags or 1.25 ounce grab-n-go packs. The Bites Company is 100% woman owned.
Sometimes you just need that one exotic, quirky little item to take your dishes from ordinary to extraordinary. That’s where Paris Gourmet, importer of specialty foods, comes in. Their staff of chef technicians conduct extensive research and development of products to find the best the world has to offer. Cacao Noel and Ravifruit Purees are just a few of the premium brands available in Paris Gourmet’s line that are available on your Black River Produce delivery truck.
What's wrong with ugly potatoes? Nothing! Uglies makes chips out of potatoes that may be considered too large, too small, or too blemished to be used for regular sale. Sometimes the potatoes are perfectly acceptable, but a farmer has a surplus and needs to sell their potatoes. Adopting these "ugly" potatoes to make tasty, kettle-cooked potato chips helps reduce waste and fight hunger. These Pennsylvania potato chip makers have rescued over 5 million pounds of potatoes since 2017, are gluten-free, non-GMO, kosher, and upcycled certified, making them a perfect BRP companion.
Husband-and-wife team, Giacomo & Jennifer have set out to make what they call “farm pasta,” which is handcrafted, sustainable, and made in Vermont with farm-raised Vermont ingredients including their signature blend of organic wheat. They use eggs from their very own flock of pasture raised hens that have been fed certified organic, soy-free feed, and most of the vegetables used in their kitchen are grown on their own farm. Ingredients that they can’t produce themselves are either organically grown and locally sourced or come from producers who are part of the Slow Food movement.
This veteran-owned, health-focused producer is revolutionizing freeze-dried foods using locally sourced, ecologically grown ingredients. Wellness Croft uses their advanced food processing platform to not only champion regional New England economic development, but also align with their deep commitment to sustainability. They even print the source farm on each package of freeze-dried fruit snacks.
