At the storied Hunts Point Market in the Bronx, N.Y., space is at a premium, which is why longtime tenant E. Armata — a fourth-generation, family-operated produce wholesaler — is celebrating its recent acquisition of M&R Tomato Distributors, also of Hunts Point Market.
M&R Tomato Distributors Inc., a distributor and wholesaler of fresh produce, was three units and six doors, says Michael Armata of E. Armata. With the acquisition, E. Armata now has a total of 28 units in the market or about 70,000 square feet of temperature-controlled, refrigerated storage, he says.
“We have a lot of distribution orders coming in for our trucking business. Between setting those up, putting them out on delivery and taking care of all the business on the walk, we really needed more space to accomplish more and take care of more customers,” Armata told The Packer. “Acquiring M&R means we're able to establish a larger footprint here at Hunts Point and fit more in the facility so we can service everybody properly.
“The space also gives us the opportunity to pull even more volume from our shippers when they need to move or are backed up with product — that is a crucial time for us as they are relying on us to move the volume and do so at a reasonable price,” Armata continued. “We have orders that are booked weeks in advance and orders placed same day. Both require and deserve the same amount of attention. With this added space we will be able to load orders faster for our customers and take more volume from our shippers.”
Michael Armata (Photo courtesy E. Armata)
In business for over 100 years, E. Armata supplies wholesalers, restaurant and foodservice operators, and retailers — both large and small — with a host of fresh produce items including tomatoes, berries, potatoes, salad greens, herbs, tropicals, specialties and more. It offers customers well-known fresh produce brands and fruit and vegetables from its own E. Armata label.
E. Armata, which took over the former M&R space in mid-July, expects the expansion will allow it to better serve its customers as well as showcase a broader range of fresh produce items.
“There are so many produce items now,” Armata said. “It's not like you're just selling lettuce — you're selling many different types of leafy greens, all of which you need to be able to show your customers and supply them with. So, as times have changed, you need to have the space to show people what you've got.
“[The acquisition] really increases our footprint in the market and should really help with serving customers — both our existing customers as well as M&R customers who we'd like to do business with,” Armata added. “M&R had relationships with people for many, many years, and we want to continue to grow with them.”
Having been a predominantly tomato-focused wholesaler, M&R's business complements E. Armata's robust tomato program.
“Tomatoes are one of the biggest items that we carry across the board, with all the different packages and different varieties of tomatoes,” Armata said. “The hothouse and field-grown guys all do a really good job — everybody has elevated their tomato game, and we're seeing some just really beautiful products coming out now.”
Armata also sees the acquisition helping to streamline operations — both “on the walk” at Hunts Point and on the street with its fleet of delivery trucks.
“The additional space should help tremendously with getting orders out, as well as help get deliveries out faster,” Armata said. “Having this additional space is going to allow us to carry more product in the store and to be able to fully take care of people in the best way we can. It allows us to continue to grow our trucking business as well as take care of the people on the street — because we don't ever want to take away from that.”