About Earl's Organic Produce

Earl’s Organic Produce, a leading Bay Area wholesaler of certified organic produce, is located on the San Francisco Wholesale Produce Market. The only 100 percent organic house on the Market, Earl’s is a CCOF certified organic handler. Initially a one man shop, today founder Earl Herrick, employs more than 50 employees, purchases certified organic produce from more than 300 growers and supplies a geographically dispersed customer base of 200 plus retail stores, other distributors, restaurants and neighborhood co-ops.

History
Founder and owner, Earl Herrick opened a single stall on the San Francisco Wholesale Produce Market in 1989. While working as the produce buyer for a Marin based natural foods market, Earl developed relationships with numerous organic growers and a logistical system that allowed him to buy directly from them. Starting his own business allowed Earl to combine his 14 years of retail experience with his knowledge and passion for organically grown produce.

Partnerships: Growers and Retailers
From the beginning, Earl has improved the link between organic growers and retailers. As the connector, Earl’s keeps the information flowing. When the price of lettuce skyrockets due to an ice storm or record rains damage strawberry fields, Earl’s is quick to inform customers and even create point-of-purchase material to keep consumers in the loop.

Growers and retailers must understand their mutual challenges -- Earl’s makes the conversation happen. A more informed retailer, educates consumers and increases respect and demand for organic produce. Growers who deliver quality produce with exceptional post-harvest handling will help retailers and themselves profit.

We partner with more than 300 growers to provide a comprehensive inventory of organic produce. While we always have broccoli in our cooler, chances are we‘ll also have broccoli di cicco or the Spitzenburg apple, an heirloom variety preferred by Thomas Jefferson. To deliver this diverse abundance, we work with growers of all sizes from the larger, geographically diverse growers, like Cal-Organics to smaller family farms, like Tutti Frutti Farms and Balakian Farms.

Like our heirloom tomatoes, our customers come in all shapes and sizes – from the natural foods co-op to the independent grocery store to the regional and national chain stores. Our customers include well known Bay Area retailers, such as Rainbow Grocery and the Good Earth Market, and eateries, such as Lydia’s Organics. Beyond the Bay, we have customers as far north as Arcata, as far south as Santa Cruz and even some scattered across the country. We value each customer for its commitment to organically grown produce and sustainable agriculture.

Warehouse
In 1991, Earl’s moved to a larger warehouse within the Produce Market, doubled the space in 1996 and incorporated the business in 1999. In 2004, we moved to a 21,524 square foot warehouse in the newer annex across the street from the original market. We have four climate specific coolers – extra cold for vegetables, like broccoli and greens, temperate coolers for potatoes and citrus, and kinda cold for apples, plus ample floor space for tropical fruits and tomatoes. Our warehouse buzzes every night as our night crew assembles orders, receives new product, and our trucks prepare for their deliveries. Earl likens our warehouse to a hospital emergency room – our inventory are urgent care patients who need fast care or else they will perish. Our aim is to act quickly and with diligence, to care for our ‘patients’ so they reach their final destination – your grocery store or restaurant – ready for business.

Today our staff of 50 have worked in all aspects of the organic industry as farmers, brokers, and retailers. Our diverse backgrounds help us navigate the evolving industry. We honor the small organic farmers whose integrity, passion, and hard work continue to prove that organic agriculture is not just a fad but a viable, and, of course, sustainable alternative to conventional agriculture.