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Recently, we had the privilege of meeting Dale Yates and Tim Phillippe at West Grove’s Yates Produce to learn about the ways their business can help provide a steady supply of high quality produce to KCG.
In 1982, using a pickup truck that doubled as a family vehicle, Dales Yates began distributing Kennett Square mushrooms to restaurants and grocery stores. Yates Produce has grown sustainably over the last 42 years into the incredible full-line produce business it is today. In its 13,000 sq. ft. facility, with 6 temperature-controlled rooms, Yates receives and sends out mouth-watering fruits and vegetables like the ones pictured here.
  
Yates now buys fresh local produce from 200-300 farmers in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey and distributes it to independent grocery stores, schools, and institutions – with next day delivery service.
We are doubly blessed to live in this area of abundant, healthy food and to have access to a well-respected distributor with a friendly and knowledgeable staff and a state-of-the-art facility. KCG will be fortunate to work with Yates when we open our doors. Dale Yates understands the wholesale produce business and is personal friends with many of the farmers. He will help KCG sell produce at a reasonable price while honoring the many farmers with whom he has long-standing relationships.
And we, KCG’s Member-Owners, can look forward to an array of carrots, melons, tomatoes, lettuce, and, of course, mushrooms of truly delectable quality.
Cantaloupe ready for stores
 
Jersey blueberries and sales manager Tim Phillippe
One of the operation’s temperature controlled storerooms: “hot” rooms are 50°F, cold ones are 35°F. There is a ripening room and a room with drainage for holding produce that comes to Yates iced, such as broccoli.
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