Demand for organics is growing more slowly in the Midwest than other regions, according to Sam Maglio, president of The Maglio Companies, headquartered in Milwaukee. “Overall, organics make up slightly less than 10 percent of U.S. produce consumption according to Nielsen
Perishbles. In the Midwest, we see this number at less than 5 percent and here, locally, it probably runs in the 3 percent range.” Nevertheless, he’s optimistic about future growth. “I believe we’re at the beginning of the runway for organics in the central Midwest region.”
“Cabbage is the main fresh market commodity grown within a short distance of Milwaukee.”
In the Heartland
Crisscrossed with interstate highways and major arteries like 70, 80, and 90 running east to west and I-35, I-55, I-65, and I-75 moving north and south, the Midwest’s location is especially beneficial to perishables shippers. Growers can ship their fruits and vegetables to a number of terminal markets in the region, most just hours away.
Reigning supreme Missouri is a historic peach shipper and, along with Iowa, grows apples and some potatoes. Wisconsin is king when it comes to potatoes, as one of the nation’s top five producers, and also grows a substantial amount of cabbage, especially in the southeastern regions of the state near Lake Michigan.
“Cabbage is the main fresh market commodity grown within a short distance of Milwaukee,” confirms Sam Maglio. Wisconsin also has significant storage onions and potatoes.
Ohio is by far the largest fresh tomato shipper among these states, with an average harvest of 3,500 acres. Indiana is second in fresh market tomatoes, with about 800 acres, followed by Missouri’s 500 acres.
The last Census of Agriculture reported an increase in tomato production area from 500 to 800 acres between Iowa and Wisconsin, and Midwest receivers stay on the lookout for relationships with producers in the region. “We’re constantly searching for and adding more local growers to our supply network,” confirms Christian Comito, CEO of Capital City Fruit Company, Inc. in Des Moines.
