Jungle Jim's Opens Wholesale Produce Business

AMY SUNG

FAIRFIELD, Ohio — Jungle Jim's International Market has launched a new wholesale produce department to offer businesses in the area a new produce wholesale distributor.

“Since the new stadiums were built downtown, many of the wholesale produce businesses were displaced or forced to close,” said Doug Caminiti, manager of the wholesale produce department for Jungle Jim's.

“Customers used to have a large selection of produce available to them, within a mile radius, but now the few produce houses left are spread out.”

This left room for another produce wholesale distributor to sell to all the smaller independent businesses in the Greater Cincinnati area, Caminiti explained.

“We feel, with our northern Cincinnati location, we could serve many of the businesses that do not have a wholesaler close to their businesses. We do have many customers in Kentucky, Indiana as well as Ohio.”

Operating on a cash-and-carry basis, the 5,000-square -foot warehouse is located at the back of Jungle Jim's, and offers delivery to the entire tri-state area.

So far, most of the advertising has been through word-of-mouth, since the retailer wanted to get everything set up and running smoothly before it began promoting the new business, Caminiti said.

“It is important to us to make sure each and every customer receives not only the best and freshest product available, but also the best service possible,” he said, adding that the warehouse buys its produce directly from the growers, and having it shipped directly to the warehouse allows the retailer to offer the freshest and highest-quality produce available at reasonable prices.

“Their businesses thrive on the quality that our business provides,” he added.

The response to the new business has been positive.

“Many of our customers are glad to have a greater selection of fresh produce available to their businesses,” Caminiti said.

“We have many small groceries/stores, restaurants, schools, caterers and foodservice businesses that we sell to in the winter, and business doubles in the summer. Many of the small businesses we sell to are only open in the summer months. We are set up now and ready to go, so we are always looking and eager for new business.”

The produce warehouse currently offers a large variety of American and international produce, as well as many ethnic/international dry goods. It also sells dairy items and fresh baked goods.

As the warehouse expands, the retailer hopes to offer meat and seafood items as well, Caminiti told SN.

“As our business grows, we plan to grow along with it,” he said. “We will expand and grow to meet the needs of all our customers, large and small. Everyone is important.”