From a modest lunchroom office to the forefront of sustainable produce, Melissa’s is redefining the industry with innovation, community, and a commitment to the planet.
Established in 1984, Melissa’s Produce has grown to become the largest distributor of specialty produce in the United States. Operating out of a 330,000 square foot facility in Los Angeles, the company offers various conventional and organic fresh fruits and vegetables, value-added goods, and boasts a state-of-the-art CCOF/QAI certified organic packing facility. From humble beginnings, Melissa’s has expanded its reach, providing consumers with fresh produce and engaging them through various outlets for over a quarter of a century.
The company was founded by Sharon and Joe Hernandez, who started the business in a small, rented produce warehouse lunchroom. The original office was modest with just three telephones and four chairs, but the vision was anything but modest.
Named after their daughter Melissa, who now takes an active role in the company, the family-owned business began strictly as a source of specialty produce, selling to retailers in the Southern California region. Through the years, stable growth has been achieved thanks to loyal customers and a dedicated team of employees committed to customer service.
Melissa’s has always placed a strong emphasis on sustainability and ethical practices. The company believes that fresh, flavorful produce should not come at the planet’s or people’s expense. This commitment is evident in their efforts to minimize environmental impact, maximize efficiency, and build trust through transparency. Partnering with growers who share similar values, Melissa’s supports organic and regenerative farming practices aimed at growing healthy food while preserving healthy soil for future generations.
Their dedication to organic produce is significant, carrying over 100 certified organic products ranging from fresh fruits and veggies to culinary essentials and snacks. Top organic categories include ginger, squash, potatoes, citrus, and cucumbers. By supporting local and minority-owned growers, Melissa’s contributes to creating a more equitable food system, diversifying the food supply, and providing consumers with more choices.
Innovation and efficiency are cornerstones of Melissa’s operational strategy. The company utilizes a modernized warehouse, computer-optimized trucking routes, LED energy conservation, and explores packaging alternatives to reduce their environmental footprint.
Collaborations with forward-thinking businesses like Pre-Zero, which turns food waste into sustainable animal feed, and H2R Packaging, offering a global standardized labeling system for recycling, showcase their commitment to mitigating waste at every level.
Melissa’s Produce has grown to become the largest distributor of specialty produce in the United States. | Images: Courtesy of Melissa’s
Participation in initiatives like Project Gigaton further underscores their dedication to sustainability. With ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the global supply chain, Melissa’s reported significant contributions in 2023, including reductions of 732.8 metric tons of CO2 equivalent in food waste, 134.4 metric tons in packaging, and 478.4 metric tons in product use and design.
Community engagement is another area where Melissa’s has made a notable impact. As a family-run business deeply rooted in the communities they serve, they believe that a strong community is the foundation of a prosperous future.
The company partners with over 50 non-profits to extend access to fresh, healthy food. At a glance, they have donated 800,000 pounds of fresh produce, equating to 950,000 fresh meals, and have raised over $50,000 to support organizations like the Olive Crest Foundation and the Pink Pumpkin Project.
Food accessibility is a priority, with Melissa’s leveraging their trusted supply chain to limit obstacles that prevent access to fresh food. Longstanding relationships with farmers and regular food bank donations are part of their strategy to ensure communities have the nutrition they need. Additionally, they engage in activations designed to inspire youth to adopt a healthy, balanced diet.
Supporting minority and women-owned businesses is integral to their mission of fostering an equitable and sustainable food system. By doing so, they not only diversify the food supply but also empower these businesses within the industry. Currently, they support over 20 minority-owned businesses, reflecting their commitment to inclusivity and economic opportunity.
Food safety has always been a top priority for Melissa’s. Since its founding, the company has met or exceeded all local, state, and federal food safety standards, ensuring that their growers and supply network adhere to the same high standards.
In 2012, Melissa’s received the prestigious GFSI-accredited SQF certification from the Safe Quality Food Institute. This certification involves extensive monitoring, including both scheduled and unannounced facility audits, and is recognized by retailers and food service providers worldwide.
The company follows or exceeds all Good Manufacturing Practices, which define management and manufacturing practices to ensure that food products consistently meet legislative and customer specifications.
Practices include employee training, personal hygiene and safety, food handling production, and allergen control protection. Melissa’s also employs the Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points Plan (HACCP), providing a systematic approach to identifying, evaluating, and controlling food safety hazards with the goal of protecting consumer health worldwide.
Supplier verification is a critical component of their food safety program. Melissa’s requires all growers and suppliers to have a third-party-certified GFSI, GMP, HACCP, GAP, or government safety program in place. The supplier validation process includes monitoring growing practices such as planting, harvesting, and packing. To minimize risk, the company conducts its own site visits and employs additional third-party auditors for biological and microbiological testing.
Traceability and meticulous electronic record-keeping allow Melissa’s to be agile in responding to any potential issues. The ability to track all movements to and from their facility down to batch, lot, and case number helps protect consumers and customers by preventing problems before they begin.
Melissa’s commitment to sustainability, community engagement, and food safety demonstrates a holistic approach to business that prioritizes not just profit, but also the well-being of the planet and people. Their actions reflect an understanding that sustainability is an interconnected system, aiming to mitigate climate change, restore natural systems, and promote equity and opportunity for employees, communities, and partners.
From a small office with three telephones and four chairs to a leader in the specialty produce industry, Melissa’s growth is a testament to their dedication and forward-thinking practices. By embracing sustainability as a core business principle and fostering strong relationships with growers, customers, and communities, Melissa’s continues to set standards in the industry.
