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TORONTO MARKET PROFILE
Dominion Citrus: Eddie Zuccato, Paul Scarafile and Ted Cira
FOODSERVICE
Less than 10 minutes off the market, Ezio Bondi is another third-generation wholesaler. Ezio’s grandfather, Ignazio Bondi, started the company in the 1970s, which was passed down to Ezio’s father, Gus. Eighteen months ago, Bondi Produce created the New Toronto Food Company, which supplies restaurants, stadiums, schools, hotels and hospitals with value-added products, already cut. “We’ve seen tremendous growth – it’s growing like gangbusters,” notes Bondi.
The company offers online ordering and delivery. And unlike at the OFT, the compa- ny’s specialty is offering just one item instead of cases, without a delivery minimum.
Value-added appeals to the Millennials, who are more willing to pay a premium to save time. “We see that in the meal-kit trend, which is not slowing down. That translates to revenue for us.” Another trend Bondi is seeing is build-your-own restaurants, such as IQ out of Toronto, Tractor from Vancouver, and Sweetgreen in the United States, which offer health-focused concepts with a high level of customization.
According to Restaurants Canada, a not-for-profit trade association that represents 30,000-plus foodservice professionals, the nation’s restaurant industry generates $85 billion in annual sales, which equals four percent of Canada’s economic activity. In addi- tion, the restaurant industry directly employs more than 1.2 million people —that’s nearly 7 percent of Canada’s workforce — making it the country’s fourth-largest employer.
SPEAKING OF SPECIALTIES
Back at the food terminal, showrooms display a full line of produce items, but most have a specialty. At FG Lister, it’s bagged citrus and organics; at J.E. Russell, it’s pack- aged salads; at Koornneef, it’s a commitment to local; at ever-busy Italian Produce, it’s berries. “We’re not too big of a house, but we’re a powerhouse,” says owner Vince Bruno.
Fred Koornneef and his brother, Adrian, inherited their father’s produce company, started in the early 1950s. It moved into the OFT 10 years ago.Today Koornneef Produce Ltd. continues to expand, outgrowing its old facility in Niagara. Koornneef is building a 65,000-sq-ft warehouse in Beamsville, about an hour and 15 minutes south of Toronto. “We acquired a piece of land and put a new ware- house on Queen Elizabeth Highway, with high exposure and more than double the space.”
With the third generation in place — son Marcus in management and nephew Bryan
86 / MARCH 2019 / PRODUCE BUSINESS