Founded on a vision of excellence and an unwavering commitment to quality and integrity
By Rachael Houpt
Texas Border Business
Grande Produce is a family owned and operated produce company located in San Juan, Texas. Brothers Juan Cano and Raul Cano have worked together for fifteen years in the produce and trucking industry. Juan came to the United States from Mexico 20 years ago with his wife, in hopes of finding better opportunities.
Raul primarily moved to the U.S. about fifteen years ago with the intention of studying the English language, and then returning to Mexico to finish school and earn his degree. He ended up staying after meeting his wife, and starting to work with Juan.
It’s safe to say that the two brothers created better opportunities, as opposed to just finding them. In 2001, Juan pursued his longtime dream of driving a semi-truck. He was initially holding freight for other produce companies, but soon began to build trusted relationships with clients in northern states, as well as growers in Mexico. Grande Produce was founded by Juan in 2004. After years of hard work, and a solid commitment to excellence, Grande Produce is now the best in the market.
The company is one of the very few companies that offers mixed orders. “We try to cater to our clients so they don’t have to call 20 different places to get what they need for their business,” stated Raul. Their customers are free to mix-and-match the products they order, giving them flexibility they won’t find elsewhere.
In the beginning, they sold mostly to out-of-state customers, but a few years ago, the Cano brothers decided to start selling locally. They sell to small stores, big retail stores, wholesalers, customers who sell at flea markets, and restaurants. The company has also consolidated the entire purchasing and shipping process, which makes them highly unique.
Most of their produce comes from Mexico; some products are purchased locally, and some they get from different states, depending on the season. They offer over 100 different commodities, mainly vegetables and some fruits. They solely work with growers who follow strict guidelines to ensure that good agricultural practices are being followed. They have made it their mission to supply a variety of high quality fruits and vegetables.
Grande Produce has grown immensely since their founding in 2004. They now have approximately 100 employees. As Raul said, “We have been very fortunate, we have so many good employees. They are the engine that keeps the business going.”
The brothers are doing a lot of big things, and they have plans to grow as much in the future as they possibly can. They do not plan to open other locations, but rather expand the one they currently have.
One thing is for sure in line with the company’s vision statement, we can certainly expect Grande Produce “to continue being a responsible agricultural leader that makes a difference in people’s lives by delivering the highest quality products and services on the market.”
Contact Grande Produce today to learn how they can help create a bountiful future for you and your business. Their website address is www.grandeproduce.com. TBB
