Tomato grower-shippers are weathering the changing climate with diversified sourcing and increased greenhouse production, ensuring a steady supply of high-quality product in grocery stores.

Summer 2024 was the hottest summer on record in the North American growing regions of Lipman Family Farms, said Elyse Lipman, CEO. In Florida, the heat has been combined with an intense hurricane season.

But climate fluctuations are nothing new to Lipman’s farmers, Lipman said.

“Twenty-five years ago, our strategy was to make sure we were planting 52 weeks a year so that we’re harvesting 52 weeks a year. Today, we’re focused on planting and harvesting in more than one region 52 weeks of the year.”

That strategic expansion of its production areas ensures Lipman’s commitment to keeping fresh tomatoes on grocery shelves consistently. For its customers, Lipman said, being out of stock is not an option.

A big reason Lipman is able to meet those 24/7/365 needs is its robust greenhouse program.

“Building on our decades-long commitment to R&D, we’ve been conducting extensive trials across various vegetable categories” grown under glass, Lipman said. “We’re excited to soon introduce a cocktail tomato and a crinkle sweet pepper.”

By cultivating both in the field and in the greenhouse, Lipman ensures that it can consistently meet the diverse demands of its customers, Lipman added.

“Although these growing programs are distinct, our range of growing environments means we can serve a broad range of customer demands, each complementing the other to enhance our overall capability and market reach.”

Lipman took another big step to guaranteeing that constant product supply with the recent purchase of Jones & Church Farms in Tennessee.

In 2024, Lipman is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its research and development program — a testament, Lipman said, to the vision of prior generations, who correctly foresaw how breeding would be critical to the company’s operation.

“Today our farms are using less water and less pesticides thanks to that breeding program, which has optimized our crops to have natural disease resistance while thriving in climates that are hotter and wetter than ever before.”

On the marketing side, Lipman said, Lipman has kept up with the latest omnichannel and digital marketing trends of its retail and foodservice customers, allowing the company to connect with consumers through advertising that enhances product placement and consumer engagement.

“This approach continues to increase sales, particularly when we pair merchandising displays with targeted marketing campaigns.”

Lipman is also continuously innovating new packaging solutions, Lipman said.

By adapting its packs to meet evolving customer preferences, the company is enhancing the shopping experience—whether it’s through self-checkout, Instacart, or online platforms.

“This ensures that our products remain accessible and appealing in a rapidly changing retail environment. We also have the ability to support private brand labels with our packaging.”

This article is an excerpt from the October 2024 issue of Supermarket Perimeter. You can read the entire Tomatoes feature and more in the digital edition here.