Consalo Family Farms has generations of success with New Jersey produce.
The operation grows and packs blueberries, leaf lettuce, herbs, cooking greens, wet vegetables and other commodities, says Chelsea Consalo, executive vice president of the Vineland, N.J.-based grower, shipper and distributor.
“We are very fortunate to have continued to build and grow our family business since the 1920s,” Consalo said. “Many farms in New Jersey like ours are owned and operated by families that have been in the agriculture business for generations. Family pride, industry knowledge and commitment to farming make New Jersey farms excel at producing quality product year after year. We are lucky to have a program like Jersey Fresh to promote these products. Locally grown has become extremely important to consumers.”
The past five years have seen an expansion in both acreage and facilities for Consalo Family Farms, she said.
“We consider investment into our farms, facilities and staff a must to remain competitive,” Consalo said. “With our constant commitment to understanding that quality starts right on the farm, we ensure that the Consalo brand represents premium, superior produce.”
Local produce is a big play for Consalo Family Farms, she said.
“New Jersey’s unique geographic location makes transportation to retailers up and down the East Coast very easy,” Consalo said. “Timingwise, there is a great window of opportunity for many items with the season beginning in April and usually extending into November for some crops.”
Consalo Family Farms also hosted a Jersey Fresh kickoff at the end of April.
“We could not be more proud to be hosting such an incredible event to kick off the season with fellow farmers, local legislators, and the [New Jersey] secretary of agriculture,” Consalo said.
Marketing magic
The company combines its marketing strategies with its charitable goals, Consalo said, a strategic approach that benefits both the organization and the communities where it operates.
“Our most recent campaign was the ‘Mandarins Making a Difference’ campaign in partnership with Harris Teeter,” she said. “For every pound of Little Smoochies mandarins purchased at North Carolina Harris Teeter locations from March 6-12, we donated a pound of mandarin oranges to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina in North Carolina, which equaled 16,000 bags of mandarins.”
By aligning its marketing efforts with impactful social initiatives, Consalo said the company amplifies the reach and impact of its campaigns while simultaneously fulfilling its commitment to making a positive difference in the communities it serves.
“Through carefully planned promotions, we engage with our target audience, raising awareness about important causes and encouraging active participation in our programs,” she said. “This approach allows us to foster a sense of purpose and connection among our stakeholders while simultaneously achieving our business objectives.”
The company’s online presence was elevated in 2023, and Consalo said the marketer is working to continue that momentum this year.
“We strengthened our social media marketing and did a redesign of our website,” she said. “The image we promote online gives the authentic message of our products and brand to consumers and retailers. We utilize social media to continue to develop a consistent brand identity across all platforms (Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook), utilizing photos, reels, recipes and more.”
