J&J Family of Farms, Loxahatchee, Fla., formed a new partnership with Little River Produce, Lake Park, Ga. This strategic alliance will allow J&J Family of Farms to continue working with recognized and dedicated farmers to facilitate their expanded distribution across North America.  

Little River Produce expanded to almost 1,000 acres of annual production to grow high-quality bell peppers, green zucchini squash, yellow squash, eggplant, cucumbers, specialty peppers and sweet potatoes. With the new partnership, J&J Family of Farms and Little River Produce will continue to diversify production to meet J&J Family of Farms’ customers’ needs.

“This partnership allows J&J to deliver incremental value and service to our customers. We take pride in our relationships with our growers, who are key to the success of our business. Long-time farming families, like the Ritters, share the same values that we do in food safety and social responsibility, and that is imperative as we expand with grower partners,” says Lynn Rundle, chairman of the board and CEO of J&J Family of Farms.

“We are excited to be entering in to our new relationship with J&J Family of Farms. We feel that this will support our desire for growth, and that J&J will bring a greater diversity to our marketing mind set,” says Dee Ritter, owner of Little River Produce. “Our family's agriculture history, perseverance, sacrifice and hard work is what makes Little River Produce what it is today.”

“The Ritters are highly regarded amongst the Georgia farming community,” adds Brian Rayfield, vice president of business development for J&J Family of Farms. “We are excited about our partnership with the Dee and his family, and look forward to taking our relationship to the next level.”