Scott Thompson, co-owner avocado purchasing and sales, Thompson Fresh Produce, Sydney Market, NSW
Tell me about Thompson Fresh Produce
Thompson Fresh Produce is a family owned and operated fresh produce wholesaler that was started in June 2015. We started with nothing but a concrete floor and now we have moved into the versatile foodservice industry as suppliers of conditioned avocados.
We started over 15 years ago as a small part-time avocado retail business that only operated on Saturday's at Paddy's Market, Flemington.
But, the growing demand for our freshly ripened avocados triggered a desire to develop a full-time avocado supply business.
What do you specialise in?
Our core business is avocados although we supply bits and pieces of other things. We concentrate on the avocados so that we get it right - supplying exactly what our customers want depending when and how they want to the use them.
Who are your customers?
We supply to restaurants, sushi chains, providores and independent grocers.
What sets your business apart from other wholesalers?
At Thompson Fresh we strive to become the best supplier of high quality conditioned avocados to the foodservice industry.
Because we specialise in one line we try to give the customer exactly what they want, rather than just getting the produce in and moving it out as quickly as possible.
We do all of our own ripening which keeps our customers coming back - you have to know when to hold, when to fold.
Where do you source your produce from?
We only source Australian avocados, from all over the country. In Australia, we have avocados all year round, starting in North Queensland in February/March, then onto Central Queensland and NSW, then move through to Western Australia.
All our avocados are transported unripe and we do all the ripening ourselves.
How did you get into the fruit and veg business?
My parents both worked in the Paddy's Market, and while I was at school I got odd jobs during the school holidays. So, it just seemed natural to go the market after I finished my HSC, starting a sales job where I traded bananas for five years. I think it is just in my blood. Now we have a warehouse just outside the Sydney Market and a stand inside the market. In fact, we have just moved to a larger market stand.
What is the best thing about working at the market?
I love the people you meet at the market and I love the hours we work. I would find it really hard to work a nine to five job.
What do you like about working with fresh produce?
I really enjoy working with growers; they put a lot of trust in us. You are dealing with their livelihoods so it is a real responsibility to work on their behalf.
How has the business adapted to the Coronavirus lockdown?
As we went into lockdown our main customer base was providores and of course they were affected the most, together with restaurants, so we started supplying more greengrocers.
Now that our providores are operating again, we have also kept our new retail customers and in fact grown our customer base.
What is the secret to a successful business?
You have to love what you do, if you don't there is no point doing it.
What have been some of the challenges that you have faced in the business?
Staff are always a challenge, but you have to work through that. We are lucky that it's a family business - my Dad is on the floor with me and my Mum and sister are in the office.
What advice would you give a young person wanting to get into the industry?
Don't be afraid to give it a try, there are still so many opportunities in the industry. Take us for example: we were all comfortable, in good jobs and we took a punt, and with a lot of passion and hard work it worked out for us.
What does the future hold for the fruit and vegetable industry?
The future will be challenging you just have to look for opportunities and make sure you know what you're doing.
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