A History Founded in Experience

Less than 20 years ago, Lancaster Foods began with only one truck, but a total commitment to quality and service. Today, the Gates brothers and Guest Services have steadily grown the business into one of the largest and most successful wholesale produce providers in the industry.

John and Dave Gates grew up in Altoona, Pennsylvania, working in two different family owned produce businesses. From selling fruits and vegetables at Hesser Brothers in Altoona, to working amongst the fruit trees at Heisey Orchards in Mercersburg, it is no wonder the Gates brothers eventually founded their own produce company, Lancaster Foods. In 1992, Lancaster was acquired by Guest Services, Inc., a private hospitality management company located in Fairfax, VA. In 1993, Lancaster moved into their current facility in Jessup, Maryland. In 2005 Lancaster Foods, Inc. became Lancaster Foods, LLC.

Resources are focused on high volume retail chain wholesaler replenishment and fill-in demand. Principal leadership is on the job, attending to the details, and providing service to customers seven days a week, 363 days per year.

Services

We define service as providing the best products, whenever and wherever needed. We’re known for our fastest delivery of the best produce available. We offer an extensive-crop-of services, based on customer feedback, enabling them to excel in a highly competitive environment.

The Lancaster Edge

• Same day delivery for most shorts and fills
• 24 hour, 363 days per year service and delivery
• Principal leaderships on-site attention, 7 days a week, 363 days per year
• Custom packaging and labeling services
• Direct store or warehouse delivery
• Cross-docking services available
• Advertising support services and Hot-Buy/Spot/Weekly Circulars to arm you with the best prices and hottest products during any season.
• In-store support and training services, including Executive Chefs and Merchandising Teams, for customer/staff demonstrations and promotions.

Quality Assurance

Lancaster's Quality Assurance Program begins with Buying Teams. Our buyers play an active role, inspecting pallets received and shipped. Dedicated and experienced Quality Assurance Receiving Inspectors support the Buying Team and examine every delivery. Quality Assurance Managers monitor produce in storage, adhering to critical control points and established good handling and safety guidelines including temperature, humidity, ethylene exposure, ripeness and flavor indices. Quality Assurance Shipping Managers inspect every order before loading and shipment to ensure orders are complete and the product is of the highest quality.

Custom Ripening

We provide the desired stage of ripeness on a daily basis, using the latest technology and space available to ripen bananas, tomatoes, avocados, melons and other tropical fruits in our state-of-the-art Ripening Rooms.

Custom Reporting and Electronic Data Interface

Ordering and product-tracking reports can be tailored to specific customer needs with direct links to your custom designed Real-Time Order Profile.