By Julie BUTCHER

While Los Angeles County is experiencing dramatic overall reductions in the sale of produce, with as much as a 90% drop reported, local business owner Connor Smith’s family business Smith Produce is working hard to get fresh produce to the Crescenta Valley, as safely as possible.

Smith Produce is operating a drive-thru produce box pickup service every Tuesday at 3034 Foothill Blvd. and is delivering throughout the 91214 zip code.

“Each box has a number of different items, including potatoes, peaches, pears, apples, bananas, cucumbers, oranges, avocados, tomatoes, zucchini, and iceberg lettuce,” according to Smith.

In addition to Smith Produce, the community might recognize Smith from the annual Halloween pumpkin patch and Christmas tree lot that his family operates at the location during the holidays.

Smith has engaged the community through his social media posts on Facebook and Instagram and is working to provide the community with what is needed the most. For instance, he reports that an active search for yeast is currently in progress.

For delivery or pickup, call or text Connor Smith at (818) 823-7986 or order through his new website at https://www.smithsfreshproduce.com/.

Produce boxes are packed with whatever is freshest and most available and Smith is taking orders each week for Tuesday pickup; the cost is $30 per box, $10 more for two and a half dozen eggs.

Smith Produce has operated as a local family-owned business for four generations.

“Since 1931 my great grandfather has provided top quality produce to local restaurants,” he said. “We noticed that [during the COVID-19 pandemic] grocery stores were over-crowded and people were having a hard time finding quality produce. We pride ourselves on great customer service and, seeing an opportunity in our local community, we wanted to fill that need.”

He added that Smith Produce serves restaurants from Pasadena along the 210 Freeway all the way to Simi Valley. Customers include Los Gringos Locos, Jersey Mike’s, the Crow’s Nest, La Cañada Imports and Damon’s Steak House.”

“Our produce is sourced locally depending on the season. It arrives daily and is inspected on site for quality assurance,” Smith explained the process for ensuring safety.

Additionally, the company is making a weekly donation to local hospitals to help ER and ICU staff. 

“Hopefully, we can help keep love in this community by supporting each other,” he said.

  Julie BUTCHER, Mary Okeefe