Less than 20 years ago, Lancaster Foods began with only one truck, with 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.
Today, Lancaster Foods operate out of a state-of-the-art facility - on 22 acres a 220,000 square foot LEED registered "Green Building". What is LEED? It is the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, and is the nationally recognized voluntary standard and rating system for Green Buildings from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED buildings are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to work.
Some of the features of the facility include:
- 28 shipping doors, 15 receiving doors
- 20,000 lb. central ammonia refrigeration system
- 3,000 ft. of roof top refrigerated piping
- 28 refrigeration penthouses
- 43 high speed interior doors
- 15,000 gallon refueling station
- 9 state-of-the-art ripening rooms
- Storage capacity for over 7,500 pallets of product
The Lancaster Edge
Lancaster Foods provides 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 is defined by:
- 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
- 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.