Limehouse Produce Receives a 2014 South Carolina Excellence Award from the US Institute for Advancement of Trade and Commerce (USIATC) 10.27.14

CHARLESTON, SC—October 20, 2014-Limehouse Produce Company has been selected for the 2014 South Carolina Excellence Award amongst all its peers and competitors by the US Institute for Advancement of Trade & Commerce (USIATC).

Each year the USIATC conducts business surveys and industry research to identify companies that have achieved demonstrable success in their local business environment and industry category. They are recognized as having enhanced the commitment and contribution of small businesses through service to their customers and community. Small businesses of this caliber enhance the consumer driven stature that South Carolina is renowned for.

Limehouse Produce Company has consistently demonstrated a high regard for upholding business ethics and company values. This recognition by USIATC marks a significant achievement as an emerging leader within various competitors and is setting benchmarks that the industry should follow.

As part of the industry research and business surveys, various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the selected companies in each category. This research is part of an exhaustive process that encapsulates a year long immersion in the business climate of South Carolina.

About USIATC

The USIATC is a leading authority on researching, evaluating and recognizing companies across a wide spectrum of industries that meet its stringent standards of excellence. It has spearheaded the idea of independent enterprise and entrepreneurial growth allowing businesses of all sizes to be recognized locally and encouraged globally.

Particular emphasis is given to meeting and exceeding industry benchmarks for customer service, product quality and ethical practices. Industry leading standards and practices have been developed and implementation of the same has been pioneered by the dedicated efforts of the business community and commerce leadership.

More information on USIATC can be found at www.USIATC.org. For more information on Limehouse Produce, visit www.limehouseproduce.flywheelsites.com.

 

Limehouse Produce and Clemson University Partnership Leads to USDA GAP Certification for Several Local Farms 10.6.14

CHARLESTON, SC – October 6, 2014 –Limehouse Produce and Clemson University created a partnership three years ago to address the obstacles facing local farms seeking GAP certification. GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) are specific methods determined by the USDA to create food for consumers that is safe and wholesome through documentation of farm procedures and traceability of the product throughout the food system. The costs associated with achieving this voluntary certification have historically been too great for businesses that already face heightened financial pressures. By streamlining the process and subsidizing the costs, Clemson and Limehouse have made it possible for smaller farms to improve their food safety. To date, the partnership has resulted in successful certification of nine farms located in Charleston County at little to no expense to the farms.

Increasingly stringent food safety oversight has led most grocery chains and distributors like Limehouse to require GAP certification from their suppliers, cutting uncertified farms off from needed revenue. Thanks to Limehouse and Clemson, local farms that previously could not afford to complete the process, now have a viable means of attaining certification, thereby opening new and larger markets for their goods. “The most significant impact of this partnership is to allow local products into hospitals, schools and grocery stores that did not previously have access to food grown in their communities,” says Andrea Limehouse.

The increased marketability of local produce at the consumer level should provide encouragement for more local farms to seek and achieve GAP certification through this program. “Research shows that shoppers are willing to pay up to 20-percent more for items that are locally produced,” said Harry Crissy, Extension Agent for Clemson University. “GAP is allowing certified local farmers to bring their products to market in new ways that derive more revenue for their businesses and strengthen our local food system. The traceability system is giving retailers and wholesalers the confidence to offer consumers the local products they demand.”

 Certified Farms to date:

• Rosebank Farms
• Thackeray Farms
• Rawl Farms
• McCoy Farms
• Edisto Produce
• Mepkin Abbey
• Southern Moon Farms
• Adaptive Gardens
• Joseph Fields Farms

 Farms in the process of being certified:

• Freeman Farms (in process)
• Holy City Farms (in process)
• Sweetgrass Garden (in process)

 

To learn more, visit www.limehouseproduce.flywheelsites.com.

 

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Limehouse Produce Kicks Off 2014 Heirloom Tomato Trek June 16-July 12 to Build Support and Awareness for Popular Produce 6.10.14

Restaurants involved in the campaign include (as of June 9): The Atlantic Room, Basico, Caviar & Bananas, Cherrywood BBQ & Ale House, Circa 1886, Edmund’s Oast, FIG, The Grocery, Home Team BBQ, Indaco, Jasmine Porch, The Macintosh, O-Ku, Oak Steakhouse, The Ocean Room, Poogan’s Porch, The Park Café and Tomasso at the Ocean Course.