Flaim Farms

Time after time, East Vineland farmer Kevin Flaim and his wife, Sharon, would listen to shoppers at the Collingswood Farmer’s Market lament the fact that they could enjoy New Jersey eggplant for only a few short months during the year.

Mr. Flaim would listen to his wife telling customer after customer that eggplant can easily be frozen and saved for future use, even giving them freezing and recipe tips. It was then that an idea took root.

“As Sharon would tell people how to prepare and freeze eggplant, I kept thinking how we freeze and enjoy eggplant at home all year long,” Mr. Flaim said. “Since a large part of my eggplant crops goes to a local processor, maybe we could create an all-New Jersey product that could take advantage of the consumer recognition and appreciation of the ‘Jersey Fresh’ logo. This product will not only capture the value-added dollar, but will also generate some income for the farm during the off-season.”

Flaim Farms is a fourth-generation family farm head by Bob Flaim, Sr. and his two sons, Kevin and Bob Jr.

Growers of over 30 different items packed under the “Panther” brand, the Flaims have enjoyed a reputation for their attention to quality as well as for the different varieties of eggplant they produce annually.

As the idea began to grow, Kevin Flaim contacted Comarco Inc., his longtime processor which packs for private labels. Using a favorite Flaim family recipe for fried and breaded eggplant, Comarco President Tom Hoversen helped the Flaims develop their product for commercial production and arranged for marketing and distribution advice.

“We have already arranged for a salesperson, and have made initial contact to some retailers throughout the region,” said Kevin Flaim, detailing the farm family’s excitement over the new product. “So far, there has been strong interest. Given the high value consumers place on the ‘Jersey Fresh’ brand as well as the success of other value-added products that have used this logo, we have high hopes for this product. It also can’t hurt that consumer focus has shifted toward demand for locally grown products.”

Current plans call for regional distribution to begin sometime in mid-September.