Since 1994, Maui Fresh International has provided exceptional service and fresh, quality produce. Our heritage began in the fields as respected growers which is the foundation of our company's strength and understanding of the industry. We are more than a produce company; we are a service company that sells produce.
The Clouthier Family started farming tomatoes and peppers in the Sinaloa Valley over 60 years ago. Soon after, they opened San Rafael Distributing. In 2004, Francisco Clouthier opened a wholesale company in Los Angeles and in 2007 Maui Fresh International was created.
Since then, the success of our business has been built on establishing and maintaining long-term relationships with local and national food service companies, retailers, and distributors, and providing them with high-quality produce and valuable services. In addition, our employees bring extensive expertise in the produce industry – from the fields to the warehouse and every role in between. We not only know the industry inside and out but aim to deliver the very best to customers.
Who We Serve
We work with retail clients and food service distributors, supplying independent local outlets and national chains. We provide our customers with exceptional produce for local, regional, and national businesses including grocery, restaurants, hotels, schools, cruise lines, and resorts.
Maui Fresh International is your partner in the fresh produce market. Maui Fresh provides unparalleled customer service and fresh produce that meets the highest standards of quality and safety. With our capabilities for customized orders and attention to detail, we are positioned to be your best resource for exceptional produce.
“We’re in the biggest fruit and vegetable growing state,” says Francisco Clouthier, founding owner of Maui-Fresh International, Los Angeles. “We’re also within two hours of the Mexican border and 10 hours from Nogales, AZ. We have access to the ports and are within 20 minutes of Los Angeles International Airport; and we also bring in produce from Western Canada, which is two days away by truck. Los Angeles has become a hub for destinations that don’t have access to the produce we do.”
This strategic location makes the Los Angeles Wholesale Market a convenient place for smaller retailers to source an incredible variety of the world’s produce. “The small retailers, with from one to 10 stores, buy heavily in the Wholesale Market,” says Clouthier. “Not only do we sell items at the Wholesale Market, we also offer consolidation services. We are able to bring in produce from many different growing areas.” Some major retailers have also come back to relying more on the Wholesale Market, according to Clouthier. “I’ve been here going on 18 years, and I’ve seen it change and then change back,” he says. “We supply a lot of chain stores that moved to centralize their buying at distribution centers and then changed back to getting more from the Wholesale Market.”
- Produce Business