WE ARE FAMILY OWNED
The relationships with our customers maybe the only thing that exceeds the quality of our fruits and vegetables. That’s the way it all started back in 1965, when Issie and Mary Caviar first sold from their pick-up truck on a Kansas City street corner. Within months they were selling and delivering a growing list of produce items to small retail grocers.
Issie & Mary Caviar
1965-1982 Every great story has a beginning. Ours began in 1965, when Issie and Mary Caviar first sold fresh produce from their pickup truck on a Kansas City street corner. Within months, they opened their fruit stand in Kansas City’s historic City Market. They began selling and delivering a growing list of produce items to small retail grocers around the city. With the need for more space they purchased their first residence a few blocks away in a four level 32,000 square foot warehouse. They retired from the business in 1980.
Arnold & Carol Caviar
1982 – Present
Arnold, the eldest son, joined the company full-time in 1971. Arnold and his wife, Carol, purchased the family business in 1982. For years, Arnold and Carol worked side by side increasing revenues annually building the threshold of the thriving business today. In 1994, the Caviars purchased our current 180,000 square foot home and distribution center. The passion the Caviars have for the produce business has blessed them with the ability and opportunity to give back to the greater Kansas City Community. Year after Year their strong support of local charities is testimony to the breadth and depth of their commitment to our community.
Allen Caviar
1991 – Present
Allen, Arnold & Carols oldest son began his lifelong produce career at a young age. At the age of five you could have found Allen relaying barter between his father and their customers at the City Market locations on Saturdays! Allen, now ten took pride in becoming the master freight elevator operator stopping perfectly even with the floor and working in the warehouse. After completing his studies Allen now had more than memories. Allen has worked in every position from warehouse, transportation, sales, and purchasing. Having learned every aspect of the operation first hand now makes him ideal for his current position serving as Liberty Fruit Company’s President. The Liberty Fruit legacy continues with three generations of the Caviar family.
Allison Caviar
1996 – Present
Allison, Arnold and Carol’s youngest child, attributes her earliest memories to time spent around her family’s produce company. Throughout her formative years, Allison channeled her creative energy serving as the director and sole member of Liberty Fruits “Art and Crafts” department every summer. After completing her studies, she followed in her mother’s footsteps by returning to the company to assist in its day-to-day clerical operation. Today, Allison is a pertinent part of Liberty Fruit’s administrative duties, and takes pride in being third generation of the company and carrying on the Liberty Fruit legacy for her family.
A team that knows your business. Our team has vast experience in the food industry. Our team consists of former chefs, restaurant front/back of the house managers, retail produce managers, and prior positions at other produce wholesale companies with an average of over 20 years of industry experience. They know what is required to run a successful restaurant, retail, and wholesale operation.
Arnold Caviar
Owner, Chairman of the Board (Retired)
John McClelland
Chief Executive Officer
Allen Caviar
President
Mike Logan
Chief Operating Officer
Johnathan Griffiths
Chief Information Officer
Jennifer Lee
Business Manager
Stacy McCullough
Director of Human Resources
Steve Messina
Director of FSQA
Brett Akers
Director of Warehouse Operations
Bill Ripley
Director of Production Operations
Paul Snyder
Procurement Manager
Andy McAreavy
Procurement
Kelli Richardson
Procurement Assistant
Shawn Houston
Inbound Transportation Coordinator/Procurement
Bruce Helmich
Sales Manager – Wholesale / Retail
Brian Zenner
Retail Account Manager
Martin Huber
Sales Manager – Foodservice
Steve Nuttall
Senior Food Service Account Manager
David Smith
Senior Food Service Account Manager
Mike Smith
Food Service Account Manager
Rhoda Damgaard
Customer Service Manager
Ivette Gomez
Human Resource Assistant
Rebecca Braun
Executive Administrative Assistant
James Fouquet
IT Manager
Alynn Gay
Account Specialist
Deb Keating
Accounts Payable Specialist
Keith Rogers
Transportation Manager
Tony Barnhart
Transportation Supervisor
Wayne Huston
Outbound Transportation Coordinator
Edelmira Zavala
Quality Assurance Coordinator
Clint Fletcher
Quality Control/Receiving Manager
