In the produce business, fresh is best.
That’s why Ken Grasser, owner of Veggies in Chehalis, makes a point of getting hands-on with his offerings.
“I work those racks seven days a week, personally,” said Grasser. His commitment is such that his last day off was on Christmas, and that was only because he closed the store so his employees could have a day off.
Moreover, Grasser insists on receiving quality deliveries seven days a week, and that “everything is touched every day.”
“I’m real fussy about my produce,” Grasser said.
Grasser had nearly a half century of experience in the produce industry under his belt before opening his own store, so he is by no means a greenhorn.
“I just always wanted to do it,” said Grasser. “I’ve been a supervisor for 30 years, so it’s pretty much the same, except it’s mine. My responsibility.”
Previously, Grasser, 64, worked in large-scale wholesale produce distribution from Longview to Alaska. Now, he has a much more regional approach, which allows him to keep the freshest produce stocked at all times. That approach has helped Grasser grow his customer base in the five years that Veggies has been open.
“They come here because I’ve got the best quality around here, bar none,” insisted Grasser.
The busiest and most bountiful time of the year is right around the corner, so things will not be slowing down for Grasser and company in the near future. Veggies is already dealing California cantaloupes, and Washington asparagus is on its last legs after a nice run. Cherries and other Central Washington stone fruit will follow suit, with corn and green beans bringing up the rear. Veggies will also have regional watermelons, locally grown zucchini, green beans and berries, as well as canning supplies once the time is right.
“Basically we’re about being fresh. That’s what I’ve always hung my hat on,” said Grasser.
The other thing that Veggies is all about is staying as cheap as possible for its customers. For instance, Grasser says he sells Chiquita bananas at cost for about 50 cents a pound all day, every day.
“We don’t advertise,” noted Grasser, who said he would have to raise prices to pay for the ads. “We don’t raise prices to lower prices. We just don’t do that. We always offer the lowest price that we can, every time.”
The same is true for Grasser’s selection of domestic micro brews, local and domestic wines, Darigold milk products, yogurt, eggs, honey and canned goods.
“I carry a lot of stuff that people can’t get,” Grasser said.
That approach has garnered Veggies more and more customers as the years go by, even if some folks say they’ve never heard of or seen his business next to the Sunbird Shopping Center.
Last year though, during the extended drought, was an especially tough time for Veggies to stay stocked to Grasser’s liking.
“Last year during the drought was when it was the hardest,” said Grasser, who noted that he was only able to get in three shipments of strawberries all summer. A depleted apple harvest also kept the price on those Washington food staples high. He’s hoping to avoid a repeat of that scenario this summer.
Friendly Veggies stock boy Logan Heaton said he enjoys working in the produce business despite the long, often early hours and loads of heavy boxes.
“You end up being really good friends with your customers and you get to know their interests,” said Heaton, a lifelong Chehalis resident.
“You actually get thanked for selling a product.”
If you ask Grasser, he’ll tell you why his customers are so appreciative.
“We’ll always be fresher. That is absolutely our mission statement,” said the boss.
