Bushwick Commission Celebrates 90 Years of Community Service and Produce Excellence

Starting as an unassuming produce stand using pushcarts in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY, the Bushwick Potato Commission has expanded to become a major supplier of potatoes and other vegetables to the Atlantic coast. Bushwick has remained true to its origins, upholding a commitment to quality produce, exceptional customer service, and contributions to the communities they serve.

President Jack Hyman, 90, recalls how Barney Koondel started selling produce. “Our origins trace back to 1934 when Barney started his journey in New York City’s bustling produce scene with only a pushcart. Setting up shop on the Lower East Side, he would push his cart from our neighborhood, the Bushwick neighborhood in Brooklyn, and make the trek across the Williamsburg Bridge to bring fresh produce and rice to the energetic streets of Delancey.”

Hyman says the competition was fierce in the middle of the Great Depression. “That passion, determination and dedication has been passed on to each generation — in large part, why we continue to succeed.”

Ken Gray, Bushwick’s current vice president of sales and marketing, represents the fourth generation to carry on this family legacy in the footsteps of his father, David Gray, who passed away in 2020. He says equally significant to Bushwick is their deeply rooted belief that relationships are as important as the produce in this industry.

“Our reputation for customer service is as well-known as our fresh, local produce. Reputations are built on the backs of consistency and trust, and each customer’s reputation is as important to us as our own,” he says. “We understand that when consumers are happy, buyers are happy, making quality and consistency top priorities.”

Looking forward, Bushwick’s success is driven by its investment in innovation to improve sustainable practices, technology integration, and meeting the needs of both buyers and end consumers.

“Innovation is at the root of everything we do. We are proud to be on the leading edge of fresh produce technology, continually improving our processes, equipment and tools by implementing and, sometimes, creating the latest advances rooted in quality and efficiency,” says Gray.

By focusing on these areas, the company aims to enhance its supply chain efficiency, reduce its environmental impact, and maintain the trusted relationships with both growers and customers that have been key to its longevity. This blend of tradition and forward thinking positions Bushwick Potato Commission as a leader in the potato industry for years to come.

Gray says they also understand the importance of caring for our planet, and “we actively take steps to improve every environment in which we do business — not only for the climate, but for people. For years, we’ve taken great pride in working with our growers to adopt emerging farming practices and new technology that makes us more efficient and sustainable in transportation, waste, packaging and energy.”

Gray says at the end of the day, it’s all about the people. “From our farmworkers who cultivate the land to the packinghouse teams who carefully prepare each product, to the haulers ensuring timely deliveries, and the suppliers who bring these goods to communities, every link in the chain represents dedication, skill, and a shared commitment to quality.”

“It’s a collective effort that honors tradition, while pushing forward with innovation, making it possible to serve fresh, reliable products to families and communities everywhere,” says Gray.

In October, the commission was honored with a prestigious designation as a historic business by the New York State Historic Business Preservation Registry. Bushwick was chosen for its 90-year legacy of service, commitment to the communities it serves and resilience.