Leo and Mary Spada founded United Salad Co. in 1940. The company was originally located at 10th and SE Belmont Street. United Salad Co. was the only distributor in Portland to pre-package fresh produce for the retail trade. Kienows and Safeway were among our first customers to purchase pre-packaged coleslaw and tomatoes.

In 1946, United Salad Co. moved to larger quarters at 3rd and SE Alder Street. In the mid 1950's, the company moved again to a bigger facility. By 1960, United Salad Co. had become a full-line wholesaler to the local produce trade selling all varieties of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and specialty and processed produce. By then, the company employed over 120 people in its retail-packaging department alone. In 1964, the company moved to 10th and SE Alder Street and continued to grow.

A graduate of the University of Oregon originally founded Duck Delivery Produce, Inc. in 1975, and its first customer was the University of Oregon's medical school. This explains the somewhat unusual name. In 1985, United Salad Co. purchased Duck Delivery Produce, Inc. to cater to the food service segment of the market. Under United Salad ownership, Duck Delivery has gone from a company of 30 employees to a full-service, institutional produce distributor - employing over 200.

United Salad Co. and Duck Delivery Produce, Inc. are committed to growth both for our customers and us. We recently completed construction on a new plant, warehouse and office complex, which we moved into in June of 1999. This new complex consists of 100,000 square feet of space and uses the latest technology in both warehouse and processing production.

Our companies pride themselves on growing and purchasing only the highest quality product available and have built their reputations and success on that commitment. Together, United Salad Co. and Duck Delivery Produce, Inc. constitute the largest produce house in Oregon. We receive fresh produce seven days a week. All fresh produce moves through our warehouses anywhere from four to six times a week. This product rotation insures that new product is available daily.

We understand the importance of food safety. Our commitment to curbing food borne illness is the number one priority of our new facility. Although we currently have an HAACP program in our processing plant, our warehouse and processing plant go far beyond any program in this marketplace. We have the ability to monitor product from the field to your door. Our refrigerated docks and staging areas, and our back-up generator system insure the quality of products while in our possession. Constant microbiological inspection and personnel training in our processing plant will provide you with the safest processed product available. Our purchase of new delivery trucks with heavier refrigerated boxes will bring you products that have never broken the cold chain.

United Salad Co., through its subsidiary Pride Packing Co., owns 1,800 acres of prime apple, pear, and soft fruit orchards in Eastern Washington. The exceptional quality product that is grown on this land is available for sale to the customers of United Salad and Duck Delivery.

During the past 25 years, Pride Packing Co. has grown to be one of the top 20 soft fruit producers in the United States, and one of the top 100 apple producers in the country. We ship over one million packages on an annual basis. With our new, state-of-the-art packing and processing facility, together with on-site controlled atmosphere storage for 500,000 packages, we have become one of the leaders in this industry.

One of the most critical factors in supplying you with the freshest, highest quality product at a competitive price is the ability to coordinate the transportation of that product.

United Salad Co. purchased a produce distribution operation in Seattle, Washington, on August 1, 1999. This facility operates as Duck Delivery of Washington, Inc. This gives United Salad Co. the broadest distribution base of any independent produce company in the Pacific Northwest.

Day after day, we feel that United Salad Co. and Duck Delivery Produce, Inc. have the best in products and services to offer the Oregon and Washington marketing areas. Since 1940, we have been committed to giving you, the customer, our very best.

United Salad Co. and our related companies have always prided themselves on growing and purchasing only the highest quality product available and have built their reputations and success on that commitment.

United Salad Co. constitutes the largest produce house in Oregon. We receive fresh produce seven days a week. All fresh produce moves through our warehouses anywhere from four to six times a week. This product rotation insures that new product is available daily.

United Salad Co. with its diversified customer base is able to offer products for every segment of the market; from ethnic stores to conventional markets, from box stores to high-end markets. Carton potatoes to haricot beans, from spiny chayote to bin stem and leaf tangerines, United Salad Co. will keep you on the inside and up to date with all market trends, new offerings and availability.

United Salad Co.’s commitment to quality and our relationships with premier growers and packers the world over, including Dole, T&A, Sunkist, Mann, Nunes, Circle, Well-Pict, Fresh Express, River Ranch, O.G.C. and our own Pride Packing Co. is surpassed by none.

The retailer in today’s market place has a daunting task. The market place is flooded with chain stores that saturate the market. In today’s market of “Super Stores” and the price conscious consumer, the lowest cost of goods must be a priority. At the same time, quality is of tremendous importance, this is what will keep your customers, add new customers and increase your market share. The modern retailer must be on the leading edge of all new formats, marketing strategies, value-added lines and merchandising techniques.

United Salad Co. with our related companies and tremendous customer base is able to buy exceptional quality product at a volume discount with extraordinary savings. This capability coupled with our relationships with growers, packers, shippers and other vendors that span over sixty-five years enables marketing opportunities unequaled in our marketplace and unique to our customers.

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