Salt Lake City: Livability in the 21st Century

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A&Z PRODUCE COMPANY
Above and right: The A & Z Produce Company owners in 2010.
The A&Z Produce Company’s motto, “A satisfied customer
is our first consideration,” mirrors its commitment to supply
its valued customers with the finest fresh fruits and vegetables
at competitive prices, and the highest customer service and
food safety standards.
As the premier independent wholesale distributor of
fresh fruits and vegetables across the Intermountain West
for almost seventy-five years, A&Z has supplied grocery
stores, restaurants, institutions and families, earning the
industry’s highest integrity and credit ratings.
Founded in 1939 by Dale Atkinson and Lloyd Zesiger, A&Z
is a family operation that has always relied primarily on verbal
agreements rather than signed contracts. In the high-tech
world of the twenty-first century, A&Z stands out as an example
of old-fashioned values on which the business was built,
while incorporating the latest in technology and food safety.
Clifton Clark, who joined the company in October 1940
bought into it in January of 1941. He left the business during
World War II, returning in 1946. With his reputation with
suppliers and customers still intact, he soon helped establish
A&Z as one of Utah’s largest produce wholesalers. As other
partners eventually left, Cliff’s three sons, Jay Dee, Steve and
Scott, became his partners in 1971.
As a child of the Depression and part of a large family
where everyone contributed to the family’s welfare, Cliff
began work at age five, picking onions with his brother,
always working, even when he was in school. He was
extremely resourceful and incredibly creative, finding ways
to make money while keeping his ethics intact, giving
his word as bond, and instilling this high standard in his
new partners.
As his sons joined in company ownership, A&Z Produce
became the largest independent wholesaler in Utah and a
leader in the Intermountain West. With growth came new
technologies and new ways of doing business, but Cliff’s
core values always served as the basis of the company’s
operations. Each of Cliff’s sons had a son who wanted to
be in the business, and third generation family members,
Jeff, Ryan and Spencer Clark, are now its principles.
A&Z offers same-day service, highly unusual in the
produce industry, delivers in refrigerated trucks, allows
customers a twenty-four hour ordering opportunity, and
leads in strict food safety programs.
Located at 366 West 500 South in Salt Lake City, A&Z
continues to build its success upon its founding principles,
as well as adapting to an ever-changing industry. More
information about A&Z is available at www.azproduce.net.
S A L T L A K E C I T Y — L i v a b i l i t y i n t h e 2 1 s t C e n t u r y
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