Bayshore Vegetable Shippers

The History of Bayshore Vegetable Shippers: Humble Beginnings In 1929, Edward Bullock lived in Burlington with his wife and two children. Economic times were difficult and Edward quickly discovered that his job as a labourer on a local farm would not generate enough income to support his family. Edward decided to take his chances and go out on his... own. He heard in town that a number of men were growing and buying local produce to ship up north. Apparently, they were making a very good living. With a $500 loan from a mutual friend, Edward bought a 1929 Chevy stake truck and used the left over money to fill his truck with produce from Aldershot Storage. Unfortunately, Edward arrived in late in Owen Sound and was devastated to find the stores already fully stocked. One of the storekeepers felt badly for Edward and suggested he go over to see the Lemon Bros. Wholesale in town. Fortunately, for Edward, Lemon Bros. Wholesale bought the whole load and asked Edward to head back to Aldershot and return immediately with another load. Turns out, the Lemon Bros. would become part of a group that would form National Grocers. Ten years later, in 1939, Edward bought a five acre farm off Plains Road in Burlington. The site proved to be an excellent growing area, as well as convenient location to run his wholesale operation with National Grocers, his largest account. At the same time, Jack DeGraaf was wholesaling locally grown produce the same way Edward was up north; however, Jacks largest account was the A& P Tea Company. In 1945, after serving in the war, Edwards son, Theo and Jacks son, Stan got involved in the family business with their fathers. By the mid 1950s Edward and Theo dropped the farming aspect of the business to concentrate solely on wholesale business. In the late 50s Jack passed away, leaving Stan to take over his Dads business. The business soon became known as Stan DeGraaf Wholesale. In the early 60s there were five wholesale dealers in Burlington and two from Toronto, all buying from the same block of ...Read More