{HISTORY}

Founded in 1946, the Apache Tomato Company of Colts Neck, New Jersey, was a family-run wholesale tomato supplier mainly serving local supermarkets, restaurants, and sandwich shops in the New Jersey area.  Operating throughout the later half of the 20th century, they eventually expanded to supplying other vegetables as well, but tomatoes also remained the backbone of the Apache brand.

Working with farmers around the country and in Mexico, Apache handled over 40 million pounds of tomatoes per year. The key to their long-running company success was fast delivery, consistent customer focus, and a nimble day-to-day operational schedule. These best practices were aided by the importance of quality boxes to deliver fresh produce in a reliable fashion, order after order, year after year.

Apache Tomato wood crates, made by Miller Manufacturing Company in Richmond, VA, were just the ticket to keep fruit and vegetables secure and unblemished from farm to restaurant. Strong nad sturdy in construction, this crate is made of pine wood slats on the sides and bottom and strips of solid oak above the handles. Each crate was wrapped with metal straps to ensure sturdy corners and strength in stacking.

This crate is stamped with both the Miller Manufacturing mark and the Apache Tomato company name. Interestingly, the town is misspelled on the crate, as there is no apostrophe in Colts Neck. Typos aside, most likely dates to the 1950s-1970s era and is in incredible shape with a great vintage patina and strong graphics. 

No longer in business, Apache Tomato closed down following the deaths of second-generation owners.  While the family always maintained that the wholesale vegetable marketplace was a tough business with many environmental and economic challenges, the energy of the trade and the relationships with customers kept Apache in business for over fifty years. Most likely made between the 1940s-1970s, it's fun to imagine which restaurant or grocery store this particular box might have belonged to. It's also a lovely example of a 20th-century agricultural business that proudly served the mid-Atlantic area. 

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

• Strong and sturdy construction
• Large size
• Clear and crisp branding
• Hard to find Apache branded crate

{CONDITION}

In lovely vintage condition, this crate is strong and sturdy. There is light staining on one slat in the interior bottom, possibly from the fruit it originally carried. A 5" inch crack on the middle slat on the bottom of the crate does not compromise its overall composition or structural integrity. All wood and metal pieces are secure. Please see photos.

{SIZE}

This crate measures 17.5" (length) x 14.5" (width) x 7.5" inches (height) and weighs 6.4 lbs

{FOR THE COLLECTOR}

Find more vintage wood crates in the shop here.