Kodiak

We in the Phx region mention Kodiak a lot, so I though it apropos to provide some 411 to the uninitiated:

Kodiak Produce in South Phoenix, a produce wholesaler that will sell to the solo public such as we. They offer an array of fresh fruits and veg for jaw-dropping prices.

As for getting there, you can exit 7th street off of the I-17 freeway. Then you take the access road paralleling the freeway heading east (crossing 7th st). They are located just off this road at about 10th street on the south side. You can't miss their huge yellow building with a "Fruits & Vegetables" sign on the side. Turn into the lot on the NW of the building; otherwise you'll have to make a huge detour to get back (heed the personal experience! ;)

Kodiak Fresh Produce (602) 253-2236

1033 E Maricopa Fwy, Phoenix, AZ 85034

Cross Streets: Near the intersection of E Maricopa Fwy and S 12th St

Last I heard hrs were M-F 7a-3p, Sat 5a-1p.

Remember your sweater as it's chilly in the walk-ins!

I think one employee noted that Mon/Tues were some of the best days to be there.

The names of some cool peeps there, though most anyone is very helpful:

Steve, co-owner (602-763-1442) knows Jamil Coury well, so make sure to mention your connection.

Tony: 602-763-1429

Blair: co-owner

Martha

Keep your spidey sense on the swivel--there are carts, push and motorized, bustling around the place at all times, in and out of concealed doors.

Now regarding organic vs conventional:

You have to hunt for it in all the nooks and crannies, as there are few/no defined sections.

Getting the help of the workers might serve to as they probably know what and where everything is. There is the possibility that a large selection, that looks available, is already sold, so keep an eye open for that.

They offer a current price list, but to my eye it was neither complete nor the same price as what my final invoice said. I just loaded a cart, told the lady behind the window what I had, and she totaled it up for me.

You can also ask the workers, what's good at the moment. Quality can be hit or miss, but any substandards are more than offset by the righteous prices on everything else.

If you have veg-head friends local, consider splitting an order with them. You might never consume 40 heads of lettuce on your own before it turns, but 20 for each of you might be doable.

Enjoy the hunt! :)

2 members like this

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Vincent Franzen on August 18, 2011 at 11:56am

Now you really have me excited to check it out!

Permalink Reply by Windlord on August 18, 2011 at 1:25pm

Ja! You'll dig it!

Just today I scored cases of nans, strawbs (16 clamshells), grapes, and org cantaloups all for around $60.

Permalink Reply by Vincent Franzen on August 22, 2011 at 1:35am

Anyone want to carpool from the WestSide. I am carfree and live up near Bell Road and 87th Ave (but I could bike to you). Mondays would work best. I will gladly split the fuel.

Permalink Reply by Vincent Franzen on August 28, 2011 at 2:23pm

Would anyone like to hit Kodiak early Monday morning (7am)? I was thinking of renting a zipcar and going? If a few of us go, we could split the cost of the car.

Permalink Reply by Marianne on September 2, 2011 at 12:29am

thank you for this! I had no idea we had something like this in AZ.

Permalink Reply by Derek Holmes on September 5, 2011 at 3:41am

I went to Kodiak yesterday and they have a plethora of organic fruits and veggies to choose from this week. Just to name a few - honeydew, canteloupe, watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, Mangoes, red and green grapes, bananas, tomatoes, cucumber, kale, romaine, celery, and more. Best score I have had since I started going there weekly. Get over there before they run out. I got 2 cases of strawberries, 4 cases of mangoes, a case of grapes, a case of cucumbers, and two cases of watermelon for $91. Sweeeeet!

Permalink Reply by Derek Holmes on September 5, 2011 at 7:25am

Oh shoot, forgot to mention they are closed today and tomorrow so get there on Tuesday if you can. I wish I would have written this yesterday.

Permalink Reply by Derek Holmes on September 6, 2011 at 9:31am

I am wondering if we should get together and do a bulk order weekly in order to get more selection from Kodiak and also split up cases of things we don't tend to eat a whole case of. I went into the office two weeks ago and talked to Blaire to see if there was any way I could grab some more of their organic produce before they divided it up to all their bountiful baskets customers. Sometimes there is almost no organics left. He asked me how much I would be ordering just for myself and seemed astonished that I ate as much produce as I do. He was pleasantly surprised and offered to give me a call each week before he ordered for Bountiful baskets so I could place my order and he could add it to that order. Problem is some things I don't really want an entire case of. This week I bought a case of organic cucumbers and in order to put down enough to make sure they don't go bad I am eating a huge amount each day. Something I don't want to have to do. So I bet if we were able to get a "buying club" together we could get whatever produce we wanted and a much better selection and could divvy up some of the cases of produce that we don't tend to eat so much of. I could call Blaire some time in the week and find out what is available for order that week. Then we could decide as a group what we want and how we want to split it, and then I could call back and place the order and meet at Kodiak at a designated time to split it up. Sound like a good idea?

Permalink Reply by Vincent Franzen on November 29, 2011 at 3:55am

Finally made a trip here and am wondering why I haven't done this earlier! I have been paying $56 for a box of 80 oranges from the grocery store. I picked up the exact same fruit for $17. Also found a few boxes of Rambutan hidden in the back for $14. I am blown away by the prices and will be shopping here almost exclusively. If anyone is interested in splitting a box of veggies (like iceburg lettuce, or squash) let me know. I can pick it up on Monday's and meet you (I reside on the West side of town).

Permalink Reply by Vincent Franzen on January 16, 2012 at 1:41pm

Does anyone know if they are open tomorrow?

Permalink Reply by Vincent Franzen on February 14, 2012 at 3:41am

FYI- Conventional mangos were under 24 cents per mango ($2.50 per box). They weren't the most visually appealing, but for that price.

Also individually bagged romaine lettuce was on sale also.

Permalink Reply by Vanessa Porrata on April 3, 2013 at 10:08am

OMG! Thank you so much Windlord! This is the answer to my prayers! I was looking for a wholesale market that had organic produce but couldn't find one with enough options. I will definitely be checking this place out. :)