Andy LaPointe, Co-Founder Traverse Bay Farms, shares how trust, communication and long-term supplier relationships have helped changing business conditions since 2001
Bellaire, MI (PRUnderground) August 28th, 2026
Andy LaPointe, co-founder of Northern Michigan-based Traverse Bay Farms, winner of 38+ national food awards, has been spotlighted by Food & Beverage Outlook as part of its The Question thought-leadership series, sharing his perspective on managing supplier relationships in an increasingly volatile business environment.
Food & Beverage Outlook’s The Question brings together senior executives, industry experts and business leaders to address issues shaping the global food and beverage industry, including supply-chain resilience, sustainability, technology, workforce challenges and operational performance. LaPointe was selected to contribute to a discussion focused specifically on supplier relations.
The publication asked:
LaPointe’s answer reflected a relationship-first philosophy that Traverse Bay Farms has followed since the company was founded in 2001.
Over more than two decades in business, Traverse Bay Farms has changed only a small number of key suppliers. Rather than continually moving orders in search of the lowest short-term price, the company emphasizes communication, realistic annual projections, clear expectations and loyalty to long-term vendor partners.
According to LaPointe, that approach can become particularly valuable when supply chains tighten and raw materials become more difficult to secure.
“That kind of loyalty is not created during a crisis – it is built years before the crisis arrives.”
LaPointe explained to Food & Beverage Outlook that Traverse Bay Farms continues to request competitive quotes on new orders, but the company also considers the long-term value of established supplier relationships rather than making purchasing decisions based solely on a one-time price difference.
That strategy became especially important during the supply-chain disruptions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. While many businesses struggled to obtain raw materials, LaPointe said long-standing vendors often contacted Traverse Bay Farms proactively to help make sure the company remained supplied.
Building Supplier Relationships Before They Are Needed
For LaPointe, supplier relationship management is closely connected to business resilience.
“Small businesses sometimes think purchasing is simply about getting the lowest price on the next order,” LaPointe said. “But there is another side to the equation. A dependable supplier who understands your business, communicates with you and wants to see you succeed can become an important part of your company’s long-term stability. This allows us to provide award-winning cherry juice concentrate, salsa, barbecue sauce, jams and more.”
The philosophy is particularly relevant to food companies, where agricultural conditions, ingredient availability, packaging, freight, production schedules and changing consumer demand can all influence the supply chain.
Traverse Bay Farms works across retail, e-commerce, wholesale and food distribution, giving the company firsthand experience managing supplier relationships while serving consumers and business customers.
“Relationships matter before the difficult year arrives,” LaPointe added. “You build trust during the normal years so both companies know how the other operates when conditions become challenging.”
25 Years of Small Business Experience
The Food & Beverage Outlook spotlight comes as Traverse Bay Farms marks 25 years in business in 2026.
Founded in Northern Michigan in 2001, Traverse Bay Farms has grown from a small family business into a nationally distributed gourmet food and wellness brand offering tart cherry products, dried fruit, salsas, preserves, dressings and other specialty foods.
During those 25 years, the company has experienced major changes in retail, e-commerce, food distribution, consumer behavior and supply-chain management.
LaPointe said one lesson has remained remarkably consistent: strong business relationships continue to matter regardless of how technology or markets change.
“Business has changed tremendously since we started in 2001, but trust still has value,” LaPointe said. “Whether the relationship is with a customer, employee, retailer or supplier, people remember how you conduct business when conditions get difficult.”
Food & Beverage Industry Thought Leadership
Food & Beverage Outlook identifies The Question as a thought-leadership platform designed to provide focused executive insight from companies and leaders involved in global food production, manufacturing, supply, hospitality, retail and consumer trends.
LaPointe’s participation further highlights Traverse Bay Farms’ experience in areas including supplier relationship management, food supply chains, specialty food retail, direct-to-consumer commerce and long-term small business growth.
About Andy LaPointe
Andy LaPointe is co-founder of Traverse Bay Farms, a Northern Michigan gourmet food and wellness company founded in 2001. Over more than two decades, he has been involved in the company’s growth across retail, e-commerce, wholesale distribution, product development, supplier relations and specialty food marketing.
