Daily Specials
| Blueberries | 2 packs for $3 - we have plenty in stock |
| Grape Tomatoes | 2 packs for $3 - we have plenty in stock |
| Sweet and JUICY Cantaloupe | 2 for $4 - we have plenty in stock |
| JUMBO Carrots are back | 99 cents per pound - EVERYONE has been asking for these |
| Sweet Rainbow Peppers | $3 per pack - packs contain FOUR different color SWEET Peppers |
| Fuji Apples | $1.44 per pound - this has been one fantastic batch of Apples - lots of juice and VERY crunchy |
| Beefsteak Tomatoes | $1.49 per pound - perfect quality |
| Cara Cara Oranges | LAST CHANCE today |
| Crisp Celery | LAST CHANCE today |
| Frooties Strawberries | LAST CHANCE today |
About Us
Welcome to Papa's Produce. We are a third-generation discount produce retailer based right here in Maine. We lease space inside the Scarborough Marden's at 451 Payne Rd., but are not affiliated with Marden's. We have our own register and accept all major credit cards; including EBT (food stamps).
Hours of Operation
Closed Sunday and Monday
Tuesday noon to 6 pm, Wednesday through Friday 10 am to 6 pm, Saturday 10 am to 5 pm
FAQ
Q: How can Papa's Produce sell produce so cheap?
A: We operate on very slim profit margins. Additionally, we have three generations of relationships with produce wholesalers.
Q: Where does the produce come from?
A: All over the world. We try to buy as much local as possible, but obviously in the winter that is nearly impossible. In the summer, most of our inventory is from New England, New York, and Canada. We do NOT buy our product from Haymarket in Boston. That is a retail market. We buy from the New England Produce Center which is the second-largest produce wholesale operation in the World. In the summer, we buy direct from numerous local farms as well.
Q: Why do you require a $10 minimum on credit cards?
A: Our profit margins are VERY slim. The fees charged on credit/debit cards easily outweigh the profit margin on smaller sale amounts; thus we would be losing money. We chose to have a minimum vs. raising our prices.
Q: How come Papa's doesn't always have everything I'm looking for?
A: We buy deals only. Our discount model is based on having insanely low prices. We are not a full traditional produce store - we are a discount produce retailer. When we can't offer a particular item for noticeably less than your local grocer, we simply don't carry that item. Your grocer sells some produce items (usually sale items) at a loss because they can make up that loss on a more profitable item. We don't have highly profitable items to offset negative-margin items; thus can't always stock every product. Our customers want jaw-dropping deals. That's why Marden's is such a great fit for us!
Q: Is Papa's Produce part of Marden's?
A: No, we have no official affiliation other than renting retail space from them. We do have a great business relationship.
Q: Why do you close a little earlier than Marden's some nights?
A: We are a small, family-run operation. In effort to keep our prices as low as possible we occasionally have to reduce hours. We buy the produce in the wee hours of the morning to deliver the freshest possible product to your family, sometimes we simply need to rest.
Q: Does Papa's Produce sell wholesale?
A: We have a handful of restaurants and 3 or 4 local specialty markets that stop in and buy from us when they are in a pinch and need something quickly. We don't actively wholesale. If we have it in stock and you need a large quantity we will give you the greatest price break possible. We do not take wholesale produce orders, sorry. We know numerous reputable local wholesalers and would be glad to connect you.
Q: Where does the name come from?
A: The owner's children call their grandfather Papa. Papa taught the owner the produce business so the owner wanted to honor him.
Q: Why does your produce tend to taste better than what I get at my local grocer?
A: A couple of reasons. First, we sample many of our products so the customer ends up buying only what he/she likes. Second, and most important, is that we can get the product from purchase to retail display in a matter of hours. This allows us to purchase products at peak ripeness. Your local grocer has a large supply chain so their purchase-to-display process takes days, not hours. They cannot purchase anything too ripe because of this. We turn over our inventory almost daily so we are able to buy peak ripe products. We also are not afraid to sell ugly produce. Spotted produce usually means that the sugar is working its way from the inside to the skin. When the sugar is basically reaching the skin you can be sure it is ripe and will taste sweet. The typical consumer only buys pretty produce, so grocers carry what looks good to the eye. We carry what tastes good regardless of appearance.
Q: What is it like dealing with Marden's?
A: Absolutely amazing. The ownership is down-to-earth, treats their employees like gold, and has treated Papa's Produce better than we could have ever imagined! Spend any time with a Marden's employee and you will quickly realize that Marden's leadership has created an amazing work culture. The experience of our first store inside of Marden's could not have gone any better. The Marden's family is as genuine and kind as any family you will ever meet and their caring attitude permeates down through all of their the stores.
Q: Will you ever open a freestanding store?
A: We'd prefer to operate inside of multiple Marden's since our business model so closely matches theirs. Also, finding a landlord as great as Marden's is not easy. However, not all Marden's stores can accommodate us and our goal has always been to grow. So, we'll see.
Q: What does Papa's Produce do with excess inventory?
A: Pig farm for most waste. However, we donate average-or-better quality surplus/excess to food banks.
Q: Sometimes you have organics and sometimes you don't; why?
A: We buy organics only when we can pass along a great deal to our customers. We won't carry organic products just to have them; we only carry them when we can offer them for dramatically lower prices than every other competitor.
Q: Which Marden's are next?
A: Our three most-requested locations (from you, the customer) are Lewiston, Biddeford, and Waterville; in order of most requested. We are tenants, so the ultimate decision is up to Marden's ownership, not us.
Q: Is Papa's Produce hiring?
A: Always!
Q: Why do your prices change so often?
A: Produce wholesale prices move daily just like stocks and bonds do. We simply mark up our products a very small amount. If we get an extra good deal it will lower our retail price. A day later, that product might be in high-demand and we will have to raise the price. We mark up everything the same, so if our cost goes down tomorrow we lower the price you pay immediately. We can react to market conditions much faster than the larger chains. If a price goes up you can rest assured our cost also went up. We never raise any prices for greed and always pass savings along to you when prices go down. If your local grocer has a better price than us, grab it - we can assure you it's a great deal.