A Little Bit About Us

DNO Produce has its beginnings traced back to 1989, when it started as a modest co-op in Columbus, Ohio. Since then, we've flourished into a leading distributor of bulk and fresh-cut produce, particularly for the Midwest. Our mission stretches beyond mere distribution; we're dedicated to instilling fresh, healthy habits among students today and shaping the nutrition landscape for future generations.

Acting as a cornerstone for school nutrition programs, DNO offers more than just produce; we provide fresh, nutritious solutions tailored to the unique needs of educational institutions. Whether it's fueling young minds with fresh, healthy snacks or crafting enticing meal options, we're committed to fostering a culture of wellness in schools and beyond.

A DNO Produce semi-truck parked at a produce distribution center with a mobile loading dock, under a clear blue sky.

A heritage of produce. Innovating healthy solutions.

From our cold storage solutions to innovative fresh-cut packs, DNO consistently delivers excellence with each order. Our seasoned team is comprised of industry experts well-versed in agriculture, warehousing, food safety, food science, USDA nutrition programs, and transportation logistics.

For over three decades, DNO has remained at the forefront of mastering the delicate balance between the artistry and the science of fresh produce. As we continue to evolve, we eagerly anticipate the opportunity to share our passion for healthy living and quality produce with you.

Several broccoli florets, some still in a plastic bag, scattered on a purple surface. USDA Individually packaged, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP).

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Our Services

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Partners of Mid-Ohio Food Collective were recently invited to attend their Drive Out Hunger Event at Top Golf! ⛳ We had a so much fun playing golf, surrounded by a record number of companies with a like-minded mission to end hunger in mid-Ohio.

As a

Our May Brocc Star is Rosenie Jean! As a Cooler Lead, she is responsible for ensuring associates have the right product--and enough of it--during production. They also check that the product is processed and packaged properly, coordinate with the mat

To us, spring means asparagus! Our incredible production team is working hard behind the scenes to bring this Michigan-grown goodness to your school. We even offer purple asparagus for the more adventurous eaters! There’s nothing like the taste

DNO Produce President, Alex DiNovo, served as emcee for the International Fresh Produce Association’s Consumer Connection Conference, an event uniting produce industry leaders and consumer-facing experts to explore how to influence consumer beh

We were honored to host the School Nutrition Services Dietetic Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for their spring meeting! During their visit to DNO, we gave the group a behind-the-scenes tour of our facility and an insight int

Deadra and Marcie from our team attended the Great Lakes Consortium's Speed Networking - Nutrition Matters show to foster connections with school nutrition professionals and industry partners across the Great Lakes region. This was a great opportunit

Marissa and Aly from our team had a blast at the
School Nutrition Association's annual National Leadership Conference. This was an incredible opportunity to connect with state association leaders, strengthen our leadership skills, sharpen our market

Happy School Lunch Hero Day! 🍎

Today we’re celebrating the incredible school lunch teams who do so much more than serve meals — they help set students up for success! Research shows that healthy school lunches boost energy, support lear

The DNO Produce and Pilot Light teams were proud to represent at the ACDA Annual Conference alongside an incredible group of leaders shaping the future of school nutrition! 🥕 We helped lead conversations on expanding the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Pr

This past weekend, our DNO team hit the ground running — literally! 🏃&zwj;♀️🏃&zwj;♂️ We were proud to sponsor and participate in the Hunger Run 5K to support the fight against food insecurity, and we also had teammates crushing miles at the C

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What Our Customers Have to Say

Maegan Brown, MS, RD, LD, SNS, Food Service Coordinator,
Conway Public Schools

“Our district has participated in FFVP for many years and has always struggled to find a fun variety of quality pre-cut and pre-packaged fresh fruits and vegetables for our students. Last year our produce vendor introduced us to DNO’s FRESHEALTH FFVP snacks and that struggle is now gone!

We love the variety of fresh fruits and vegetables available to order each week, along with the amazing quality! I never get complaints from our schools about the quality of the produce! Also, as a Registered Dietitian, I understand how nutrition education is an essential component of FFVP and I love the bonus of receiving the produce posters from DNO to send with the snacks each week!”