When Christopher Gray and Jadeine Richards launched Cape & Island Produce, it was all about solving a problem they knew firsthand. As a chef, Christopher often struggled to get fresh, reliable produce after a local distributor was sold to an off-Cape company. Orders were missed, inventory ran out, and the quality just wasn’t the same. Talking with other chefs confirmed it — there was a real need for a dependable local supplier. That’s when Cape & Island Produce was born, with a mission to connect the community to fresh, high-quality fruits and vegetables from local and regional farmers. Today, their Produce Box Program brings healthy, farm-fresh food right to local families while their wholesale operation supplies restaurants and businesses all across Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
When the team joined the EforAll Business Accelerator in 2025, they were already up and running, but ready to grow with more strategy and structure. Through the program, they learned how to thoroughly analyze their numbers — tracking performance, understanding their financials, and planning for sustainable growth. Their mentors were a huge part of that process, offering honest feedback, challenging ideas in all the right ways, and helping Christopher and Jadeine approach the business from multiple perspectives. “Our favorite part about being in the EforAll Accelerator was having mentors who believed in us and guided us through real, tangible growth,” says the duo.
The experience gave them not just the tools but the confidence to lead with clarity. EforAll helped them identify their target customers, price products more effectively, and manage finances with intention, all while reinforcing the belief that their business could make a lasting local impact.
Since completing the accelerator, Cape & Island Produce has seen its wholesale operations increase by more than 400% from last year, and its Produce Box Program now serves even more local families each week. With two full-time employees and four seasonal team members, the company continues to expand its partnerships with local and regional farms. According to Christopher and Jadeine, “EforAll helped us grow, and their support truly transformed our strategy and confidence.”
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Published December 2025