1953 Elementary School Children Visit Banana Ripening Room

Before 1919, the Aurora Fruit Company was established in Aurora, IL, to distribute fresh fruit and vegetables to retail and wholesale customers, By 1929, the wholesale business became the primary activity of supplying fresh produce to local and rural grocery stores, restaurants, hospitals and schools. Oranges, potatoes, and bananas were purchased and shipped to Aurora in railroad carload quantities.

In 1954, the Aurora Fruit Company began assembling for local and Chicago area business firms and industrial accounts, Christmas holiday fresh fruit gifts, to be given to customers, clients, employees and friends.

In 1960, the Aurora Fruit Company went out of business, but the fresh fruit gift business, has continued to this day by the second and third generations under the name M.D. Katz Fruit Co., Inc.