Where it Began

David and Vicki Ritter started a small truck farm in Clark, Missouri, at the corner of Route P and Highway 63, growing vegetables for the surrounding community. The need for seed and vegetable starts proved to be in demand and in 1973 Ritters Fruits and Vegetables was formed and they never looked back!

The Ritters continued to grow their business and the retail store in Moberly was opened in 1979. With this expansion, came more greenhouses, and along came flowers.  By 1984 the retail store moved to its current location at the corner of Morley and Highway 24. After many hot summers and cold winters the nursey location in Clark was forced to move due to the Highway 63 expansion. In 1997, David and Vicki moved their 8 greenhouses to their current location off of Highway M. Vicki states, “We never missed a season. David had some help getting all the greenhouses taken down and rebuilt that fall and winter of ‘97. Plants were in the greenhouses the beginning of 1998 for that coming season.” There they settled in and continued to grow vegetable plants, flowers and hanging baskets for the surrounding areas of north-central Missouri.

Change in Ownership

David and Vicki Ritter, decided to retire in the fall of 2014. After 41 years, it was time to hang up the towel, to relax and enjoy the rest of their life. Their oldest son and his wife, Mark and Rachael Ritter, took ownership with Mark taking on the owner and grower role. Initially, the transition was going to be a slow one, with the help and guidance of David and Vicki for the first few years as Mark and Rachael began their journey of owning a business. However, in January of 2015, David was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and passed only weeks later, in March. That year proved to be a year which tested everyone, not only those in the business but the entire family. David and Vicki were the rock and foundation of the family and business. They left everyone a map of how to be strong and pull through whatever comes their way. Continuing David and Vicki’s legacy and values is important to the family. We are thankful and blessed to continue having Vicki working alongside us getting her fingers dirty and offering assistance when needed.

Business Today

Although we no longer offer produce, our commitment to maintaining the same high standards of quality that David and Vicki instilled over four decades ago, we now extend to our plants. With the growing demand in the green industry, we have invested a lot into our team and facilities, so that we are well-equipped to serve both retail customers as well as garden centers and grocery stores. With the third generation of our family now involved in the business, we have a long-term vision and solutions to supporting our customers for years to come.

FAQ

  • Unfortunately, we do not. We no longer are in the produce business and have shifted our focus to the greenhouse, garden center space.

  • Yes it is! Mark Ritter, David and Vicki’s oldest son, bought the business and under his leadership and long term vision we shifted our focus from produce to plants.

  • We are a seasonal business that operates during the spring and fall. Our retail outlet, Ritters Garden Center, is open March-June and September-October. The rest of the year we shift our focus to production at the nursery location, Ritters Nursery.

  • Both! Ritters Garden Center is our outlet for retail customers to shop. Ritters Nursery is where prodution happens not only for our own retail store but for other garden centers and landscapers across the state.

  • As a seasonal, high volume business, we are always looking for hands during spring production and sales. If you’re interested in joining the team, you can visit our employment page!