In 1926 Michael Cutler’s grandfather, Philip Ball, began his journey in the produce industry when he went to work for his brother-in-law at Champagnier Produce Company located in Scranton, Pennsylvania.  At Champagnier, Philip built his reputation in the produce industry shipping truckload volume fruits and vegetables.  In 1944, he left Champagnier Produce Company and created Ball Brokerage Company where he continued to sell a variety of fresh produce in the Scranton and Wilkes-Barre area. In 1951, Philip Ball’s son-in-law and Michael Cutler’s father, Philip Cutler, joined the company and began to expand their selling area. In 1967, Philip Cutler purchased Ball Brokerage Company and hired his oldest son Michael.  During the early years of Michael’s career in the produce industry, he assisted his father with sales after school, on weekends, and during school vacations.