A company that offers a buying platform for foodservice operators has acquired a minority stake in Produce Alliance, a network of more than 50 fresh produce grower-shippers and wholesalers that supply foodservice clients.
Buyers Edge Platform acquired shares from retiring Produce Alliance partners Mike Williams, Joe Collier and Scott Weber, according to a news release. Produce Alliance’s current management team remains in place.
With the investment, the companies have formed an alliance giving their customers enhanced produce purchasing options and enhance food safety, quality and pricing for foodservice companies using Produce Alliance and Buying Edge Platform services, according to the release.
Produce Alliance CEO George Melshenker said the company’s goal is to be the leading produce management and procurement company.
“This partnership will enhance pricing and create logistics efficiencies for our end user customers, create more business opportunities and enhance technologies for our distributors, and expand market opportunities for our growers,” Melshenker said in the release.
Combined, the two companies represent more than $6 billion in fresh produce purchasing power, according to the release, enabling them to pass savings on to foodservice customers. Produce Alliance companies will continue to operate independently.
“Our partnership with Produce Alliance represents an opportunity for operators to improve their produce procurement practices and for our existing distribution and grower-shipper partners to expand their businesses,” John Davie, CEO of Buyers Edge Platform, said in the release.
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