FreshEdge expands with Leonardo’s Produce acquisition

Leonardo’s Produce, Detroit, has joined the FreshEdge group of produce and specialty food companies.

The addition gives FreshEdge a wider distribution, with service in Michigan and Ohio, according to a news release.

The other FreshEdge companies are Piazza Produce & Specialty Foods, Indianapolis Fruit, Get Fresh, McCartney Produce, Garden Cut, Cibus Fresh and Papiana’s.

“We are pleased to continue to build our family of ‘Best in Class’ fresh food distribution companies that are supported by our group of vertically integrated value-added operations,” Steve Grinstead, CEO of FreshEdge, said in the release.

The company now has 1,400 employees, more than 580,000 square feet of warehouse space and a 600-truck fleet.

“We believe the addition greatly enhances FreshEdge’s ability to serve foodservice and retail customers throughout Michigan and Northern Ohio. We welcome (Leonardo’s president) Sam Maniaci and his team,” Gregory Corsaro, president and COO of FreshEdge, said in the release.

The deal closed Dec. 31; terms were not disclosed.

Leonardo’s was founded in 1972. Operations will continue at its recently renovated facility in Detroit.

The deal allows Leonardo’s to expand offerings of specialty items and products with fresh-cut produce, including salads, sandwiches and healthy snacks, Maniaci said in the release.

“We are proud of our heritage and look forward to this new era of opportunity and growth for Leonardo’s,” he said in the release.
FreshEdge is backed by Rotunda Capital Partners, Bethesda, Md., which created FreshEdge in 2017 with the acquisition of Indianapolis Fruit and Piazza Produce, according to the release. Leonardo’s is the fourth acquisition for FreshEdge, and the company is planning future expansion.