Indianapolis-based IF&P and Bartlett, Ill.-based Get Fresh Produce have created a new company called FreshEdge.
FreshEdge, according to a news release, is home to several produce and specialty food distributors, freshcut operations and a U.S. Department of Agriculture kitchen. Those distributors include Piazza Produce, Get Fresh Produce, Indianapolis Fruit, Papania’s, Garden Cut, Just Cut and Cibus Fresh.
Backed by private equity firm Rotunda Capital, FreshEdge expects to continue to build on its platform and leverage its infrastructure investments with acquisitions of distributors in desirable geographic locations and product categories, according to the release.
The consolidated entity is one of the largest independently owned fresh food distributors in the country, according to the release, serving over 2,000 customer locations across 18 states and distributing over 30 million cases of fresh produce, proteins, specialty processed produce, grab-and-go offerings and specialty foods annually.
Together, FreshEdge operates over 400,000 square feet of distribution and processing facilities with 1,200 employees and a fleet of over 500 trucks, according to the release.
FreshEdge is led by Steve Grinstead as chief executive officer and IF&P Foods CEO Greg Corsaro as president and chief operating officer, according to the release.
“This is an amazing opportunity to join one of the leading fresh food distribution platforms in the country,” Steve Grinstead, CEO of FreshEdge, said in the release. “Through our broad Midwest and Southern distribution platform, unique meat and seafood vendor relationships and extensive specialty food offerings, the FreshEdge companies provide full-service fresh food options to all its customers. FreshEdge has also devoted significant resources to growing its selection of value-added products and services and can provide a wide array of precut produce, prepared foods, and ready-to-eat products.”
Grinstead has 40 years of experience in the food distribution industry, most recently as CEO of The Grinstead Group after eight years as CEO of Pro*Act, according to the release. Before Pro*Act, Grinstead was COO of Standard Fruit and Vegetable and president of Fresh America, a produce distribution management company.
Corsaro has been in the produce industry for 27 years, most recently as the CEO of IF&P Foods, the parent company of Piazza Produce, Indianapolis Fruit, Papania’s, Garden Cut and Cibus Fresh, according to the release.
“Over the last several years, IF&P Foods has invested heavily in our management team, digital platform, warehouse facilities and logistics platform,” Corsaro said in the release. “With the acquisition of Get Fresh Produce, the combined platform can integrate our facilities and combine our offerings to provide the freshest and most complete suite of products to all of our customers.”
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