San Francisco-based GrubMarket has added Coast Citrus Distributors, a San Diego-based national distributor specializing in tropical fruits, as well as it subsidiary companies, such as Coast Tropical and Olympic Fruit and Vegetable Distribution businesses.
GrubMarket says the move the largest acquisition completed by the company.
Roberto Alvarez founded Coast Citrus Distributors in 1950, and it has grown into a major importer and shipper of produce nationwide that provides mangoes, specialty root vegetables, chili peppers, limes and other produce sourced from Mexico, Central America, South America, the Caribbean and the U.S.
The company has warehouses in Los Angeles and Princeton, Fla., as well as an 80,000-square-foot facility in San Diego, a 220,000-square-foot facility in McAllen, Texas, and an 85,000-square-foot facility in Union City, Calif.
GrubMarket says Coast Citrus Distributors’ extensive base includes major national retailers such as Walmart, Costco, Sam’s Club, Albertsons, Publix and Sprouts, as well as hundreds of independent grocers and foodservice providers.
“We are proud of the tremendous growth we have seen over the years, while always maintaining the highest level of operational excellence driven by our employees’ ‘ownership mentality,’ where everyone operates like a business owner, day in and day out,” Isabel Freeland, president and CEO of Coast Citrus Distributors said in a news release. “GrubMarket’s commitment to AI technology and innovation aligns perfectly with our vision to continue to elevate our capabilities, strengthen customer relationships, and drive future growth through technology integration.”
GrubMarket says Coast Citrus Distributors will continue to be managed by its existing leadership team and will have access to GrubMarket’s portfolio of artificial intelligence-powered software solutions.
“We are thrilled to welcome Coast Citrus Distributors to the GrubMarket family,” GrubMarket CEO Mike Xu said in the release. “Their exceptional reputation in tropical and other unique commodities, extensive grower partnerships, and strategic presence throughout the U.S. significantly enhance our capabilities to provide high-quality produce to our customers nationwide, year-round. This acquisition is, so far, the largest acquisition in the history of GrubMarket. Coast Citrus Distributors perfectly complements our business and aligns with our plans for strategic growth across North America.”
