Denver-based FoodMaven has announced the addition of Bobby Grinstead to its senior leadership team.
Grinstead, previously a partner at The Grinstead Group, has been named FoodMaven’s vice president of strategy.
“Bobby’s experience in food distribution and mergers and acquisitions is ideal for the next stage of FoodMaven’s growth,” CEO Ben Deda, said in a news release. “We have put together a team that will grow and scale FoodMaven’s model so we can have a tremendous impact on the food distribution system by reducing food waste and increasing revenue for suppliers without a market for their product.”
FoodMaven, founded in 2015, markets food “lost in the system,” due to oversupply, out-of-specification, or local food without effective distribution channels, according to the company. The company sells via an online marketplace to restaurants, hotels and institutions and also donates food to hunger-relief organizations.
Grinstead brings experience in mergers and acquisitions, business finance, warehouse operations, supply chain strategy and technology implementation, according to a news release. Grinstead serves on several industry association committees, is a co-founder of the Dallas Fresh Food Association, and a participant of Class 25 in the United Fresh Leadership Program.
“I believe FoodMaven’s model can transform the food distribution system and bring value to food distributors in every region in the country,” Grinstead said in the release. Grinstead said that success in food distribution business is tied to being a great supply chain partner.
“Our goal, to be the service leader in an underserved category, will make us just that; a great supply chain partner for our customers, suppliers, and communities,” he said in the release.
The release said Grinstead’s will help FoodMaven roll out its business model faster by partnering with independent food distributors.
FoodMaven plans to expand to three additional US markets in 2021 identifying food distributor partners to become a part of the FoodMaven brand, according to the release. In 2019, FoodMaven acquired Anderson Boneless Beef in Denver and in 2020 FoodMaven acquired Janna Food Services in Arlington, Texas.
