GrubMarket, a San Francisco-based online marketplace for farm-fresh produce, has acquired Washington-based produce distributor, Fresh Choice Produce. The acquisition, which was completed earlier this week, will help GrubMarket expand its reach in the Pacific Northwest.
Fresh Choice Produce was founded in 2001 and has been providing high-quality produce to foodservice, retail, and wholesale customers for over two decades. The company has an extensive portfolio of over 150 commodities, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and herbs, which are sourced from over 200 growers across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Chile. Fresh Choice Produce has warehouse facilities in Kent and Yakima, Washington, and employs over 50 people.
With the acquisition, Fresh Choice Produce will now operate under GrubMarket’s umbrella and will continue to be managed by its experienced leadership team. The company will also have access to GrubMarket’s proprietary software platform, WholesaleWare, which provides food industry wholesalers and distributors with a suite of powerful tools for financial management, inventory management, lot traceability, grower accounting, and logistics.
“Though we started from humble beginnings, we have always taken pride in working hard and satisfying our customers’ needs. For over three decades, we have built a strong reputation as a business that provides the highest quality produce, offers exceptional customer service, and holds a deep commitment to supporting the produce industry. We are excited to join the GrubMarket team, who shares our ‘one-stop/one-pick’ philosophy and cares as much as we do about cultivating strong and lasting relationships with both growers and customers. We are also keen on leveraging GrubMarket’s impressive ecosystem of businesses and accessing their technological capabilities, to continue bringing more high quality produce to GrubMarket’s end customers,” said Marvin Farris, founder of Custom Produce Sales.
According to Mike Xu, CEO of GrubMarket: “Marvin and his team have built Custom Produce Sales into a highly regarded fresh produce business that is loved by their growers and customers alike. Many of their major customers have been with them since the 1980s and 90s, which is a testament to their strong business fundamentals and service-oriented approach to success. The company has also seen double-digit year-over-year revenue growth while maintaining a sterling reputation for food safety, having received several top industry certifications. This acquisition enables GrubMarket to strengthen our position in the global food supply chain, by offering more in-demand products 365 days a year and expanding our portfolio of high-value organic produce offerings. We are thrilled to welcome the Custom Produce Sales team to the GrubMarket family.”
GrubMarket has been expanding rapidly in recent years, acquiring several companies across the United States to build a nationwide network of growers and distributors. The company raised $90 million in a funding round last year, and it plans to use the funds to further expand its reach and capabilities.
