KT Produce Joins FreshEdge
Combination further expands FreshEdge’s presence in the Southern U.S.
Chicago, Ill. – FreshEdge, a super-regional distributor of customized fresh food solutions backed by Wind Point Partners (“Wind Point”), acquired Kimball & Thompson Produce Company (“KT Produce” or the “Company”), a fresh produce distributor headquartered in Lowell, Ark. Since 1983, KT Produce (originally “Kimball’s Produce Company” until 2005) has prided itself on quality service and commitment to its customers throughout Arkansas, Southwest Missouri and Oklahoma. The Company provides premium-quality fruit and vegetables to various foodservice channels including independent and chain restaurants, hotels, schools and other institutions. Today, KT Produce operates out of approximately 40,000 total square feet of warehouse across Oklahoma City, Okla., Lowell, Ark. and North Little Rock, Ark.
The acquisition broadens FreshEdge’s presence by expanding the current footprint in the South. Further, KT Produce strengthens FreshEdge’s supply chain and adds warehouse capacity to the distribution network. KT Produce joins a growing family of brands that includes Piazza Produce & Specialty Foods, Indianapolis Fruit, Get Fresh Produce, City Produce, McCartney Produce, Monteverde’s, Valley Produce, Vine Line, Garden Cut, CIBUS Fresh, Papania’s, Testa Produce, Panama Banana, Sirna & Sons and Greenberg Fruit.
“We are proud to welcome Chris and the amazing KT Produce team to FreshEdge,” said Steve Grinstead, CEO of FreshEdge. “Their commitment to incomparable service aligns perfectly with FreshEdge’s belief in servant leadership and is just one of the many reasons they will be an incredible addition to our family of best-in-class companies.”
“KT Produce is a great company with an exceptional reputation. We are honored, humbled and grateful that Chris and his team have chosen to join our family,” said Greg Corsaro, President of FreshEdge. “We are very excited and look forward to our future together.”
“Once we met the FreshEdge team, partnering with them became an easy decision. They share our desire and vision to steward this family business into its next chapter,” said Chris Thompson, President of KT Produce. “We look forward to seeing our business continue to flourish with the new opportunities and synergies that will come with joining FreshEdge.”
Joe Lawler, Managing Director with Wind Point Partners, added, “KT Produce is an exciting strategic acquisition that expands FreshEdge’s geographic footprint and further diversifies its customer base, which are both critical elements of our value creation plan. We look forward to continuing to support FreshEdge’s M&A effort alongside management.”
Wind Point Partners acquired FreshEdge in October 2022 in partnership with CEO Steve Grinstead and President & COO, Greg Corsaro, two veterans in the fresh produce distribution space. This acquisition represents the fifth acquisition under Wind Point’s ownership. FreshEdge’s acquisition strategy will continue to focus on acquiring fresh food distribution companies with high quality produce and specialty food products along with exceptional service and a strong brand reputation. Geographically, FreshEdge is focused on both new and existing geographies, including the Midwest, Southeast and Southwest U.S.