Independent, family-owned food distributor JD Food, Fresno, Calif., opened the doors to its new 65,000-square-foot distribution center in Southeast Fresno, part of a multi-phase expansion plan that will add more than 144 employees, bringing its total workforce to 288 employees by 2025.

The $10.5 million expansion, which is focused on the growth of JD Food, accommodates the continued growth of its affiliated company, Certified Meat Products, by allowing it to expand into the existing 52,000-square-foot processing and distribution center, also located in Southeast Fresno.

“Today marks an important step toward increasing our distribution footprint to the north and south, permitting our third-generation, family-run company to better address the unique service needs of regional accounts throughout California. Our new state-of-the-art facility could not be located in a more ideal location for distributing to California, and offers our team the added space needed to nurture and grow our existing customer base,” says Mark Ford, president.

The new distribution center features state-of-the-art technologies relating to climate control, docking systems and energy-efficient power systems. Additionally, JD Food acquired The Print District, which will operate out of the new facility to provide graphic design and printing needs exclusively for JD Food clients.

“We are thrilled to have our expanded facility up and running in Fresno, a place that we have always called home. On behalf of the entire JD Food family, we are grateful to the City of Fresno for their commitment to local business and for their unwavering support throughout the development process,” says Ford. “This expansion will create much opportunity in the Valley and beyond, as we grow our commitment to discover independent, local food companies and expand their distribution footprint.”