IF&P Foods, Indianapolis, Ind., and Get Fresh Produce, Bartlett, Ill., created a new company called FreshEdge, which consists of a collection of produce and specialty food distributors, including Piazza Produce, Get Fresh Produce, Indianapolis Fruit, Papania’s, Garden Cut, Just Cut and Cibus Fresh, all based in Indianapolis, along with fresh-cut operations and a USDA kitchen.

The consolidated entity is said to be one of the largest independently owned fresh food distributors in the country, serving over 2,000 customer locations across 18 states and distributing over 30 million cases of fresh produce, proteins, specialty processed produce, USDA-certified grab-and-go offerings and specialty foods annually. Together, FreshEdge operates over 400,000 square feet of distribution and processing facilities with 1,200 employees and a fleet of over 500 trucks.

FreshEdge will be led by industry veterans Steve Grinstead as chief executive officer, and Greg Corsaro, chief executive officer of IF&P Foods, as president and COO.

“This is an amazing opportunity to join one of the leading fresh food distribution platforms in the country,” says Grinstead. “Through our broad Midwest and Southern distribution platform, unique meat and seafood vendor relationships and extensive specialty food offerings, the FreshEdge companies provide full-service fresh food options to all its customers. FreshEdge has also devoted significant resources to growing its selection of value-added products and services, and can provide a wide array of pre-cut produce, prepared foods and ready-to-eat products.”

“Over the last several years, IF&P Foods has invested heavily in our management team, digital platform, warehouse facilities and logistics platform,” adds Corsaro. “With the acquisition of Get Fresh Produce, the combined platform can integrate our facilities and combine our offerings to provide the freshest and most complete suite of products to all of our customers.”

Backed by private equity firm Rotunda Capital, Bethesda, Md., FreshEdge expects to continue to build on its platform and leverage its infrastructure investments with selective acquisitions of distributors in desirable geographic locations and product categories.