GrubMarket has announced its acquisition of fresh produce marketer Bengard Marketing, bolstering its supply from the US, Latin America and New Zealand.
This is the latest in a series of acquisitions for the US-based farm-to-fork food delivery startup, which services the B2B market, supplying grocery stores and meal-kit companies, as well as the B2C market.
Founded in 1978, Bengard Marketing is a longstanding provider of domestic and imported specialty fruits directly from sustainable growers inChile,Argentina,Peru,New Zealand andthe US. Bengard Marketing will remain based inLos Angeles and will continue to be managed by its current leadership team.
Mike Xu, chief executive of GrubMarket, said Bengard Marketing’s assets would bring significant value to the company.
'Bengard Marketingis ahighly reputable specialty fruit providerwith a passion for people and produce. They created a business sector of sourcing sustainable fair-trade produce fromSouth America and have since then been a top provider of cherries and stone fruits fromSouth America,” said Xu.
“Their customer-centric team works directly with sustainable growers inChile,Argentina,Peru,New Zealand, andthe US to supply high quality fruits to the US market. We are thrilled to welcome them to the GrubMarket family. Together,we will strengthen our customer base and extend our grower network toLatin Americaand Oceania.
“Their deep insights of cross-continent food supply chain, logistics and warehouse management will also benefit the evolution of our software technology,' he added.
As part of the acquisition Bengard Marketing will gain access to GrubMarket's proprietary WholesaleWare software suite, the company's software-as-a-service platform providing food industry suppliers and vendors with financial management, online ordering and sales, inventory management, and engaging customer relationship tools.
Broc Bengard, chief executive of Bengard Marketing, said the move would strengthen both businesses.
'We are delightedto join the GrubMarket family and look forward to the new growth opportunities that GrubMarket's technology and network will bring,” said Bengard.
“Coming together allows us to promote the sustainability of healthy food from farm-to-fork and grow wherever suppliers and buyers need an honest, hardworking partner.”
