Deal expands FreshEdge’s Michigan Footprint
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — FreshEdge, a family of produce and specialty food companies backed by Rotunda Capital Partners, acquired Vine Line, a fresh produce distributor located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Vine Line operates out of a 67,147 square-foot state-of-the-art facility built in 2013.
The addition expands FreshEdge’s footprint further into Michigan and provides space and logistical support to better serve its growing customer base. Vine Line joins a growing family that includes Piazza Produce & Specialty Foods, Indianapolis Fruit, Get Fresh, McCartney Produce, Valley Produce, Garden Cut, CIBUS Fresh and Papania’s.
FreshEdge now operates with 1,485 employees, approximately 670,000 square feet of warehouse space, and a fleet of more than 650 trucks.
“We are excited for Vine Line to join our family of ‘Best in Class’ fresh food distribution companies that are supported by our group of vertically integrated value-added operations,” said Steve Grinstead, CEO of FreshEdge.
Terms of the deal, which closed on October 7, 2021, were not disclosed. The transaction strengthens the combined business’s presence in western Michigan and enables continued expansion into Michigan.
“We welcome the Vine Line team and are excited to have them join FreshEdge,” said Greg Corsaro, president and COO of FreshEdge.
Liza Alvarez will lead Vine Line as president, and the company’s operations will carry on from its current facility in Comstock Park, Michigan.
FreshEdge is backed by Rotunda Capital Partners, a lower middle market private equity firm focused on investments in founder and family held companies. Rotunda seeks to provide opportunities for management teams to reach strategic, financial, and operational objectives. Rotunda entered the food business in 2017 with the acquisition of Indianapolis Fruit and Piazza Produce. FreshEdge was created in 2019 when Get Fresh joined the platform. Vine Line represents FreshEdge’s sixth acquisition since Rotunda’s initial investment. Together, Rotunda and FreshEdge intend to continue expanding FreshEdge by welcoming more companies into the group—all focused on high quality produce and specialty food products, along with exceptional service—to create a unique team of complementary entities.
