GrubMarket, an AI-powered technology and digital transformation company in the food supply chain, has acquired Coast Citrus Distributors.
GrubMarket‘s largest acquisition to date, the move enhances the company’s national produce distribution capabilities, particularly for high-demand tropical fruits and specialty root vegetables.
Founded in 1950 by Roberto Alvarez, Coast Citrus Distributors has a 75-year legacy of providing high-quality products and service. Its operational footprint includes facilities in San Diego and Union City, California, and McAllen, Texas, along with major warehouses in Los Angeles and Princeton, Florida.
The facilities offer advanced ripening and packing capabilities, ensuring diverse customer specifications and packaging needs are met with consistent quality and food safety standards.
Grub Market described Coast Citrus Distributors’ ability to manage a year-round import business, coupled with a fleet of more than 90 trucks providing West Coast delivery, as a major asset.
Its decades-long – often exclusive – relationships with top growers ensure reliable access to high-quality produce. The company has fostered loyal customer relationships, many spanning more than 30 years, including major national retailers such as Albertsons, Costco, Publix, Sam’s Club, Sprouts and Walmart, as well as hundreds of independent grocers and foodservice providers.
“Joining GrubMarket marks an exciting new chapter for Coast Citrus Distributors,” said Isabel Freeland, president and CEO. “We are proud of the tremendous growth we have seen over the years, while always maintaining the highest level of operational excellence driven by our employees’ ‘ownership mentality,’ where everyone operates like a business owner, day in and day out.
“GrubMarket’s commitment to AI technology and innovation aligns perfectly with our vision to continue to elevate our capabilities, strengthen customer relationships and drive future growth through technology integration. We look forward to incredible opportunities ahead as part of the GrubMarket family.”
Following the acquisition, the business will continue to be managed by its leadership team. As part of GrubMarket’s portfolio, Coast Citrus Distributors will gain access to GrubMarket’s AI-powered software solutions, including:
- WholesaleWare: An ERP platform designed for financial management, sales support, precise inventory management, lot traceability, grower accounting and automated routing and logistics;
- GrubAssist AI: A groundbreaking suite of agentic enterprise AI assistants empowering food supply chain businesses with deep insights, intelligent analysis and automated order processing;
- Orders IO: A custom-branded, mobile and online ordering e-commerce solution; and
- GrubPay: A digital payments platform designed for the needs of the food supply chain industry.
“Coast Citrus Distributors’ exceptional reputation in tropical and other unique commodities, extensive grower partnerships and strategic presence throughout the U.S. significantly enhance our capabilities to provide high-quality produce to our customers nationwide, year-round,” added Mike Xu, CEO of GrubMarket.
“This acquisition is, so far, the largest acquisition in the history of GrubMarket. Coast Citrus Distributors complements our business and aligns with our plans for strategic growth across North America.”
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