GrubMarket acquires speciality fruit provider Bengard Marketing

San Francisco-based food technology company GrubMarket has continued its acquisition spree with the takeover of speciality fruit provider Bengard Marketing.

Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed by either company.

GrubMarket CEO Mike Xu said: “Bengard Marketing is a highly reputable speciality fruit provider with a passion for people and produce.

“They created a business sector of sourcing sustainable fair-trade produce from South America, and have since then been a top provider of cherries and stone fruits from South America.

“Their customer-centric team works directly with sustainable growers in Chile, Argentina, Peru, New Zealand, and the United States to supply high-quality fruits to the US market.

The acquisition of Bengard Marketing will extend GrubMarket’s strategic reach to sustainable growers in Chile, Argentina, Peru, and New Zealand.

It is the GrubMarket’s sixth acquisition in the Los Angeles region and it intends to further strengthen its strategic presence in the region.

GrubMarket said that Bengard Marketing will continue to operate from its base in Los Angeles and be managed by its existing leadership team.

Bengard Marketing CEO Broc Bengard said: “We are delighted to join the GrubMarket family and look forward the new growth opportunities that GrubMarket’s technology and network will bring. Bengard Marketing built its success with buyers and suppliers on integrity and honesty. GrubMarket shares the same principles we have.

“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. For more than 35 years, it has been our honour to bring quality, freshness and food safety to the marketplace, a tradition to be continued as we move ahead.”

In September, GrubMarket accelerated its expansion strategy in the US with the purchase of Texas-based fresh fruits and vegetable provider Fresh Tex Produce.