As part of its commitment to meet and exceed the ever-changing needs of consumers, SpartanNash celebrated the grand opening of its Fargo Produce Distribution Center. The 80,000-square-foot facility has the capacity for 1,600 items -- including 300 organic items -- and is solely dedicated to produce and floral distribution in order to provide the freshest and highest quality offerings available.
To bring the Fargo Produce DC to life, SpartanNash invested nearly $10 million and created 30 jobs, including specialized warehouse teams, dedicated quality control associates and a banana-ripening lead.
“SpartanNash is committed to delivering best-in-class products throughout our supply chain, and today, that commitment now includes fresher than ever produce and floral options for customers serviced out of the state-of-the-art Fargo Produce Distribution Center,” said Walt Lentz, president of food distribution. “This facility highlights our commitment to our customers, independent retailers and the Fargo community as a whole.”
Located in Fargo, ND, the Fargo Produce DC includes state-of-the-art avocado and banana ripening rooms -- featuring organic flash sustainable technology for improved shelf life and color consistency -- three dedicated temperature zones for optimal product storage and a large variety of fresh plants and floral available for next-day delivery.
The facility will also carry an expanded cut fruit and vegetable product line, designed to help time-starved shoppers answer the question, “What’s for dinner?” in a quick and convenient way. The DC inventory will include a variety of fresh juices and beverages, dressings, snacks and nuts, and specialty and tropical produce to complement their other offerings.
As the sixth-largest wholesale food distributor in the nation, SpartanNash’s Fargo Produce DC will serve its own corporate-owned retail stores and independent retail customers in surrounding states.
In addition to consumer staples, including bananas, grapes and cherries, the Fargo Produce DC will also showcase SpartanNash’s commitment to supporting local growers and producers, carrying locally grown red and russet potatoes, tomatoes, green peppers, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, sweet corn, cabbage and apples as seasonally available.
The Fargo Produce DC also highlights SpartanNash’s corporate responsibility commitments, including investments in energy-efficient LED Green illumination technology to reduce heat, environmentally sustainable refrigeration and non-CO2 emitting industrial warehouse equipment.
SpartanNash also owns and operates 10 Family Fare and Dan’s Supermarket stores in North Dakota, as well as a 289,000-square-foot distribution center in Fargo that distributes grocery, meat, dairy and frozen items.
