GREENSBORO, NC – Foster-Caviness has been awarded multiple major competitive contracts totaling up to $93,750,000 through the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to soldiers and school children throughout North Carolina. This is the third time the DLA has awarded the contracts to the Greensboro based produce distributor, who has been providing fresh produce to soldiers and school children through this program since 2007. Awarded state by state, the armed forces focused program is managed by the DLA through the Department of Defense to provide Fort Bragg, Seymour Johnson AFB, Pope AFB, Cherry Point, and Camp Lejeune. DLA partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 1994 to provide fresh fruits and vegetables through the National School Lunch Program.
The USDA provides similar funding to those North Carolina public school systems that request the produce program. Through a bid process, a prime vendor for the program is awarded each contract based on a combination of factors including price, technical capability, and prior performance ratings. “We are grateful to have been considered and selected as the produce distributor for these contracts. It is our honor to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to both our soldiers and school children throughout North Carolina,” says Paul Lieb, president of Foster-Caviness. Having distribution centers in Greensboro, Raleigh, and Charlotte allows the company to provide the consistent logistical capabilities that such a program requires. Foster-Caviness also makes great efforts to use local North Carolina farmers to supply the produce. Through its Friends of Farmers local produce initiative; the company coordinates with the NC Department of Agriculture and farmers throughout the state for the produce they provide to restaurants, retail establishments, corporate entities, schools, and governmental agencies. “We make every effort we can to provide locally grown produce to support this program, as well as the needs of our commercial clientele,” adds Lieb. “The Friends of Farmers program allows us to make this truly a statewide effort from farm to fork.”
Foster-Caviness is a North Carolina based, family owned distributor of fresh fruits, vegetables, and artisan products to restaurants, retail establishments, schools, corporate entities, and governmental agencies. With it’s corporate headquarters in Greensboro, and additional distribution centers in Raleigh, Charlotte, and Myrtle Beach, Foster- Caviness delivers throughout North Carolina, South Carolina and southern Virginia. From a competitive advantage gained by affiliation with PRO*ACT, a national produce supply chain organization, and it’s Friends of Farmers local produce initiative, the company delivers 6 days a week with a fleet of over 60 refrigerated trucks. For more on Foster- Caviness, go to www.foster-caviness.com.
Source: Foster-Caviness
