TruSource has officially launched a new fresh produce collective aimed at strengthening local produce services across the eastern United States.
The Charlotte-based initiative brings together leading regional operating companies with a focus on service, quality, and reliability.
Founded in early 2025, TruSource currently includes Freshway Foods, Forestwood, and Nickey Gregory, which together have over 100 years of experience in the fresh produce industry.
These companies serve more than 4,000 customers and operate a distribution network reaching 26 states east of the Mississippi River.
Through TruSource, each operating company maintains its individual identity and local relationships while gaining access to shared resources and broader sourcing strength.
- TruSource launched a collective to enhance local produce services.
- The initiative includes Freshway Foods, Forestwood, and Nickey Gregory.
- Companies serve over 4,000 customers across 26 eastern states.
- Individual identities preserved while leveraging shared resources for growth.
- Focus on local agility and building resilient supply chains.
This collective approach is designed to enhance operational support and expand the capabilities of these companies, enabling them to serve customers across a growing national footprint.
TruSource was created to address the needs of a fresh produce marketplace that demands local agility and resilient supply chains.
According to Elton Evans, founder, chairman, and CEO of TruSource, the aim is to preserve what makes regional distributors successful while adding the necessary capabilities to compete and grow in a competitive market.
For customers, TruSource promises greater reliability and expanded capabilities while maintaining the local service they trust.
Customers will continue to work with the local teams and brands they know, while the operating companies benefit from shared support to enhance sourcing, distribution, and processing.
Kristie Waters, chief commercial officer of TruSource, emphasized that the collective provides the ability to stay close to customers and markets while gaining the broader resources needed to serve them better.
This approach also aims to build sustainable supplier partnerships that strengthen the supply network and create value for both customers and suppliers.
TruSource plans to expand through a thoughtful selection process, focusing on companies with strong leadership and a customer-first service culture.
The goal is to contribute meaningfully to the collective while leveraging the scale, resources, and infrastructure of a national network.
With its local roots and collective strength, TruSource is poised to become a significant player in the fresh produce industry, offering a unique blend of local expertise and national reach.
As the collective continues to grow, it aims to provide even more comprehensive services to its customers and strengthen its position in the marketplace.
