PRO*ACT’s 70 distribution centers to supply fresh produce to global hospitality and food service company’s 150 U.S. locations
BUFFALO, N.Y. (June 17, 2009) – Delaware North Companies today announced it has awarded produce specialist PRO*ACT a national contract to supply fresh produce for its U.S. food service operations.
Terms of the contract were not disclosed, but Delaware North estimated that PRO*ACT will be supplying 500,000 or more cases of fresh produce annually once the contract is fully implemented. Delaware North operates restaurants and concessions at U.S. sports venues, entertainment destinations, national and state parks, hotels and airports – more than 150 locations in all.
PRO*ACT, based in Monterey, Calif., sources and delivers fresh produce for the food service industry though 70 distribution centers – primarily established local and regional produce distributors – across the United States and Canada. The company requires third-party inspections of all its distributors, shippers, processors and growers to ensure their operations meet food safety standards and are fully qualified to become PRO*ACT supply chain partners.
“Working with PRO*ACT will enable Delaware North to streamline our produce supply chain and potentially increase our use of sustainable and regionally grown produce,” said Michael Reinert, vice president of supply management services for the $2 billion global hospitality and food service company.
In addition, PRO*ACT offers Delaware North increased supply chain visibility and traceability – the ability to trace the supply source to the point of origin, providing an important food safety assurance to clients and guests, Reinert said.
“PRO*ACT has instituted a tracking program with its suppliers and distributors that allows products to be tracked from farm to fork and for quick response. If there is a potential problem, we will have a very good chance of knowing and trusting that produce we have purchased is unaffected and safe to serve to our guests,” he said.
Reinert said the national PRO*ACT program will also help ensure Delaware North’s locations are leveraging cost benefits associated with the large-scale volume the company will be purchasing regionally and nationally.
Some Delaware North locations were already working with PRO*ACT, and Delaware North’s Sportservice baseball accounts, including eight in the Major Leagues, began using the program when the season started in April. The PRO*ACT program is being rolled out to Delaware North’s other locations through the summer.
PRO*ACT’s 70 distribution centers are able to supply 90 percent of Delaware North’s locations, and PRO*ACT is identifying new distributors to eventually provide 100-percent coverage for the company, Reinert said.
PRO*ACT is being featured on AndNowUKnow.com, the video news website of the fresh produce industry. Click the link to watch the And Now U Know video.