Ben E. Keith Foods on Wednesday broke ground on construction on a new, 707,000-square-foot distribution center in northern Florida.
The company said that the state-of-the-art Alachua facility will span 148 acres and be one of Florida's largest and most technologically advanced distribution centers.
The project will also house the company's Florida division headquarters, which will manage operations throughout Florida and up to Charleston, South Carolina. It is expected to create more than 400 jobs over the next five years, in addition to the over 230 workers the company already employs at its Gainesville operations.
"We acquired Florida Food Service in 2022 with a commitment to carry on the Islam family legacy, while uncovering new opportunities to expand and serve customers across the region," Mike Sweet, president of Ben E. Keith, said in a statement. "We are deeply committed to Alachua County and the surrounding communities in which we live, work and serve, and we look forward to many more years of shared success."
Construction for the project will begin in early 2025 with a completion date by fall 2026.
