General News

FRESH DIRECT GROUP OF COMPANIES REQUALIFIES FOR CANADA’S BEST MANAGED COMPANIES PLATINUM STATUS!

Vancouver, BC – May 9th, 2023 – Fresh Direct Produce Ltd. (“Fresh Direct”), and its partner companies Mike & Mike’s Organics, Islands West Manufacturers, and Emperor Specialty Foods are honoured to be one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies over the past decade. This prestigious national award is sponsored by CIBC, Deloitte Private, Salesforce, The Globe and Mail, and TMX Group.

“We are excited to receive our 12th consecutive Best Managed Companies Award. I am very proud of how our team navigated through some very challenging opportunities this past year. I want to thank our team members, customers, vendors and business partners for coming together to ensure a stable supply of nutritious and delicious fresh produce for Canadians despite continuing supply chain disruptions and lingering pandemic restrictions. Our teams are excited to further expand our distribution in Canada as we celebrate our 20th Anniversary in business.” says CEO David Lawrence.

The Fresh Direct Produce Group is one of Canada’s premier fresh produce importers, wholesalers, and marketers with distribution centres in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Toronto. Sourcing and importing over 1,500 ethnic, organic, and conventional fruit and vegetable items from 36 countries, Fresh Direct distributes quality produce to the grocery retailer and foodservice customers across Canada. The Group’s commitment to growth and development allows them to attract and align with the best growers, customers, and talents in the industry.

For additional information about Fresh Direct Produce, please contact: jozef.hubburmin@freshdirectproduce.com.

For more information about Canada’s Best Managed Companies Program, please visit: www.bestmanagedcompanies.ca

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DAVIS YUNG TRANSITIONS FROM CEO & PRESIDENT TO FOCUS ON HIS BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ ROLE

It is bittersweet for us that our leader and Co-Founder, Davis Yung, has recently transitioned from his President & CEO role to the Board of Directors of the Fresh Direct Produce Group of Companies.  After 19 years at the helm of Fresh Direct Produce and growing it into the Group it has become, Davis will take some well-deserved time for himself and his family.  We sincerely miss Davis’s upbeat and infectious energy in our daily interactions at the office but are thrilled that he will continue to support our strategic growth and expansion as a board member and shareholder. 

We would also like to pass along Davis’s gratitude to our fantastic team and our many customers, vendors, and business partners; he thanks you all for your friendships and support and for being an integral part of his produce career over the years. 

On behalf of the Fresh Direct Crew, thank you, Davis, for your exemplary leadership on this incredible journey, particularly your mentorship, vision, and never-ending empowerment.  Enjoy your time with your family, continue to impact positive change, and we hope to see you at our next company event!

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Fresh Direct Group of Companies Requalifies for Canada’s Best Managed Companies Platinum Status!

Vancouver, BC – May 10th, 2022 – Fresh Direct Produce Ltd. (“Fresh Direct”), and its partner companies Mike & Mike’s Organics, Islands West Manufacturers, and Emperor Specialty Foods are honoured to be one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies over the past decade.   This prestigious national award is sponsored by CIBC, Deloitte Private, Salesforce, The Globe and Mail, and TMX Group.

“We are excited to receive our 11th consecutive Best Managed Companies Award. I am very proud of how our team navigated through some very challenging times this past year. I want to thank our team members, customers, vendors and business partners for coming together to ensure a stable supply of nutritious and delicious fresh produce for Canadians despite major supply chain disruptions and pandemic restrictions. I also want to welcome our new private equity partner, PNC Riverarch Capital, who is supporting our continued growth and expansion.” says President and CEO Davis Yung.

The Fresh Direct Produce Group is one of Canada’s premier fresh produce importers, wholesalers, and marketers with distribution centres in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto.   Sourcing and importing over 1,500 ethnic, organic, and conventional fruit and vegetable items from 36 countries, Fresh Direct distributes quality produce to grocery retailers and foodservice distributors across Canada.   The Group’s commitment to growth and development allows them to attract and align with the best growers, customers, and talents in the industry.

For more information about Canada’s Best Managed Companies Program, please visit: www.bestmanagedcompanies.ca

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FRESH DIRECT PRODUCE IS CELEBRATING ITS 19TH YEAR IN BUSINESS!

As we reflect on these years, we know we have grown a lot and have risen to many challenges and opportunities. We have been fortunate to build relationships with our communities and recognize that our opportunities are meant to be shared; this is woven into the Fresh Direct family values. We also know that we could not have done it without the long-standing support of our customers and vendors.

Thank you for your incredible partnerships; we look forward to many more years of this extraordinary journey with you!

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Celebrating our 18th anniversary!

As our team takes a bit of time to celebrate and enjoy our 18th Anniversary, we would like to thank you for all your support to Fresh Direct Produce; we would not be where we are without you!

We all overcame many challenges this past year and showed resiliency and determination to succeed. The coming years will be exhilarating for our organization; we look forward to growing our relationship with you and expanding our business to bring you more exciting items and to service you better.

Thank you again for being part of our Fresh Direct family and us making a healthy difference together!

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Covid-19 Best Practice Training Video

Covid Update (Dec 15 2020 - FH)

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Making a Healthy Difference

COVID-19 UPDATE: A MESSAGE TO OUR COMMUNITY - April 08 2020

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Press Release - Fresh Direct Produce Acquires Mike and Mike's Organics

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In loving memory of our Co-founder, Kam Chiu Lee

We are disheartened to share with you the news that Kam Chiu Lee (Kam, Chiu gor), our dear friend, spirit leader, and a Co-founder of Fresh Direct Produce, passed away peacefully on March 24th at VGH after his short battle with cancer.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Irene, and their sons, Alan and Raymond.

Kam worked most of his life in the produce industry since the mid-1980s.  In 2003, Kam, along with Davis Yung and Albert Lum, established Fresh Direct Produce.  With an incredible passion for produce and an immense work ethic, Kam was the first to arrive every day and often the very last to leave.  He greeted everyone (drivers, customers, staff, visitors...) with a big smile on his face, and he loved everyone; he was much loved and respected in return.  Many staff affectionately called Kam “Uncle Chiu” or “Chiu gor” (big brother Chiu), as he taught many of us the values of a strong work ethic and resilience.  Our family and community will greatly miss his wisdom, caring, humour, and heart. 

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak restrictions, the funeral service to be held on April 2nd, 2020, at Glenhaven Memorial Chapel will be limited to only family members.  The Lee Family is kindly requesting that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation.

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COVID-19 Update: A message to our Community - March 26 2020

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COVID-19 Update: A message to our Community - March 16 2020

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Fresh Direct Produce’s Ninth Consecutive Best Managed Companies Award Win!

Fresh Direct Produce earns Canada’s Best Managed Companies Platinum Status

Vancouver, BC – March 5, 2020 – Fresh Direct Produce Ltd. (“Fresh Direct”) is honoured to be one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for the ninth consecutive year.  This prestigious national award is sponsored by CIBC, Deloitte Private, Canadian Business, Smith School of Business, and TMX Group.

“Our Team is honoured to receive its ninth Best Managed Companies Award.  We acquired Emperor Specialty Foods and Islands West Manufacturers this past year to expand our value-added program to Canadian retailers and foodservice operators.  We continue to grow and expand our geographic reach and product offerings to support our loyal vendors and customers who are the cornerstone of our success.  With our business partner Hammond, Kennedy, Whitney & Company (HKW), a private equity firm founded in 1903 with offices in Indianapolis and New York, we are excited to explore additional expansion opportunities across Canada.” says President and Co-Founder Davis Yung.

Fresh Direct is one of Western Canada’s premier fresh produce importers, wholesalers, and marketers with five distribution centres in Vancouver, Victoria, and Calgary.  Sourcing and importing a vast selection of conventional and organic fruit and vegetable items from 36 countries, Fresh Direct is making a healthy difference to Canadians.  For more information about Fresh Direct Produce, please visit www.freshdirectproduce.com.

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Fresh Direct Produce’s Eighth Consecutive Best Managed Companies Award Win!

Vancouver, BC – March 7, 2019 – Fresh Direct Produce Ltd. (“Fresh Direct”) is honoured to be one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for eight consecutive years.   This prestigious national award is sponsored by CIBC, Deloitte Private, Canadian Business, Smith School of Business, and TMX Group.

“Our Team is honoured to receive its eighth consecutive Best Managed Companies Award.  We celebrated our 15th year anniversary this past year with exceptional growth and business development.  We continue to expand our geographic coverage and product offerings to service our loyal customers who are the cornerstone of our success.  With our new business partner Hammond, Kennedy, Whitney & Company (HKW), a private equity firm founded in 1903 with offices in Indianapolis and New York, we are excited to explore further expansion opportunities across North America.” says President and Co-Founder Davis Yung.

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2018 BCFPA Member of the Year Award

Fresh Direct Produce is very pleased to receive the BCFPA Member of the Year Award for 2018.  Our multi-layered partnership with the Association includes participating on various peer groups and its Board of Directors, sponsorships, advocacy and promotions, and events.

Company Profile

Our 15th anniversary profile has just been released. It is featured in Canadian Grocer’s April, 2018 CPMA issue. We thank our vendors and community partners for supporting our profile.

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Best Managed Companies

Fresh Direct is honoured to be one of Canada's Best Managed Companies for seven consecutive years and has become a Platinum winner. This prestigious national award is sponsored by CIBC, Deloitte, National Post, Queen's School of Business, and MacKay CEO Forums. "Our team is honoured to receive the Best Managed Platinum Award for maintaining our commitment to pursuing excellence."

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Fresh Direct Produce Group of Companies Profile

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