FreshDirect, an online food shopping service which delivers to US consumers, has opened a new FreshDirect Campus (FDC) to expand its manufacturing and distribution capabilities.
The new facility is based in the South Bronx, New York City, and will enable FreshDirect to add thousands of new products, the company says. The new FDC will enhance the way consumers can enjoy fresh produce under a ‘farm-to-fork’ concept.
The FDC will promote quality and safety through temperature controlled areas designed to keep food fresh. Areas will be provided to store meat, seafood, produce, deli, bakery, and prepared food items along with a separate freezer room for ice cream. Refrigerated rooms will also be provided for bananas, tomatoes, and onions to ensure the products are stored under optimum conditions.
FreshDirect says that every staff member has been selected and trained for each of their individual tasks, and personal shoppers will become experts in their own products as they will handle the same items 20-30 times a day.
In keeping with a sustainable outlook, FreshDirect says that the FDC will use significantly less energy through one refrigerated central food facility. FreshDirect says that this ensures a huge fossil fuel reduction compared to brick-and-mortar stores.
FreshDirect CEO and co-founder, Jason Ackerman, said: “The launch of the FreshDirect Campus is the culmination of 16 years of learnings that have enabled us to reinvent the grocery industry with customer experience, food quality, and sustainability at its core.
“This marks a pivotal moment for our business, while positioning us for future growth. We can also better serve the community by providing greater access to fresh food and significantly reducing food waste, cardboard use, and energy consumption. We are thrilled to officially be a part of the Bronx community and are very thankful for the local support we’ve received throughout this journey.”
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