Coca-Cola Beverages Florida expands operations with $10m investment

Nov 7, 2024
2 min read

Coca-Cola Beverages Florida has opened its new Ocala Sales and Distribution Center in Silver Springs Boulevard, US.

The facility – which is nearly 28,000-square-feet – represents a $10 million investment by Coke Florida and will create a permanent hub for the company’s local operations.

The company's Ocala operations deliver more than 2 million units of Coca-Cola products and partner brands each year across Florida counties Marion, Sumter, Citrus, Hernando and Lake.

Thomas Benford, president and chief operating officer of Coke Florida, said: “This new facility is significant to Coke Florida's ongoing investment strategy and enhances our distribution and service capabilities. We're seeing a tremendous amount of opportunity in the Ocala market. As a business, Coke Florida is always striving to meet customer demand through improved service and product availability, while supporting continued growth and strengthening our presence and partnerships in the greater Ocala area.”

Ben Marciano, Mayor of Ocala, commented: “We could not be more excited to be here today celebrating Coke Florida’s expansion. As a Florida-based, locally owned, locally managed business, the investment by Coke Florida means opportunity – opportunities for development, jobs, partnerships and economic impact.”

John Horner, Coke Florida's territory general manager for Ocala, added: “We believe in making a positive impact in the areas where we live, work and play. Our operations employ more than 100 associates in various roles, including CDL drivers, sales account managers, sales merchandisers and warehouse staff. They are ecstatic about the location of the new facility bringing them closer to home, continuing to offer world-class service to our customers in a more efficient way, and opportunities to now host community partners.”

Coke Florida has supported the local communities in the Ocala region since it was established in 2015 as an independent Coca-Cola bottler. During the inauguration, Coke Florida announced plans to donate laptops and other educational resources to fully upgrade a technology lab for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Marion County. In addition to the technology lab, the Coke Florida Technology team will lead digital skills training courses to increase students' digital fluency.

#CocaCola #CokeFlorida #US

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Leah Smith

8 May 2026

New products

Ella’s Kitchen launches new children's snack range

Ella’s Kitchen is expanding beyond the baby food aisle with the launch of Ella’s Kitchen Kids, a new product line aimed at children aged 18 months and older.

The launch marks a significant strategic move for the brand as it looks to extend its presence beyond the weaning category and capture growing demand for healthier snack options for toddlers and young children.

Positioned as a “better-for-you” alternative to traditional children’s snacks, the new range combines bold flavours, playful branding and convenient formats with the nutritional standards parents associate with the Ella’s Kitchen brand.

The company said the range was developed in response to changing family eating habits and the lack of minimally processed snack options for older toddlers outside the baby aisle.

Initial products include Ella’s Kitchen Kids Crunchy Stix in Cheese + Onion, Tomato + Basil and Pesto varieties, alongside Ella’s Kitchen Kids Wild Crackers available in Tomato + Oregano, Pea + Basil and Carrot + Rosemary flavours.

Designed for lunchboxes, picnics and snacking occasions, the products are formulated with reduced salt levels and classified as non-HFSS options. According to the company, the Crunchy Stix contain less than 0.04g of salt per pack, while the Crackers contain less than 0.05g per serving.

Emma Wood, Senior Brand Manager at Ella’s Kitchen, said: “Ella’s Kitchen Kids is about recognising that the journey doesn’t stop at baby food. As little ones grow, their tastes, independence and routines all change – but parents still want options they can feel good about.”

The launch also signals Ella’s Kitchen’s wider ambitions within the children’s snacking market, with additional products and categories expected later this year.

Wood added that the company aims to help “raise the standards of the kids’ food category” by balancing taste, convenience and nutrition.