Gulf Coast Produce Distributors
Gulf Coast Produce Distributors is a family-owned wholesale produce distributor in Biloxi, MS, supplying fresh produce, dairy, and foodservice staples to restaurants, hotels, hospitals, and schools across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama from a 30,000 sq ft temperature-controlled, GFSI-certified warehouse.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersBiloxi, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Gulf Coast Produce Distributors does
Gulf Coast Produce Distributors, Inc. is a private, family-owned wholesale produce distributor founded in 1995 in Biloxi, Mississippi by Mike and Christi Alise. The company distributes fresh produce, dairy, herbs and spices, frozen goods, paper goods, sauces, beverages, and value-added prepped items to restaurants, hotels, hospitals, schools, and other foodservice operators across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, with a public-facing pickup and DoorDash-delivered option for consumers. Its physical platform is a 30,000 sq ft GFSI Certified, USDA-Inspected HACCP, and Primus GFS (2024) temperature-controlled warehouse with a climate-controlled shipping and receiving dock, supporting a 1,300+ SKU range sourced from local growers and national brands including Del Monte, Driscoll's, Chiquita, Taylor Farms, Mann's, and Monterey Mushrooms.
The business operates on a quote-based wholesale B2B model with a territory-based sales team of roughly eight representatives covering distinct sub-regions, supported by a ProducePro online ordering portal, an iOS/Android checkout app, phone orders, and a DoorDash marketplace listing. A partnership with Produce Alliance LLC (since 1997) provides consolidated purchasing leverage, and the company is certified as a WBE/Minority-Owned Business, recognized as the largest minority-owned business in Mississippi in 2023. Named customers include Aramark, Sodexo, and C.H. Robinson, but the broader base consists of a horizontal mix of SMB and institutional foodservice accounts across the Gulf Coast region. The company has no disclosed outside capital, operates with 51-100 employees, and has historically reinvested organically since founder Mike Alise acquired Biloxi Produce in 1996.
Gulf Coast Produce Distributors firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Gulf Coast Produce Distributors
- Legal name
- Gulf Coast Produce Distributors, Inc.
- Website
- https://gcproduce.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Gulf Coast Produce Distributors is a family-owned wholesale produce distributor in Biloxi, MS, supplying fresh produce, dairy, and foodservice staples to restaurants, hotels, hospitals, and schools across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama from a 30,000 sq ft temperature-controlled, GFSI-certified warehouse.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Gulf Coast Produce Distributors industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Wholesale Produce Distribution
- NAICS
- Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Merchant Wholesalers (42448), Grocery and Related Product Merchant Wholesalers (4244)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Groceries & Related Products (5140), Wholesale-Groceries, General Line (5141)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Regional/Local Broadline Foodservice Distributors (AFAIAAAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Foodservice / HORECA Produce Wholesale (AFAIACAI), Noncommercial/Institutional Broadline Distributors (K-12, Higher Ed, Healthcare, Government) (AFAIAAAC)
Keywords
Where Gulf Coast Produce Distributors is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Biloxi
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Gulf Coast Produce Distributors business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Fresh Produce Distribution: Wholesale distribution of fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, herbs/spices, frozen goods, paper goods, and specialty items to restaurants, businesses, and the public. Products sourced from local and national growers including conventional produce, micro herbs, specialty, and heirloom produce. 1300+ fresh products ranging from chef specialties to seasonal produce.
- B2B Partnership Sales: Direct B2B sales to commercial partners including restaurants, hotels, hospitals, schools, and organizations. Delivery service 6 days per week with low delivery minimums. Specialty items and custom orders available through sales representatives.
- Consumer Direct Sales: Sales to general public through DoorDash marketplace and scheduled warehouse pickup. Grocery boxes and individual products available for consumer orders.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Wholesale B2B pricing through partner accounts |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels4 records
Gulf Coast Produce Distributors product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Gulf Coast Produce Distributors is a wholesale distributor of fresh produce, dairy, frozen goods, herbs/spices, beverages, sauces, paper goods, and specialty items, operating from a 30,000 sq ft GFSI-certified, 100% temperature-controlled warehouse in Biloxi, MS. The company sells 1,300+ products to restaurants, foodservice operators, hospitals, schools, hotels, and organizations across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama via dedicated sales reps, an online ordering portal, and a mobile checkout app, with secondary consumer sales via DoorDash and warehouse pickup.
Product overview
Gulf Coast Produce Distributors operates as a wholesale produce distributor offering a comprehensive portfolio of fresh, frozen, and prepared food products. The core offering centers on fresh produce including fruits, vegetables, herbs, and specialty/exotic items sourced from local and national growers. Supporting product lines include dairy products, beverages/juices, sauces and dressings, paper goods, and frozen items. The company also provides value-added services through prepped/cut produce items and pre-assembled seasonal grocery boxes (Mixed Seasonal Fruit Box, Mixed Vegetable Box, Salad Box). Distribution is facilitated through multiple channels including a B2B online ordering system (ProducePro platform), a mobile checkout app for iOS and Android, and DoorDash marketplace integration for direct consumer delivery. The company serves commercial customers (restaurants, organizations) as well as retail consumers across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Fresh Produce Distribution Wholesale distribution of fresh fruits and vegetables sourced from local and national growers, including conventional produce, micro herbs, specialty, and heirloom varieties, delivered to restaurants, foodservice operators, and institutions across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
- Dairy Products Wholesale dairy line including cheeses, cream, eggs, milk, butter, buttermilk, yogurt, and sour cream, distributed to foodservice and commercial customers.
- Beverages and Juices Fresh juices including apple, grape, guava lemonade, lemon, lime, orange, pineapple, and strawberry lemonade, distributed via wholesale and consumer channels.
- Herbs and Spices Selection of culinary herbs, spices, seasonings, and baking essentials including basil, cajun seasoning, cayenne, garlic powder, cumin, and oregano, distributed to restaurant and consumer customers.
- Frozen Products Frozen food items including bacon and ice cream mix, distributed to foodservice and consumer customers.
- Specialty/Exotic Produce Seasonal specialty and exotic produce from around the world including dragon fruit, various melons, tropical fruits, and heirloom vegetables, distributed to restaurants and consumers.
- Paper Goods Paper and disposable products including cutlery kits, napkins, and plastic wrap/cling film, distributed to foodservice and consumer customers.
- Sauces and Dressings Condiments including Ken's Ranch Dressing, Ken's Extra Heavy Mayo, Frank's Red Hot Sauce, French's Worcestershire Sauce, and Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce, distributed to foodservice and consumer customers.
- Prepped Items Pre-cut and pre-prepared produce items including diced vegetables, shredded cabbage, sliced fruits, and ready-to-use ingredients for commercial kitchens.
- Mixed Seasonal Fruit Box Pre-assembled seasonal fruit box containing bananas, grapes, pineapple, cantaloupe/honeydew, strawberries, berries, oranges, and apples, available for consumer pickup and DoorDash delivery.
- Mixed Vegetable Box Pre-assembled vegetable box with cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, onions, potatoes, squash, and zucchini, available for consumer pickup and DoorDash delivery.
- Salad Box Pre-assembled salad components including romaine and iceberg lettuce, onions, avocados, radishes, cucumbers, tomatoes, mushrooms, and carrots, available for consumer pickup and DoorDash delivery.
- Gulf Coast Produce Checkout App Mobile ordering application available on iOS and Android platforms enabling quick and easy ordering for customers of Gulf Coast Produce.
- Online Ordering System Web-based B2B ordering platform (ProducePro) accessible at orders.gcproduce.com for wholesale customers to place orders with their dedicated sales representatives.
Quantifiable outcome
- 30,000 sq ft temperature-controlled warehouse ensures product freshness and reduces waste
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Gulf Coast Produce Distributors
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Gulf Coast Produce Distributors technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature4 records
Gulf Coast Produce Distributors partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Produce Alliance LLCcorePartnership formed in 1997 to achieve competitive advantage through consolidated purchasing and streamlined produce supply chain, allowing cost benefits to be passed to customers.
- Local Farmers and GrowerscoreDirect relationships with local farmers and producers ensuring food safety and sustainable agriculture practices. Local growers required to adhere to Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs). Farm-to-Table initiative promoting locally-sourced produce with reduced food miles.
- Del MonteminorNational produce brand available through Gulf Coast Produce distribution network.
- Mann's ProduceminorFresh produce supplier integrated into Gulf Coast Produce product offerings.
- Taylor FarmsminorFresh produce and foodservice supplier available through distribution network.
- Driscoll'sminorBerry and specialty produce brand available through Gulf Coast distribution.
- ChiquitaminorInternational banana and fresh fruit brand in distribution network.
- Monterey MushroomsminorFresh mushroom supplier available through Gulf Coast Produce.
- AramarkminorNational food service management company utilizing Gulf Coast Produce for regional distribution.
- C.H. RobinsonminorThird-party logistics provider partnered for supply chain operations.
- SodexominorGlobal food services and facilities management company sourcing produce from Gulf Coast.
- US Federal Contractor Registration (USFCR)minorVerified vendor status through US Federal Contractor Registration System for Award Management.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Gulf Coast Produce Distributors competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Sysco Corporation: Largest U.S. broadline foodservice distributor, offering fresh produce, dairy, frozen, and paper goods to restaurants, healthcare, and education customers. Competes with Gulf Coast Produce across the same institutional and restaurant segments, though at vastly greater scale and geographic reach.
- US Foods: Major broadline foodservice distributor with a strong fresh produce program and national foodservice customer base. Overlaps with Gulf Coast Produce in restaurants, healthcare, and education channels across the Gulf Coast region.
- Performance Food Group: Large broadline foodservice distributor (Vistar/Performance Foodservice) serving restaurants, healthcare, and education nationwide. Comparable customer mix and product breadth to Gulf Coast Produce, with deeper scale and broader geographic coverage.
- Gordon Food Service: Large broadline foodservice distributor serving restaurants, healthcare, education, and retail across North America. Overlaps with Gulf Coast Produce in fresh produce, dairy, frozen, and paper goods categories across institutional channels.
- Reinhart Foodservice: Broadline foodservice distributor (a division of Sysco competitor Performance Foodservice) serving restaurants, healthcare, and institutional customers across the Midwest, South, and beyond. Comparable product breadth and customer mix to Gulf Coast Produce at greater scale.
Direct peers
- Ben E. Keith Foods: Regional broadline foodservice distributor headquartered in the U.S. South, serving restaurants, healthcare, and institutional customers with fresh produce, dairy, frozen, and paper goods. Closely comparable in regional scope and product breadth to Gulf Coast Produce.
- Shamrock Foods Company: Family-owned foodservice and consumer products distributor in the Southwest U.S., offering fresh produce, dairy, frozen, and grocery items to restaurants and institutions. Highly comparable as a regional, founder-led broadline distributor with similar product mix and customer segments.
- FreshPoint: Sysco subsidiary specializing in fresh produce, dairy, and specialty foodservice distribution to restaurants and institutions nationwide. Directly comparable product offering (fresh produce-centric broadline) and customer base, operating at significantly greater scale.
- KeHE Foodservice Distributors: Specialty and broadline foodservice distributor focused on fresh, natural, and organic products for restaurants and retailers. Comparable in its emphasis on fresh produce and specialty items, with broader geographic reach than Gulf Coast Produce.
Others
- C&S Wholesale Grocers: Largest U.S. grocery wholesaler, supplying independent retailers and chains with grocery, fresh, frozen, and household goods. Adjacent peer — overlaps in fresh produce and broadline grocery distribution, though primarily serving retail rather than foodservice.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Gulf Coast Produce Distributors social profiles
Digital presenceGulf Coast Produce Distributors compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Gulf Coast Produce Distributors financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Gulf Coast Produce Distributors leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Gulf Coast Produce Distributors funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Gulf Coast Produce Distributors M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Gulf Coast Produce Distributors
What does Gulf Coast Produce Distributors do?
Gulf Coast Produce Distributors is a wholesale distributor of fresh produce, dairy, frozen goods, herbs/spices, beverages, sauces, paper goods, and specialty items, operating from a 30,000 sq ft GFSI-certified, 100% temperature-controlled warehouse in Biloxi, MS. The company sells 1,300+ products to restaurants, foodservice operators, hospitals, schools, hotels, and organizations across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama via dedicated sales reps, an online ordering portal, and a mobile checkout app, with secondary consumer sales via DoorDash and warehouse pickup.
Is Gulf Coast Produce Distributors a public or private company?
Gulf Coast Produce Distributors is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Gulf Coast Produce Distributors founded?
Gulf Coast Produce Distributors was founded in 1995. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Gulf Coast Produce Distributors based?
Gulf Coast Produce Distributors is headquartered in Biloxi, United States, in the North America region.
How does Gulf Coast Produce Distributors make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Fresh Produce Distribution is the primary driver. The others are B2B Partnership Sales and consumer Direct Sales.
Who are Gulf Coast Produce Distributors's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Sysco Corporation, US Foods, Performance Food Group, Gordon Food Service and Reinhart Foodservice. Direct peers are Ben E. Keith Foods, Shamrock Foods Company, FreshPoint and KeHE Foodservice Distributors. C&S Wholesale Grocers is listed as an others.
Does Gulf Coast Produce Distributors have an API?
No public API is recorded for Gulf Coast Produce Distributors.
What industry is Gulf Coast Produce Distributors in?
Gulf Coast Produce Distributors's product category is Wholesale Produce Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAIAAAB, Regional/Local Broadline Foodservice Distributors, with a secondary code of AFAIACAI, Foodservice / HORECA Produce Wholesale. Its NAICS code is 42448 and its SIC code is 5140.