Ole Tyme Produce

What Ole Tyme Produce does

Ole Tyme Produce Inc. is a privately held, woman-owned B2B wholesale distributor of fresh produce and food products headquartered in St. Charles, Missouri, founded in 1973 and operating for over 50 years. The company distributes fresh fruits and vegetables, along with grocery, dairy, frozen, meat/seafood, specialty Italian products, micro greens, and a Grab-n-Go convenience line, to six vertical customer segments: restaurants, healthcare and senior living, schools and institutions, hospitality (hotels and casinos), retail grocery, and government entities. Its product ecosystem includes a proprietary web-based ordering platform (ProducePro) and iOS/Android mobile applications, complemented by an own-fleet refrigerated distribution operation with daily routing, ELD delivery tracking, sealed shipping docks, and constant digital temperature monitoring to within one-tenth of a degree. The company holds SQF Level 2 certification (audited by NSF Certification LLC), WBENC woman-owned certification, Green Business Bureau certification, and Avendra Produce Alliance approved vendor status, and participates in the PRO*ACT and Frosty Acres cooperative buying groups, which provide national-scale procurement reach while the company operates locally in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Revenue is generated through transaction-based B2B wholesale distribution with quote-based, non-public pricing customized to each customer, and the company sells under its own brand alongside specialty sub-brand Sam Rose and local vendor partnerships.

Name

Ole Tyme Produce

Legal name

Ole Tyme Produce Inc.

Website

https://oletyme.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Ole Tyme Produce is a woman-owned, St. Louis-based B2B wholesale distributor of fresh produce and food products, serving restaurants, healthcare, schools, hospitality, retail, and government accounts across the St. Louis metropolitan area since 1973.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fresh Produce Wholesale Distribution

SIC

Wholesale-Groceries, General Line (5141)

akta.pro primary industry

Ethnic Produce & Specialty Vegetables Wholesale (AFAIAIAD)

Keywords

• Fresh produce distribution
• Wholesale food distribution
• Specialty grocery supply
• Hospitality food service
• Cold chain logistics

Headquarters

HQ city

St. Charles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Fresh Produce Distribution: B2B wholesale distribution of fresh produce to restaurants, healthcare facilities, schools, hospitality, retail, and government entities. Products include vegetables, fruits, specialty produce, and fresh-cut items.
2. Grocery and Specialty Products: Distribution of grocery items, dairy, frozen products, proteins, dry goods, and specialty Italian products to their customer base
3. Grab-n-Go Products: Pre-made fresh food items including sandwiches, wraps, salads, granola, yogurt, parfaits, nuts, and juices for hospitality customers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Ole Tyme Produce is a B2B wholesale distributor that supplies fresh fruits, vegetables, micro greens, dairy, frozen items, meat/seafood, specialty groceries, and grab-n-go fresh foods to restaurants, healthcare facilities, schools, hospitality operators, retailers, and government entities across the St. Louis region. Customers place orders through dedicated account specialists or a proprietary online ordering platform and mobile app, and receive next-day delivery via a refrigerated fleet from a SQF Level 2 certified distribution facility.

Product overview

Ole Tyme Produce is a woman-owned, St. Louis-based fresh food distributor operating since 1973. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of products and services organized around a core fresh produce distribution business supplemented by specialty product categories including grocery and specialties, meat/seafood, dairy, frozen products, grab-n-go items, micro greens and flowers, and non-food items. The product ecosystem includes a proprietary online ordering platform (ProducePro) and mobile applications for iOS and Android. Service offerings are segmented by industry vertical: restaurants, healthcare/senior living, schools/institutions, hospitality/hotels/casinos, retail, and government entities. Key brands include the Sam Rose specialty line. The company emphasizes local vendor partnerships with regional farmers and artisans alongside premium national brands like Driscoll's, Dole, Taylor Farms, and D'Arrigo Brothers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fresh Produce Distribution Core B2B wholesale distribution service delivering fresh fruits and vegetables on refrigerated trucks from a SQF Level 2 certified facility to restaurants, healthcare, schools, hospitality, retail, and government customers in the St. Louis region.
• ProducePro Online Ordering Platform Proprietary web-based ordering platform enabling Ole Tyme Produce customers to browse the full product catalog, place orders, track deliveries, and manage their accounts online 24/7.
• Specialty Grocery and Non-Produce Distribution Wholesale distribution of complementary grocery, meat/seafood, dairy, and frozen product lines — including specialty Italian items, antipasto, baking supplies, condiments, vinegars, oils, truffle products, proteins, cheeses, yogurts, and IQF frozen vegetables — supplied to foodservice customers alongside the core produce assortment.
• Grab-N-Go Program Pre-packaged fresh grab-n-go program offering sandwiches, wraps, salads, granola, yogurt, parfaits, nuts, juices, and pre-cut fresh fruit and vegetables for convenience retail and hospitality customers.
• Micro Greens and Edible Flowers Specialty micro greens and edible flowers line — including amaranth, arugula, basil, bulls blood, celery, chervil, chive, cilantro, kale, mint, parsley, and edible flowers — for chef garnishment and premium menu presentations.
• Local Vendor Program Sourced assortment of locally grown produce and specialty products from regional farmers and artisans — including Cahokia Rice, Baetje Cheese, Stuckmeyer Farm, Rendleman Orchards, and Two Men and a Garden — supplied through Ole Tyme's distribution network.
• Hospitality Fresh Program Vertical-specific fresh and grab-n-go supply program for hotels, resorts, and casinos — including the Marriott national account awarded in 1993 — with service standards tailored to hospitality guest expectations.
• Healthcare and Senior Living Distribution Program Vertical-specific produce and grocery distribution program for healthcare facilities and senior living communities, emphasizing SQF Level 2 food safety, HACCP compliance, and precision handling for patient and resident nutrition.
• Schools and Institutions Distribution Program Vertical-specific produce and grocery distribution program for K-12 schools and educational institutions, with customized delivery schedules to fit limited receiving windows and Avendra Produce Alliance approved vendor status.
• Retail Distribution Program Vertical-specific premium and local produce distribution program for retail grocery stores, with custom partnerships emphasizing product quality, appearance, and reliable supply.
• Government Distribution Program Vertical-specific fresh produce supply program for government entities, offering specification-compliant products, proof of delivery, audit-ready documentation, and streamlined processes aligned with public-sector procurement requirements.
• Sam Rose Brand Premium specialty product brand line offered by Ole Tyme Produce through its distribution network.

Quantifiable outcome

• SQF Level 2 certification achieved upon moving into new facility, with consecutive excellent scores on all audits
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• PRO*ACTminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDistribution and marketing cooperative for produce, providing access to national buying power while maintaining local service. Ole Tyme is a member of this produce-focused buying group.
• Frosty AcresminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational produce marketing and distribution cooperative providing competitive pricing and product availability. Ole Tyme maintains membership in this buying group.
• Greener Fields TogetherminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA network of local farmers, distributors, and food operators working together to provide safe, fresh food and implementing sustainability practices to improve environmental impact.
• AvendracoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProduce Alliance approved vendor for Avendra's hospitality procurement network, serving hotels, resorts, and clubs across the country.
• NSF Certification LLCcoreOthersThird-party accredited auditing company that conducts food safety and food defense audits for Ole Tyme's SQF certification.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• KeHE Distributors: Specialty food and beverage distributor serving natural, organic, ethnic, and fresh categories to retailers and foodservice — comparable assortment breadth and independent-restaurant go-to-market.
• US Foods: Major national broadline foodservice distributor with strong produce and fresh categories; competes for the same institutional and restaurant accounts Ole Tyme serves, particularly in healthcare and hospitality.
• Gordon Food Service: Privately held, large North American broadline foodservice distributor offering produce, proteins, dairy, and grocery — wider portfolio than Ole Tyme but comparable restaurant/healthcare/institutional customer base.
• Vistar (Performance Food Group): National foodservice distributor of specialty, vending, and concession products within Performance Food Group — overlaps on specialty products, micro greens, and grab-n-go categories Ole Tyme distributes to hospitality.
• Sysco Corporation: Largest US broadline foodservice distributor serving restaurants, healthcare, education, hospitality, and government. National scale and procurement leverage represent the principal competitive threat Ole Tyme faces from above.

Direct peers

• Shamrock Foods Company: Privately held regional foodservice distributor serving restaurants, hospitality, and institutional customers across the Southwest with fresh, frozen, and grocery lines — comparable regional independent distributor profile to Ole Tyme.
• Ben E. Keith Foods: Privately held regional broadline foodservice distributor serving independent restaurants and operators across the South-Central US — directly comparable as a private, family/regional distributor competing against national broadliners.
• FreshPoint: Specialty fresh produce subsidiary of Sysco focused on restaurant and foodservice distribution of fruits, vegetables, and related specialty items. Direct overlap with Ole Tyme's core produce distribution business, though national in scope.
• Reinhart Foodservice: Regional broadline foodservice distributor serving independent restaurants, healthcare, schools, and hospitality across the Midwest (now part of Performance Food Group) — directly comparable regional footprint and customer-mix overlap with Ole Tyme.

Regional players

• Castellini Group: Regional produce and foodservice distributor serving the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest with fresh produce, fresh-cut, and foodservice categories — directly comparable regional produce distribution business.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/oletymeproduce
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ole-tyme-produce-inc
• Instagraminstagram.com/oletymeproduce

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ole Tyme Produce