Food distributors combine forces

SARASOTA — Specialty food and candy distributor McClain's Old Florida Gourmet has signed an agreement to combine its business with Nassau Candy South.

Nassau Candy South is a subsidiary of Nassau Candy Distributors Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of specialty confectionery, gourmet and snack food products.

When the agreement closes, McClain's will become a division of Nassau Candy South. McClain's CEO and co-owner Kelly Abercrombie as well as another McClain's owner, Taylor McClain Mock, will continue to grow McClain's business. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Sarasota-based Citra Products of Florida, which is also owned by Abercrombie and Mock, isn't included in the transaction.

“McClain's had grown to the point where we had to make a decision about significantly expanding logistics, technology and geographic penetration, which Nassau Candy already has,” says Abercrombie in a statement. “The transaction also provides our customers with a larger number of products and short-run private label customization, and they still will be able to hand pick their order and buy less than case quantities.”

McClain's distributes shelf-stable gourmet food; bulk and count candy; and Florida specialties and novelties. The company distributes more than 4,200 products from 75 suppliers. Accounts include airport concessions, hotels, independent grocers, drug stores and retailers such as Whole Foods, The Fresh Market and Lucky's Market.

Nassau Candy distributes over 10,000 products to confectionery stores as well as corporate, food service, grocery, souvenir and alternative market customers, according to a press release.