Better Life Organics acquired by Charlie’s Produce in West Coast merger

Charlie’s Produce, an employee-owned independent produce company serving the west coast since 1978, has acquired Better Life Organics (BLO), a Los Angeles based distributor of organic produce and food products.

With an 24-year history serving the Los Angeles area, BLO will merge with Charlie’s Produce and as a result, immediately expand its services and product offerings. This acquisition will not only allow Charlie’s Produce to develop deeper roots within the Los Angeles market, but also offer a broader breadth of products, including an extensive selection of premium organic fruits and vegetables from local growers and international market leaders.

“BLO has an excellent reputation in the Los Angeles market for providing high quality products and service to customers,” said Jim McDonald, general manager of Charlie’s Produce Los Angeles. “As a business focused on building fruitful and enduring relationships, we are pleased to have BLO’s talented team and loyal customers join the Charlie’s Produce family.”

Charlie’s Produce will consolidate operations at its state-of-the-art facility in Irwindale, California, and welcome executives Bill McCoy and German Ruiz to its team. McCoy, who founded and led BLO as CEO, will join Charlie’s Produce in a sales development capacity to further strengthen customer programs and provide a smooth transition for customers. Ruiz, who founded and served as president of BLO, will also join Charlie’s Produce team in the Irwindale distribution facility and focus on expanding partnerships within the organic grower community.

Charlie’s expansion

During the last five years, Charlie’s Produce has expanded rapidly through increased services, produce processing, geographic extension and acquisition. The company opened a new distribution center in Los Angeles in 2015, entered the Boise, Idaho market in 2017 through the purchase of Northwest Produce and increased its brokerage division (Charlie’s Produce Trading Company) representing growers throughout the West Coast.

“We are constantly seeking ways to improve our services on behalf of our customers and grower partners. The addition of Better Life Organics brings more innovation, new products and a great team to our Los Angeles division,” said Jeremy Smith, president of Charlie’s Produce.

Charlie’s Produce offers products from Fresh Solutions, Farmbox Greens, Farmer’s Own Healeo.

Charlie’s operates full-stocking distribution centers in Seattle, Anchorage, Boise, Los Angeles, Portland and Spokane.