US Foods celebrated the opening of its newest distribution center in Flowood MS with a grand opening event for employees, customers, and stakeholders recently. The new 272,000-square-foot facility will service more than 4,000 chefs, restaurant owners, and foodservice operators throughout Mississippi and Louisiana. It is also the company’s sixth LEED-certified facility, featuring an environmentally conscious design maximized for energy efficiency.
“This is an exciting day for US Foods and for our customers throughout Mississippi as this new facility allows us to more efficiently service our customers and provides our employees with an exceptional working environment,” said Gil Smith, division president, US Foods.
A highlight of the new building is its state-of-the-art kitchen. Across the nation, US Foods Kitchens welcome more than 10,000 restaurateurs each year who visit to collaborate on developing new menu items so they can ensure profitability and popularity for their own diners. This facility, known as the Jackson Division, features a demonstration kitchen stocked with culinary tools, the latest A/V equipment, and menu development software, allowing for training and product testing. Other facility features include temperature-controlled zones for optimal food safety, an increased selection of fresh produce and products, and two produce ripening rooms.
The new distribution center was built after the original location was destroyed by a tornado in April 2014. Now, more than a year later, US Foods has reconstructed a bigger and better facility that allows them to continue to support and service its Jackson MS and New Orleans LA area customers.
US Foods employs approximately 25,000 people in more than 60 locations nationwide. It is headquartered in Rosemont IL and jointly owned by affiliates of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice LLC and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co LP. Discover more at www.usfoods.com.
