Harvest Meat Co. and Sherwood Food Distributors have been selected by Wild Oats Markets Inc. to manage its nationwide protein distribution needs. Harvest and Sherwood offer multiple weekly deliveries, improved fill rates and a commitment to growth as primary protein suppliers for 110 stores in 24 U.S. States. The companies will provide a full line of products, including beef, pork, poultry, seafood, veal, lamb, processed meats and dairy products.

Advance Food Co. announced that it had entered into a definitive purchase agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of Quik-to-Fix Foods from its parent company, Smithfield Foods Inc., for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition includes facilities in Garland and Harlingen, Texas. Quik-to-Fix product lines include value-added, fully cooked and ready-to-cook beef, pork and poultry products under the Quik-to-Fix®, Chomps™, HealthFULLS, Philly Freedom™ and Gorges® brand names. The company?s products are available to both the retail food and foodservice industries. Its two locations have more than 450 employees.

“This acquisition is another step in our company’s efforts to bring the very best in value-added products to our customers,” said Advance Food Company president Greg Allen. “The Quik-to-Fix product lines are complementary to our existing products, creating a synergy that will help Advance Food Co. reach our goal of becoming the unconditional leader in our product categories.”

The Julian Freirich Co., a privately held meat-processing company, is celebrating its 85th anniversary this year. Best known for the Porkette®, a smoked pork butt created by Julian Freirich, the fourth-generation family-owned company produces more than 100 products for major retail chains, including Food Lion and Publix. It also is a partner with several foodservice distributors. Founded in New York in 1921, the company recently moved its headquarters to Salisbury, N.C., to extend its market share throughout the East Coast.