G&C Food Distributors completes first phase of $18 million expansion project

VAN BUREN, N.Y. — G&C Food Distributors and Brokers Inc. has completed the first phase of an expansion project and created more than 50 new full-time jobs at its headquarters in Van Buren.

The frozen-food distributor expects to complete the second phase of the $18 million expansion by the summer of 2020, bringing the total number of new, full-time jobs created to 85, the office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a news release issued Thursday.

The firm will also retain more than 230 positions with support from the state, Cuomo’s office added. Many of the positions were “at-risk.”

Empire State Development has offered up to $1 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits, which are tied to job-creation commitments, to encourage G&C Food Distributors to move forward with its $18 million expansion.

G&C Food Distributors operates in the former P&C Foods distribution center at 3407 Walters Road in the town of Van Buren.

As part of the first phase of its expansion plan, G&C purchased the 276,000 square-foot facility, which it had been leasing.

The first phase also included the purchase and installation of bulk-packaging equipment that can convert bulk produce into product for commercial sale.

The new line resulted in the hiring of 52 new employees who are working in manufacturing, safety compliance, and administrative positions.

Second phase

The firm’s work on the second phase of its expansion will begin in August when G&C Foods plans to break ground on a 75,000-square-foot addition to the plant, Cuomo’s office said.

The company is projecting a completion date of March of 2018 of the expansion’s second phase.

The addition will facilitate the installation of refrigerated dock and dry space.

G&C Foods is “excited” about what its expansion can bring to the region, Rich Chapman, president of G&C Food Distributors and Brokers Inc., said in Cuomo’s news release.

“Not only will it provide continued success and stability for our current employees, but the creation of jobs will only reinforce our presence to this community and attract talent to the area. G&C takes considerable pride in our Syracuse-based roots,” said Chapman.

Founded in 1976, G&C Food Distributors and Brokers is a food service re-distributor of refrigerated, frozen and dry food headquartered in Van Buren.

It stores and delivers more than 4,000 food items to meet the needs of customers from Maine to Florida.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com