NAPLES, FL (December 9, 2016) – On Monday, December 5, 2016, Oakes Farms Food Service and Distribution was honored with the Vendor of the Year Award by members of the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Naples Chefs chapter at a Holiday and Awards dinner hosted by the ACF and held at Southwest Florida Performing Arts Center in Bonita Springs. Oakes Farms Food Service and Distribution is one of 230 members of the local ACF chapter who support the culinary arts in Southwest Florida. Oakes was among nine recipients honored at the event for their roles in providing continuous chapter support and reflecting exemplary standards in the local culinary arts community.

“We could not be more surprised by and grateful to the ACF for this award,” said Anthony High, President of Oakes Farms Food Service and Distribution. “Membership has given us the opportunity to build strong networks and connections within our industry. We truly value these new relationships and this award confirms our belief that what we are doing, like our employees’ efforts and keeping quality produce delivery a priority, is being recognized and appreciated by ACF members.”

Anthony High & Alfie Oakes accept the ACF’s Vendor of the Year Award, 2016

A division of Oakes Farms and a driving force in its Seed to Table concept, Oakes Farms Food Service and Distribution employs 65 full-time workers, which include several sales staff that are seasoned produce brokers. The growing specialty produce supplier began servicing clients in Collier County, Florida in 2013. In just three short years, the division has expanded operations that extend to clients in XX counties within Florida and X clients in other states. Concurrent with expanding its territorial reach, the “always fresh” produce supplier continues to increase its commodity offerings too. Operating 24/7, Oakes Farms Food Service and Distribution provides its produce partners with access to over XXX standard quality food items with the added convenience of also obtaining specialty or exotic food items.

Accompanying eleven Oakes Farms Food Service and Distribution employees at the Monday night ceremony was Oakes Farms owner Alfie Oakes, who proudly said the ACF award “recognizes the commitment and team work of the entire Food Service team.”

As an ACF Platinum Level sponsor, Oakes Farms Food Service and Distribution is generous in its support of the industry organization through donations of produce at many of the ACF’s monthly meetings and fundraisers. In addition to helping the culinary arts community succeed through ACF chef certification programs, Oakes Farms Food Service and Distribution also contributes to an ACF scholarship fund to benefit local students pursuing careers in the culinary arts.

About Oakes Farms Food Service and Distribution

Oakes Farms Food Service and Distribution is part of Oakes Farms’ Seed to Table agribusiness concept, which includes a diversified portfolio of services that reach a global market and include farming, packing, shipping, retail markets and food service and seafood distribution. In its role within the Seed to Table concept, Oakes Farms Food Service and Distribution is a direct link between the farmer and the chef. The division packages and delivers fresh and tasteful food products to thousands of families through its wholesale partners including schools, hotels, restaurants, specialty grocers, and other distributors, both domestically and internationally. Oakes Farms Food Service and Distribution is located at 4206 Mercantile Avenue in Naples, Florida. Discover more about Oakes Farms Food Service and Distribution at www.oakesfarms.com.