Sid Wainer & Sons Begins $11 Million Expansion

State and local officials joined businessman Henry Wainer on Thursday, breaking ground for an $11 million expansion at the Purchase Street site in New Bedford, where the family business has existed for 100 years.

Wainer's company, Sid Wainer and Sons delivers specialty foods and produce to more than 30,000 restaurants, hotels and other retailers throughout the world. "The one thing I can tell you, be it a farmer, a producer, a grower or a chef, Its all about the passion we share, It's been an amazing ride," said Wainer.

Wainer says the new, state-of-the-art produce storage and distribution facility will allow for future growth in the company.

Mayor Jon Mitchell says the New Bedford Economic Development Council worked hard on the project.

The Mayor says Henry Wainer and his team could have gone anywhere to build. "They could have decided that it's in their business interest to do it somewhere else, on a green field somewhere next to a highway because those options are there. But fundamentally its all about their committment to the city. So, when Henry says we've been here for 100 years and we want to stay here, he means it," says Mitchell.

Sid Wainer and Sons employs 460 residents and almost half live in the city. The new project will create at least 10 permanent jobs, plus construction jobs. Its scheduled for completion in June of 2016.