ACOSTA ACQUIRES FRESH-FOODS AGENCY 2004-08-16 (2)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Acosta Sales and Marketing has announced it will acquire Reliance Food Brokerage, a Cincinnati-based agency specializing in fresh foods. As a result, officials said the deal will strengthen Acosta's presence in the meat, deli/bakery, seafood and produce segments at Kroger in the East, Supervalu in central U.S., Nash Finch Bellefontaine/Cincinnati, and other independent grocers and distributors in the Midwest. Acosta has been working to build its fresh-foods business across the United States, and this acquisition helps to further that strategy, officials said. "Reliance's brand portfolio and relationships with key fresh-foods manufacturers are strategically important to Acosta since they will enhance our fresh-foods business," said Mark Clausen, Acosta's vice president of corporate fresh foods. The deal is scheduled to be finalized by Aug. 31.