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  Published in Business and Finance on Friday, September 19th 2025 at 7:04 GMT by Buffalo News
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Buffalo’s Local Food Distributor Horizon Foods Expands, Seeks to Revitalize the Region’s Supply Chain

Buffalo, NY – In a story that underscores both the challenges and opportunities facing the city’s business community, the Buffalo News ran an in‑depth report on Tuesday detailing Horizon Foods’ (HF) plans to grow its footprint across Western New York. The article, authored by local business journalist Marjorie K. Lee, combines hard data with a human‑interest lens, revealing how a single company’s strategy could reverberate through the region’s economy, supply chain, and labor market.

A Snapshot of Horizon Foods

Horizon Foods is a Buffalo‑based distributor that has, over the past decade, built a reputation for sourcing high‑quality, locally produced food products and delivering them to restaurants, grocery stores, and specialty retailers across the state. The company’s CEO, Ethan G. Carver, first launched HF in 2010 after working for a national distributor. Carver’s vision has always been “to give local producers a fair price and local consumers a fresher product.”

Lee’s article notes that HF’s revenue in the last fiscal year was $35 million, a 12 % increase from the previous year, and the firm employs 75 people—most of whom work in the warehouse and sales teams out of a 20,000‑square‑foot distribution center on West Genesee Avenue.

The Expansion Plan

The centerpiece of the article is Horizon Foods’ plan to open a second distribution hub on 8th Street and North Sullivan, a location that the company claims “provides strategic access to the rapidly growing Rochester‑area market.” The new facility will span 12,000 sq ft, with the capacity to handle an additional 1.5 million pounds of produce and packaged goods per year.

Key to the expansion is a $1.2 million investment that will be financed partly by a Buffalo Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) grant, a portion of which is earmarked for green‑energy upgrades to the facility. Lee reports that the grant application was approved in August after the company submitted a proposal that highlighted the project’s potential to create 15–20 new jobs, both permanent and seasonal, and to bolster the local food ecosystem.

“This is a win‑win for the city, the county, and Horizon Foods,” Carver told the Buffalo News. “We’re not only expanding our business; we’re expanding the capacity for local farmers and producers to bring their products to a broader market.”

The Wider Economic Context

The article places Horizon Foods’ expansion against a backdrop of Buffalo’s broader economic revitalization. According to the city’s 2019–2024 Economic Development Plan, the city has seen a 9 % rise in food‑service revenue, thanks in part to an influx of new restaurants and an increasing emphasis on locally sourced ingredients.

Lee also follows a link to a recent city council meeting minutes, where councilmembers discussed the need to strengthen the region’s food supply chain. One councilmember—Councilwoman Patricia S. Mills—commented that “the city’s strategic focus on the food sector aligns with our goal of diversifying the local economy and reducing dependence on manufacturing.”

Challenges and Concerns

While the expansion is presented as a positive development, Lee doesn’t shy away from potential hurdles. She cites concerns over traffic congestion in the 8th Street corridor, noting that the city’s transportation department has flagged the potential for increased heavy‑vehicle traffic. The article quotes a city transportation analyst, Michael B. O’Connor, who advises that the company work closely with the city to mitigate any adverse effects.

In addition, Carver acknowledges that the new facility will require a skilled labor force. To address this, Horizon Foods is partnering with the Buffalo County Technical Center to launch a training program focused on inventory management, forklift operation, and food‑handling certifications. The program, Lee reports, will aim to recruit 20–30 participants from the local community each year, many of whom would be first‑generation workers.

Looking Ahead

The article concludes by highlighting Horizon Foods’ long‑term vision. Carver says that the expansion is “just the first step.” He reveals plans to explore a partnership with the University at Buffalo’s College of Agriculture to develop a pilot project that would enable local producers to experiment with new product lines, such as organic baby food or artisanal cheeses, using the company’s distribution network as a testing ground.

The Buffalo News piece is thorough in its sourcing. Besides quoting Carver, it incorporates statements from Dr. Angela H. Sullivan, a professor of Agricultural Economics at the university, who emphasizes the importance of local distribution networks for food security. The article also draws on data from the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets and the U.S. Census Bureau to illustrate employment trends in the food‑service sector.

TL;DR

• Horizon Foods, a Buffalo‑based distributor, plans to open a new 12,000‑sq‑ft distribution hub on 8th Street and North Sullivan.
• The expansion is funded partially by a $1.2 million grant from the Buffalo Economic Development Corporation.
• The project will create 15–20 new jobs and support the region’s push to diversify its economy beyond manufacturing.
• The company will partner with the Buffalo County Technical Center to train local workers.
• City council discussions highlight traffic and infrastructure concerns that must be addressed.
• Horizon Foods is already planning future collaborations with the University at Buffalo to foster innovation in local food production.

This detailed coverage offers a clear picture of how a single company's growth can serve as a catalyst for broader regional development—a narrative that resonates across the Buffalo community and beyond.