Feb 23, 2006 9:47 AM, from staff and wire reports

FreshPoint, the produce unit of Houston TX-based Sysco Corp, has purchased fruit and vegetable distributor City Produce Inc and agreed to acquire Thomas Brothers Produce Inc. Terms of these transactions were not disclosed.

According to Sysco, City Produce ranks as the top independent produce distributor in key Central and South Texas foodservice markets. Thomas Brothers Produce is Oklahoma's leading independent produce distributor, says Sysco.

Based in Austin TX, City Produce has 150 employees. Steven Scruggs will remain president of the firm. Mike Thomas, who founded Thomas Brothers Produce in 1999, will remain president of that Oklahoma City OK-based company, which has 125 employees.