Charlie’s Produce will supply all of Haggen’s new stores

01/05/2015 04:29:00 PM
Greg Johnson

Pacific Northwest retailer Haggen is about to grow, and Charlie’s Produce plans to grow along with them.

Haggen, which owns 18 grocery stores in Washington and Oregon, recently entered an agreement to acquire 

146 stores in California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada and Arizona, after the Federal Trade 

Commission-recommended divestiture during the Safeway-Albertson’s merger.

On Jan. 5, Haggen said Seattle-based Charlie’s Produce, which supplies Haggen’s stores now, will be the 

primary supplier to the new stores.

According to a company news release, if the Haggen deal 

finishes by the end of January, as expected, Charlie’s Produce 

will open a division in Southern California to supply the new 

southwest stores. It already has distribution centers in Seattle 

and Spokane, Wash.; Portland, Ore.; and Anchorage and Dutch 

Harbor, Alaska.

After the acquisition, Bellingham, Wash.-based Haggen expects 

to have 42 stores in Washington, 22 in Oregon, 83 in California, 

7 in Nevada and 10 in Arizona.

“This is a very exciting time for Charlie’s as we expand
our geographic footprint beyond the Pacific Northwest and into the Southwest,” said Charlie’s
Produce co-founders Charlie Billow and Ray Bowen, in the release. 

Also in the release, Bill Shaner, Haggen CEO, Pacific Southwest, said, “This acquisition is an incredible 

opportunity to introduce Haggen to customers throughout the West Coast. We are a brand that strives to
offer guests the best of the region, each season and every day, and Charlie’s Produce shares that commitment."

“This partnership is a win for Haggen, a win for Charlie’s Produce, and a win for regional farmers,” said 

John Clougher, Haggen CEO, Pacific Northwest.