Our History

For almost two decades, Mid-South Produce has been providing the freshest, quality produce to customers while preserving strong family values of doing business the right way.

A look at Mid-South Produce throughout the years…

1996 - Joseph A. Spears partnered to establish Mid-South Produce Distributors, LLC. Company originally based in Goodlettsville, TN.

1997 - To better serve customers and company growth, Mid-South relocated to a larger warehouse in Nashville.

1999 - Joseph Chad Spears joined his father at the company full time as an employee.

2000 - Brother, Justin R. Spears joined company full time as employee.

2007- Father and son, Chad, bought partners share of Mid-South Produce to make the company 100% family owned.

2012 - Due to a major health issue, Joseph A. Spears assumed an informal retirement with Mid-South Produce and Chad and Justin Spears stepped up to take complete control of the family business. Later in the year, Justin A. Curtis (formally with Ernest Williams Produce, Inc.) joined the Mid-South Produce leadership team to help lead sales efforts and support future company growth.

Today - Brothers, Chad and Justin oversee all aspects of Mid-South Produce on a daily basis. Recently, their father has been able to rejoin the team a few days a week, helping greet and thank customers for their continued support.

Mid-South Produce operates a 13,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution center located on the east side of the Cumberland River. It houses six temperature controlled rooms to keep fruits and vegetables at ideal temperatures in order to maintain optimal freshness. In addition, we own seven temperature-controlled delivery trucks that service customers six days a week, year round.

Customer Promise

The quality of service you receive is just as important as the freshness of the produce you purchase. The Mid-South team promises to provide you the finest produce, most reliable customer service and fair pricing — always.

Our Team

Chad Spears, Owner & President

Chad grew up in the produce business. As a young boy, he worked along side his father and brother on summer breaks at Joseph Formosa & Sons, Inc., a prominent Nashville produce company, where the boys repacked potatoes and onions. This childhood experience made a lasting impression on the brothers, teaching them the value of hard work, commitment and aspiring to do something you truly are passionate about.

In 1996, Chad’s father founded Mid-South Produce and the brothers soon followed, joining as employees in late 1999. In 2007, the brothers bought in as partners making the company 100% family owned.

Today, Chad and the Mid-South team work hard to keep their customers happy and employees happy, always doing business with integrity and truly enjoying each day.

Chad married his former high school sweetheart, Amberly, and they have three children, Ally (13), Joey (10) and Jase (5). The family resides in Goodlettsville and they are active members at Long Hollow Baptist Church. The Spears family enjoys outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, and biking and loves spending summer days boating on Center Hill Lake.

Justin Spears, Co-Owner & Vice President

Like his brother Chad, Justin began working in the produce business as a young boy, working summers in the repacking facility at Joseph Formosa & Sons, Inc. He learned the ins and outs of the business, and most importantly, the value of a dollar.

In 1996, Justin’s father established Mid-South Produce and he and his brother, Chad, were quick to join as part-time employees. In 2000, Justin became a full-time employee. Seven years later Justin and Chad bought in as partners making the company 100% family owned.

Over the years, Justin’s father emphasized the importance of customer service. He taught him that honesty, hard work, and good attitudes were what create loyal customers and, in turn, a great business.

Today, Justin strives to have great customer service within the company and lives by the motto, “treat others the way you would want to be treated.” Justin upholds Mid-South Produce’s best policy—honesty.

Justin enjoys the great outdoors, traveling and spending time with his two sons, Jack (11) and Luke (9).

Justin Curtis, Operations Manager

Just like the Spears’ brothers, Justin Curtis grew up working summers alongside his father at Ernest Williams Produce Company. He learned the produce business well and the importance of taking care of customers.

After earning a B.S. in Sports & Exercise Science and an A.A. in Nutrition from Trevecca University in Nashville, Justin became a full-time employee at Ernest Williams where he worked for seven years before joining the Mid-South team in 2011.

As Operations Manager, Justin oversees quality and logistical workflow of the facility as well as manages employee scheduling and customer services. He loves being a part of such a committed and supportive company that values family and strives to do best by the customer no matter the circumstance.

Justin married his former high school sweetheart, Ashlee, and they have three children, Whitlee Marie (11), Jaci Claire (7) and Lincoln Andrew (4). The family resides in Hendersonville, and they enjoy spending time together, watching baseball and football.

Jonnathan J. Cordón, Business Development Manager

Jonnathan J. Cordón immigrated to the United States from Guatemala in 2001, with his mother and two brothers, when he was nine-years-old.

Following his graduation from high school, Jonnathan started a full-time job at a food service company in Arkansas, learning the ins and outs of the industry.

In 2015, a job offer brought Jonnathan’s talents to Nashville, Tennessee where he focused on the produce distributor market and gained more experience, honed his sales skills and expanded his industry connections, Jonnathan later met brothers, Justin and Chad Spears, owners of Mid-South Produce Distributors.

In 2018, Jonnathan joined the Mid-South Produce team as Business Development Manager, where he is responsible for sales and supporting business growth initiatives.

Jonnathan shares strong family values with fiancé, Genesis, and his daughter Aracely (1). The family lives in La Vergne and enjoys spending time together doing outdoor activities.

AREAS WE SERVE

We are situated in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee, serving numerous communities throughout Middle Tennessee and beyond.

Are you a restaurateur, grocer, seasonal roadside market or independent buyer in our area of service? If so, let us know how we can help you today.