Our Story

From our neighborhood to yours, since 1923

Our Purpose

Fortifying Community.

At Harbor Foods, we believe in more than just business success; we believe in Fortifying Community. By empowering entrepreneurial small business owners, we help create jobs, strengthen neighborhoods, and foster connections around the table. Harbor is proud to partner with purpose-driven customers, vendors, and teammates to create thriving communities — let’s Fortify Community together.

Our Mission

Harbor is dedicated to supporting the success of the local entrepreneurs that provide jobs in their communities, bring convenience to busy lives, and invite us all to experience life around the table. Every day.

Core Values

Being genuine is speaking the truth even when it’s not what others want to hear, and being your true authentic self, not who other people think you should be.
— Jennifer M.

Searching for positive outcomes in everything that we do and using those positive outcomes to take action.
— Brandon W.

Going above and beyond to find creative, clever, and innovative ways to solve any situation big or small. The ability to take a problem in stride and come out on the other side more knowledgeable.
— Ashley K.

This to me is the key to our culture, we treat others like friends. We care for them, we are kind to them and are sympathetic for what they are going through.
— Preston P.

Who we are

At Harbor Foods culture comes first because we are a 4th generation, local, family-owned and operated independent distributor with 100+ years of history serving customers. We are transparent, open, committed and we treat our team, customers and suppliers as family because we are obsessed with their success.

Harbor Wholesale

• Largest independent distributor in the West.

• Serving over 6,000+ convenience stores, independent grocers, and quick-serve restaurants.

• Wide selection of local and national products.

• Harbor owned Real Fresh Brands™.

• Unmatched personalized service.

• Business solutions team and consultant support.

visit harbor wholesale

Harbor Foodservice

• Specializing in the local and regional restaurant segments.

• Focused on driving strong customer relationships.

• 100+ local vendors.

• 3,000+ local items stocked and ready.

• 10,000+ local items available to order.

• Solutions team and restaurant consultant support.

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Growing your way

Harbor has been recognized by the Puget Sound Business Journal as one of Washington’s fastest growing private companies, as well as the 3rd largest family owned business.

And we’re just getting started.

• With 3 Wholesale + 1 Foodservice Distribution Centers Across the West Coast

• 1,100+ Team Members

• 7,500+ Customers

• 170+ Fleet of Trucks & Drivers

• 750,000+ sq/ft of Warehouse

• Puget Sound Business Journal Best Workplaces

• Top 10 Privately Owned Company

• 3rd Largest Family Owned Business

• One of Washington’s Fastest Growing Private Companies

• Family Business of the Year

Harbor History

1923

West Coast Produce Co Inc. (later to become Harbor Wholesale Foods) is founded by Carl V. Erickson in Aberdeen, WA.

1930

West Coat Produce Co Inc. moves to a 5,000 sq. ft. building in Aberdeen, WA.

1960s

The third generation, Steve and Mike Erickson, join the family business.

1990s

The fourth generation, Justin and Scott Erickson join the family business.

2011

By 2010, Harbor is also serving communities in Eastern WA, Southern OR, and Northern CA through a distribution center in Roseburg, OR. In 2011, the company moves into a state-of-the-art facility, its new HQ in Lacey, WA.

2019

Harbor Foods acquires the home base of FSA Seattle and establishes Harbor Foodservice. The combined company now serves 5,000 customers in communities throughout the NW.

2020

Harbor Foodservice launches its #HarborCares initiative during the pandemic lock down and introduces the Local Leaders program to showcase operators around the Puget Sound.

2021

Harbor Wholesale acquires Rich & Rhine Wholesale in Portland, Oregon, and Harbor Foods forms Northlink Logistics®, an end-to-end third-party logistics company.

2022 Spring

Harbor Foodservice acquires Northwest Foodservice out of Longview, WA, expanding the foodservice presence.

2022 Fall

Harbor Wholesale acquires MTC Distributing out of Modesto, CA, expanding the Harbor footprint into California.

2023

Harbor celebrates its 100 year milestone of delivering goodness throughout the west coast.

Today

Today Harbor has 1,100+ team members. Every decision we make reflects our mission of Fortifying Community - by supporting entrepreneurs, and enriching lives around the table.