Ginsberg’s Foods Sale to Sysco Revealed at Company Holiday Party.

Ginsberg’s Foods, the Claverack-based, family-owned regional foodservice distributor, announced late last week that it has sold the company, founded in 1909, to Sysco Corporation. According to accounts, employees were surprised by the news, during their annual company holiday party.

Ginsberg’s began as a small grocery and butcher shop in Hudson in 1909 and gradually evolved into one of the region’s largest independent foodservice distributors, operating a warehouse in Claverack and serving restaurants, institutions, and other food-service clients throughout the Northeast. 

Over the decades, the business expanded beyond its original retail roots, transitioning into wholesale distribution and growing its territory. Its leadership remained in the family through the years, with John Brusie serving as owner and president at the time of the sale. His parents, David Ginsberg and Nancy Fuller previously ran the company. Fuller is also known nationally as a chef and television personality with appearances on Food Network programs. The sale announcement emphasized that Brusie will be staying on and there is an emphasis on business continuity. 

“Nancy and David will be looking forward to the next chapter in their life. John Brusie and the leadership team, as well as the friendly faces of our employees, will continue to be of service to you,” Ginsberg’s leadership writes in a letter to customers. “Sysco is committed to nourishing our long-standing partnerships with the same exceptional service and dedication that has defined us for over 116 years.”

What the Acquisition Means

Sysco, based in Houston, is one of the world’s largest food-service distributors, operating hundreds of distribution centers and serving hundreds of thousands of customer locations globally. Absorbing Ginsberg’s bolsters Sysco’s Northeast presence and customer base significantly

Local economic development figures noted the company’s historical role in the regional economy. F. Michael Tucker, CEO of the Columbia Economic Development Corporation, said Ginsberg’s “commitment to quality, community, and entrepreneurship has helped shape the economic and cultural fabric of Columbia County and the surrounding region.”

Community Reaction: Pride and Uncertainty

While the announcement was framed as a forward-looking transition, the way it was delivered at the holiday party has stirred mixed reactions among employees and local residents. A post on an active Facebook community board noted that the sale disclosure “has triggered concern amongst employees” at what many expected to be a celebratory gathering rather than a business announcement. 

Commenters, identifying themselves as current and former employees, reflected a range of sentiments, from pride in Ginsberg’s long local heritage to unease about potential changes under new ownership. Some expressed worry about job stability and shifts in workplace culture, emphasizing how deeply the company’s history and operations are tied to the Hudson Valley community.

As the company transitions into Sysco’s broader network, questions remain about how the change will affect operations in the region, employment, and the legacy of a business that has served the region for more than a century.