Sysco Corporation, a global food distribution company, has opened a second Sysco To Go store near Houston’s medical center. The retail store sells a diverse range of items to food truck vendors, local restaurants, small businesses and caterers in the area.

In their own words

At the store’s July 23 ribbon-cutting ceremony, Lindsay Hirsch, Sysco’s head of growth strategy, planning and design, talked about the company’s mission.

“Our purpose is simple, yet very powerful–to connect to the world, to share food and to care for one another,” Hirsch said. “And that’s what Sysco To Go is all about, offering quality, convenience and flexibility to those serving food.”

Houston Council member Martha Castex-Tatum also attended the event and said a few words about the grand opening. As the chair of Houston’s economic development committee, Castex-Tatum said the store is an investment in the city’s culinary economy.

She said Sysco To Go provides access to high-quality food service products in large orders, which is a huge benefit to minority businesses in the community.

“Sysco To Go is not just a store, it’s a resource hub for our local restaurants, caterers and food entrepreneurs,” Castex-Tatum said.

What’s special about it?

Houston is home to Sysco’s corporate headquarters and is known for its diverse restaurant community. According to Hirsch, one reason for opening another location was to make sure the company was meeting the needs of all the different restaurant types.

“We really want to make sure that the assortment and the products reflect what our customers need,” Hirsch said.

In the new Sysco To Go store, two aisles are dedicated to Latin cuisine and include a wide selection of spices, as well as a Hispanic cookware section. Hirsch said the store also sells a diverse offering of Halal meat, which is meat that is allowed under Islamic law, as Houston has a high population of people who maintain a Halal diet.

• Opened July 23
• 1212 Old Spanish Trail, Houston
• www.sysco.com/contact/our-locations/houston