Plant City is growing, and business owners in neighboring cities have caught on, including David Osterweil, the founder and CEO of Fitlife Foods, a Florida-based company that focuses on healthy eating without the hassle.
The company was created in 2011, after Osterweil noticed the difficulties of trying to follow weight-loss recommendations and eat flavorful food at the same time.
“We wanted to do something that really served a purpose and solved a problem,” Osterweil said.
Now, Fitlife Foods will be opening a culinary distribution center in Plant City. The company creates prepared meals for those who are trying to lose weight. It puts emphasis on healthy food that is also savory. Fitlife Foods creates these meals and distributes them across Florida, in addition to labeling the food so customers know exactly what they’re eating.
The Plant City location on County Line Road, will serve as what Osterweil calls a “big, fresh, made-from-scratch kitchen.” It will be the headquarters where many of Fitlife Food’s prepared meals are made before being sent out to the company’s kiosks and restaurants.
For Osterweil, Plant City was the perfect thriving community for such a center.
“Plant City is just a great community,” Osterweil said. “It’s important for us to find the right area that has the blend of transportation and talent for this business. It was time for us to move to a first-class facility that we can really grow into.”
Plant City’s agricultural community is also a benefit to Fitlife. Osterweil plans to use farmers within the city to use local ingredients whenever possible.
City Manager Mike Herr believes that this new center could also create the possibility for further expansion in Plant City.
“Considering the impact that agricultural businesses have on our economy, a culinary center can lead to an agricultural culinary operation in our city,” Herr said.
Although there are no current plans for a Fitlife restaurant or kiosk in Plant City, Osterweil hasn’t ruled out the idea of having a location near his distribution center.
For now, Osterweil is focused on creating meals that are both creative and healthy.
“We’re trying to create stories with our food,” Osterweil said.
It is expected that the distribution center will create 100 new jobs in Plant City over two years.
More information about Fitlife Foods can be found on the company’s website, at EatFitLifeFoods.com.
Although there are no immediate plans for Fitlife Foods to have a storefront in Plant City, there are six storefronts in the Tampa Bay area and two pop shops.
Stores
Brandon: 2946 Providence Lakes Blvd., Brandon
Carrollwood: 14407 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa
Countryside: 2454 N. McMullen Booth Road, #305, Clearwater
South Tampa: 1902-B S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa; 504 S. Howard Ave., Tampa
St. Petersburg: 3047 4th St. N., St. Petersburg
Pop shop/kiosks
Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel; Tampa General Hospital
What’s on the menu?
Fitlife has prepared meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Here are some of the foods the company will be making in Plant City:
Fit Chicken Pad Thai
Feeling Good Chicken Tenders
Sicilian Chicken Meatballs
Mama’s Turkey Meatloaf
Tampa Bay BBQ Beef with Mac N’ Cheese (top seller)
Chicken Tacos
Mexican Veggie Melt
Chicken Pesto Tortellini
Chicken Enchilada Bake
Jamaican Pork Tenderloin
Asada Steak
Almond Apple Flat Wrap
Tuna Power Pack
Red Pepper Hummus Bowl
Chili Lime
Peanut Butter Oat Crunch
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com
