About True Grade
Building a Legacy of Integrity, Quality, and Sustainability
At True Grade, we’re more than a food distributor. We’re an ally in your sustainable journey. By providing ethically sourced and fully traceable food products, we help you achieve your sustainability goals while ensuring quality and integrity. With a global network that spans multiple continents, we collaborate with farmers, processors, and distributors who share our values. This shared commitment allows us to consistently deliver the best to our customers.
awards & certifications
INC 5000 AWARDED
Our Values
Integrity
Meet Our Dedicated Team
Empowering Success through People and Passion
True Grade’s success is built on the expertise and dedication of our team. Every member plays a critical role in delivering the exceptional service and quality that our clients expect. Our Notable leaders include:
ANTONIO MALAVE
Co-Founder, Partner & CEO:
Antonio Malave is the Co-Founder and CEO of True Grade. With over 17 years of experience across the U.S. and South America and a background in Food Science, Antonio has shaped True Grade’s vision of quality, sustainability, and innovation in food and beverage distribution.Throughout his career, he has built and led high-performing teams committed to responsible practices across the global food supply chain. At True Grade, his leadership has been key to expanding sourcing networks, enhancing traceability systems, and ensuring that logistics meet the evolving standards of the cruise and foodservice industries.Under Antonio’s direction, True Grade has earned recognition on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America and been named one of Inc.’s Best Workplaces. He has also been recognized personally as a Top Minority Business Owner, included in ASI's Top 30 Under 30, and nominated for EY Magazine’s Entrepreneur of the Year. Antonio continues to focus on leading with integrity, driving innovation, and setting new benchmarks for what sustainable food and beverage supply can look like.
GENE KLIGER
President:
Gene Kliger is a U.S. Army veteran and seasoned leader with over four decades of experience in protein procurement, production, and sales. Throughout his career, he has played a pivotal role in bringing hundreds of food and beverage brands aboard cruise lines, earning industry-wide recognition as a trusted expert in cruise food supply.Gene’s career began in 1974 as a butcher at Iowa Beef Processing. From those early days on the production floor, he steadily advanced to become a leading authority in protein sourcing. His expertise in developing cost-effective, high-quality solutions for onboard cruise operations has helped optimize sourcing strategies without compromising on quality or consistency.Since joining True Grade in 2020, Gene has applied his deep industry knowledge and strong supplier relationships to strengthen the company’s capabilities and give it a strategic edge in cruise and foodservice distribution.
Why True Grade
2700k sq. ft
Facilitiy SpaceOur certified Foreign Trade Zone facility spans over 270,000 square feet in Miami, offering room for continued growth and operational flexibility.
2000M lb
Shipped AnnuallyTrue Grade ships over 200 million pounds of food and beverage products every year to cruise lines and foodservice destinations around the world.
10,0000+
Tons of CO2 Emissions ReducedThrough smarter logistics and supply chain optimization, we've significantly cut emissions and supported our clients’ sustainability goals.
970%
On-Time Delivery Rate We maintain a 97% on-time delivery rate, ensuring reliable, efficient service across all ports and distribution points.