Popular local grocery chain Detwiler’s Farm Market has broken ground on a new distribution center for its six stores. The 133,000-square-foot facility in Palmetto is part of the Florida International Tradeport, a 2 million-square-foot industrial park owned by Benderson Development.

The grocery chain, which opened its first store on Palmer Boulevard in 2009, has grown to include several outposts throughout the Sarasota and Manatee area.

Founder Henry Detwiler Sr. opened the original location after his produce stand gained popularity at the Fruitville Grove Market in the early 2000s. Despite Detwiler's rapid growth, it remains a family-owned-and-operated business today.

“This is something we’ve been working on for a long time,” said Sam Detwiler, president of Detwiler’s Farm Market. “Our goal is to be able to bring our prices down lower and continue to stay true to our ‘eat fresh for less’ motto.”

Detwiler’s is known for it spacious but packed store concepts, which carry both local and unusual produce, fresh fish and robust butcher offerings, among many other things.

Details for the project’s timeline completion were not released.