Louisville-based Creations Gardens, one of the largestĀ supplier of produce and specialty products to Ohio Valley restaurants in four states, has purchased Mattingly Foods of Louisville, a family-owned meat business. Ron Turnier, president and CFO of Creation Gardens, said the addition positions the restaurant food provider for future growth.

All 67 employees at Mattingly Foods will be rolled into Creation Gardens, which has 173 employees, said Turnier. Creation Gardens already offered specialty and cured meats, but the acquisition of Mattingly Foods will allow it to expand its offerings of meat items to steaks roasts, burgers and chops to more than 1,700 restaurants and food service businesses in Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee and Ohio.

Creation Gardens has grown over the years by acquiring a number of food producers, including chef Dean Corbett’s Chef Deano’s Quality Produce and Nashville-based Ernest Williams Produce Inc.

Mattingly Foods, too, had previously grown by acquired local Louisville meat suppliersĀ  A. Thomas Foodservice and Irish Hill Foods.