Successful Exit: First Fruits Beverage’s Cup Runneth Over!

NCIF is pleased to announce that First Fruits Beverage Co., a bottling company in Marion, Virginia, successfully exited the NCIF portfolio after only 1 year. In 2009, NCIF helped the company purchase new environmentally friendly technologies, including a Hybrid Heating System that captures 70% of the heat otherwise lost in the hot-fill process, saving energy and money.

First Fruits’ sustainable business practices, focus on the fast-growing functional and organic beverage sector, and highly experienced management team caught the attention of outside investors, a rare feat in this difficult economy. Pilgrim Capital Partners, LLC has invested in First Fruits, helping the business pay off its NCIF loan and position itself for further growth. “Providing a capital bridge for companies like First Fruits is one way we help environmental and social innovators enter the mainstream,” said NCIF President Marten Jenkins. “We look forward to putting the repaid capital to work in other great triple bottom line Virginia companies!”