GOODLETTSVILLE, TN - Dollar General has seen some ups and downs recently, because while its 2019 profit forecast fell below expectations, the retailer did report a 3.8 percent bump in sales in Q1 and has plans to open 975 new stores this year. However, the company sees further hope in the future in the form of fresh produce.

The retailer is reportedly pushing back against claims that its stores lack healthy options for consumers, according to abc57, with a new fresh-forward initiative. According to the news source, Dollar General has already expanded fresh produce into 450 stores, with plans to expand to 650 stores by the end of the year.

This is one component of the company’s growth plan, as it has announced its intention to remodel 1,000 of its stores and relocate 100 more. Dollar General has also taken steps to expand its distribution footprint, recently announcing a new facility in Longview, Texas.

“Today marks another growth milestone for Dollar General in the great state of Texas as we celebrate the grand opening of our Longview distribution center alongside employees, their families, and local and state officials,” said Todd Vasos, CEO. “We are proud to have a partnership with the state of Texas spanning more than four decades after opening our first store in the state in 1977. We are tremendously thankful for the support from Governor Greg Abbott, Longview Mayor Andy Mack, Judge Bill Stoudt, and the Longview Economic and Community Development throughout the progression of this project. We look forward to being a longstanding business partner in the Longview community.”

The new state-of-the-art distribution center—the company’s 16th—will support approximately 1,000 Dollar General stores across the country, according to a press release. This is the company’s second distribution center in Texas, with its other 14 facilities scattered throughout the country, as well as a planned 17th distribution center in Amsterdam, New York.

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