SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
(Rule 13d-101)
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT
TO RULE 13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT
TO RULE 13d-2(a)
(Amendment No. )
FRESH AMERICA CORP.
-------------------------------------------------
(Name Of Issuer)
Shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
-------------------------------------------------
(Title Of Class Of Securities)
35803R105
-------------------------------------------------
(CUSIP Number)
Jeffrey B. Rabin
DiMare Homestead, Inc.
258 NW 1st Avenue
Florida City, Florida 33034
Telephone: (305) 245-4211
--------------------------------------------------------
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized
to Receive Notices and Communications)
March 2, 2000
--------------------------------------------------------
(Date of event which requires filing of this statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report
the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this
schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the following box [_].
(Continued On Following Pages)
(Page 1 of 9 Pages)
<PAGE>
CUSIP No. 35803R105 (Page 2 of 9 Pages)
________________________________________________________________________________
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
DiMare Homestead, Inc.
59-1204511
________________________________________________________________________________
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
(a) [_]
(b) [_]
________________________________________________________________________________
3 SEC USE ONLY
________________________________________________________________________________
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
WC
________________________________________________________________________________
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e) [_]
________________________________________________________________________________
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Florida
________________________________________________________________________________
7 SOLE VOTING POWER
NUMBER OF 274,891
SHARES _________________________________________________________________
8 SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY
0
OWNED BY
_________________________________________________________________
EACH 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING 274,891
PERSON _________________________________________________________________
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH
0
________________________________________________________________________________
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
274,891
________________________________________________________________________________
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
[_]
________________________________________________________________________________
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
5.2%(1)
________________________________________________________________________________
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
CO
________________________________________________________________________________
1 Based on 5,241,051 shares of Common Stock of Fresh America, outstanding as of
as of November 15, 1999, as reported by Fresh America in its most recently
available Report on Form 10-Q as filed with the Commission.
<PAGE>
CUSIP No. 35803R105 (Page 3 of 9 Pages)
Item 1. Security and Issuer.
The class of equity securities to which this Statement on
Schedule 13D (this "Statement") relates is the shares of common stock, par value
$0.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), of Fresh America Corp. ("Fresh America"),
a Texas corporation. The principal executive offices of Fresh America are
located at 6600 LBJ Freeway, Suite 180, Dallas, Texas 75240.
Item 2. Identity and Background.
This Statement is being filed by DiMare Homestead, Inc., a
company organized under the laws of the State of Florida ("DiMare"). The
principal business of DiMare is to provide procurement, processing, re-packing,
farming, warehousing and distribution services of fresh produce, consisting
predominantly of tomatoes. DiMare is a subsidiary of DiMare, Inc., a company
organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Parent"). The address of
the principal business and principal offices of DiMare are 258 NW 1st Avenue,
Florida City, Florida 33034. The address of the principal business and principal
offices of the Parent are 84 New England Produce Center, Chelsea, Massachusetts
02150. Certain information regarding the directors and officers of DiMare and
its Parent is set forth on Annex A, attached hereto and incorporated by
reference herein.
During the last five years, neither DiMare nor, to the best of
DiMare's knowledge, any of the persons named on Annex A have been (i) convicted
in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors)
or (ii) a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of
competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding were or are subject to
a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting
or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding
any violation with respect to such laws.
Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.
The source of funds used to purchase the shares of Common
Stock (the "Shares") of Fresh America was derived from the working capital of
DiMare. The aggregate amount of such funds, including commissions, was
$1,272,112.25.
Item 4. Purpose of Transaction.
DiMare acquired the Shares for the purpose of making an
investment in Fresh America. DiMare from time to time intends to review its
investment in Fresh America on the basis of various factors, including Fresh
America's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects,
general economic and industry conditions, the securities markets in general and
those for Fresh America's securities in particular, as well as other
developments and other investment opportunities. Based upon such review, DiMare
will take such actions in the future as it may deem appropriate in light of the
circumstances existing from time to time. If DiMare believes that further
investment in Fresh America is attractive, whether because of the market price
of Fresh America's securities or otherwise, DiMare may acquire Fresh America
securities either in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.
Similarly, depending on market and other factors, DiMare may determine to
dispose of some or all of the Fresh America securities
<PAGE>
CUSIP No. 35803R105 (Page 4 of 9 Pages)
currently owned by it or otherwise acquired by it either in the open market or
in privately negotiated transactions.
Except as set forth in this Statement on Schedule 13D, DiMare
has not formulated any plans or proposals which relate to or would result in:
(i) the acquisition by any person of additional securities of Fresh America or
the disposition of securities of Fresh America; (ii) an extraordinary corporate
transaction involving Fresh America or any of its subsidiaries; (iii) a sale or
transfer of a material amount of the assets of Fresh America or any of its
subsidiaries; (iv) any change in the present board of directors or management of
Fresh America; (v) any material change in Fresh America's capitalization or
dividend policy; (vi) any other material change in Fresh America's business or
corporate structure; (vii) any change in Fresh America's charter or bylaws or
other instruments corresponding thereto or other action which may impede the
acquisition of control of Fresh America by any person; (viii) causing a class of
Fresh America's securities becoming deregistered or delisted; (ix) a class of
equity securities of Fresh America becoming eligible for termination of
registration or (x) any action similar to any of those enumerated above.
Item 5. Interest in Securities of Issuer.
(a) DiMare purchased 274,891 Shares pursuant to open market
transactions. Based upon 5,241,051 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of
November 15, 1999 (as reported by Fresh America in its most recently available
Report on Form 10-Q as filed with the Commission), such Shares represent
approximately 5.2% of the outstanding Common Stock.
Except for DiMare, none of the other persons referred to in
Item 2 above own any interests in Common Stock.
(b) The number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which
DiMare (i) has sole voting power, (ii) shares voting power, (iii) has sole
dispositive power and (iv) shares dispositive power, are listed in the responses
to Items 7, 8, 9 and 10, respectively, on the cover page filed herewith, and
such responses are incorporated by reference herein.
(c) Except as described in this Statement on Schedule 13D,
neither DiMare nor, to the best of DiMare's knowledge, any party referred to in
Item 2 above, has acquired or disposed of, or entered into any other transaction
with respect to, any shares of Common Stock during the past 60 days prior to the
date of this Statement, except with respect to the Shares acquired in open
market purchase transactions accomplished through the Nasdaq National Market as
set forth in Annex B, attached hereto and incorporated by reference herein, all
of which were effected by DiMare.
(d) No other person is known to have the right to receive or
the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or proceeds from the sale of,
the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by DiMare.
<PAGE>
CUSIP No. 35803R105 (Page 5 of 9 Pages)
(e) Not applicable.
Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with
Respect to Securities of Issuer.
Not applicable.
Item 7. Material to Be Filed as Exhibits.
Not applicable.
<PAGE>
CUSIP No. 35803R105 (Page 6 of 9 Pages)
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and
belief, I certify that the information set forth in this Statement is true,
complete and correct.
March 13, 2000 DIMARE HOMESTEAD, INC.
By: /s/ Jeffrey B. Rabin
-------------------------
Name: Jeffrey B. Rabin
Title: Chief Financial Officer
<PAGE>
CUSIP No. 35803R105 (Page 7 of 9 Pages)
ANNEX A
The following table sets forth the names, addresses and
principal occupations of the members of the Board of Directors and of the
executive officers of DiMare and its Parent. The business address of each such
person is c/o DiMare Homestead, Inc., 258 NW 1st Avenue, Florida City, Florida
33034. Each such person is a citizen of the United States.
Name Position with DiMare Principal Occupation
---- -------------------- --------------------
Paul J. DiMare Director and President Director and President
Thomas F. DiMare Director and Treasurer Director and Treasurer
John E. Fedele Secretary and General Secretary and General
Counsel Counsel
Jeffrey B. Rabin Chief Financial Officer Chief Financial Officer
Name Position with Parent Principal Occupation
---- -------------------- --------------------
Thomas F. DiMare Director and President Director and President
Paul J. DiMare Director and Treasurer Director and Treasurer
John E. Fedele Secretary and General Secretary and General
Counsel Counsel
Jeffrey B. Rabin Chief Financial Officer Chief Financial Officer
<PAGE>
CUSIP No. 35803R105 (Page 8 of 9 Pages)
ANNEX B
The following table sets forth the open market purchase
transactions with respect to the Shares accomplished through the Nasdaq National
Market during the past 60 days prior to the date of this Statement, all of which
were effected by DiMare.
Purchase Number of Price Per Share
Date Shares in Dollars
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
13-Jan-00 4,000 $4.7813
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
18-Jan-00 2,000 4.7672
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
19-Jan-00 1,000 4.8750
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
19-Jan-00 3,000 4.8125
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
19-Jan-00 6,800 4.7895
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
20-Jan-00 5,900 4.9375
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
21-Jan-00 200 4.8750
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
21-Jan-00 27,500 5.0000
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
24-Jan-00 10,800 5.0000
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
25-Jan-00 1,000 5.0000
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
25-Jan-00 5,000 5.0000
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
26-Jan-00 16,300 4.9670
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
27-Jan-00 10,000 4.7850
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
28-Jan-00 3,000 4.7500
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
31-Jan-00 5,900 4.6854
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
1-Feb-00 3,500 4.5000
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
2-Feb-00 7,500 4.4900
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
3-Feb-00 2,000 4.4688
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
7-Feb-00 3,500 4.1607
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
7-Feb-00 2,000 4.2500
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
8-Feb-00 3,000 4.2500
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
8-Feb-00 1,700 4.0000
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
8-Feb-00 2,000 4.0000
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
8-Feb-00 500 4.2500
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
8-Feb-00 300 4.2500
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
8-Feb-00 1,000 4.2500
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
9-Feb-00 9,880 4.2234
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
10-Feb-00 200 4.1250
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
11-Feb-00 1,000 4.2500
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
11-Feb-00 200 4.1250
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
11-Feb-00 500 4.1250
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
11-Feb-00 2,000 4.2500
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
11-Feb-00 500 4.1250
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
<PAGE>
CUSIP No. 35803R105 (Page 9 of 9 Pages)
Purchase Number of Price Per Share
Date Shares in Dollars
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
14-Feb-00 6,350 4.2490
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
16-Feb-00 146 4.1250
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
17-Feb-00 3,495 4.0643
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
18-Feb-00 2,412 4.0784
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
22-Feb-00 1,145 4.1250
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
22-Feb-00 10,000 4.1200
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
22-Feb-00 1,855 4.1250
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
23-Feb-00 10,000 4,0940
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
23-Feb-00 3,100 4.1250
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
24-Feb-00 900 4.1250
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
25-Feb-00 4,000 4.0630
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
28-Feb-00 10,917 4.1020
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
2-Mar-00 6,091 3.8821
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
3-Mar-00 1,000 3.8750
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
7-Mar-00 1,300 3.7500
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
7-Mar-00 1,000 3.9380
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
7-Mar-00 800 3.9690
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
7-Mar-00 600 4.0000
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
7-Mar-00 100 4.0000
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
7-Mar-00 1,000 4.0000
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
8-Mar-00 1,000 3.6880
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
8-Mar-00 2,000 3.7500
- ------------------- ------------------- --------------------
