In the early 1960's, the economy of North Mississippi and West Tennessee was changing. Gone were the small farms where families had gained their livelihood for generations. In their place came INDUSTRY seeking the work ethic of the "Hill Farmers", as well as a warmer climate.

In preparation for this change in economy, two 60-year-old Coca-Cola Bottling plants, and an enterprising young couple separately planned to meet this change through the formation of food service companies to fill the food and beverage needs of the new industries.

Refreshments, Inc. was born in Corinth on a cold February afternoon in 1964 in the kitchen of one of the owners; it took three generations of owners all day to prepare the first sandwich order of 240 sandwiches for Tishomingo Shoe Company in Iuka.

At exactly the same time, February 1964, 50 miles south in Tupelo, Jane and Herbert Denton were converting their garage into a warehouse to start a vending company called Vend Foods.

Also at that same time 50 miles north in Jackson, Tennessee, the food service arm of Jackson Coke was taking shape. As the Jackson area expanded its industrial base, Coke's vending division expanded to meet this opportunity.

All companies grew and prospered during the ensuing years. State-of-the-art food preparation commissaries, aggressive sales and marketing and excellent personal service resulted in both companies becoming dominate players in the food service and vending arena in a large portion of North Mississippi and West Tennessee.

In 1990 the two companies joined forces after an acquisition of the assets of the Jackson Coca-Cola Vending and Food Service by the shareholders of Refreshments, Inc. Refreshments of Tennessee, Inc. (RTI) was formed in October 1990. Ten years later, in the early spring of 2000, Vend Foods came into the fold.

Today, Refreshments of Corinth, Refreshments of Tennessee and Refreshments of Tupelo provide food service and vending for 450 industrial and institutional accounts spread over 35 counties. This area goes from Camden, Tennessee in the north to Columbus, Mississippi in the south; to Florence, Alabama on the east and Memphis, Tennessee in the west.

The unified ownership of the three companies creates one strong, progressive focus that is very beneficial to all the customers of all three companies.

"Refreshments" means the same in Jackson or Corinth; in Trenton or Ripley; in Holly Springs or Huntingdon. Refreshments and their employees are anxious to serve you for the next 40 years!