Our Story

Bigger than Business

Faithfulness in the small things, that's our business.

Making big things out of small things, that's God's business.

In God's economy, we aren't promised that our efforts will lead to success, though sometimes success, and even great success, is in God's plan. We are promised, however, that small acts done in faith are not overlooked by God. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths".  Our story is of God's faithfulness to each one of us every day. It has been his plan to see Purple Crow grow and he has used us and many others to do it.

Whether you find yourself working at a restaurant, running a grocery store, managing a warehouse, serving as a missionary or even one day working here at Purple Crow, know that

God sees you. He knows you. He has plans for you.

  • Misson Life

    Write about day to day mission life.

  • Grassbusters

    Write about the landscaping company and coming home for college at Piedmont.

  • Tortilla Factory

    Write about making the tortillas and blah blah blah.

  • Distribution

    Write about lowery street and 5 star.

  • Expansion

    Write about Reynolds and new building…

Dan, Nat, and Phil Calhoun grew up in Poza Rica, Mexico where their parents served as missionaries. There in Mexico, the three brothers learned to speak Spanish fluently and developed an appreciation for the people and culture.

1962-1977

An elderly couple standing together in a living room, smiling at the camera. The woman is wearing a pink dress and glasses, and the man is in a light blue shirt with a patterned tie and glasses.
A family standing in front of a church with a banner that reads 'Welcome Baptism Mid-Mission ... of MEXICO', outdoors in sunlight.

1995-2000

By the early 1980s, all three brothers had returned to the United States to further their education. During their time in college, they teamed up and started a landscaping business called Grass Busters.

A man holding a young boy in front of a red tractor outside a building with a patio and garden hose on the ground.
Group of construction workers posing with a New Holland mini excavator at a building site, some wearing helmets, working on a stone wall and dirt area.

1995-2000

While working in the landscaping business alongside many workers from Mexico and other Latin American countries, the brothers recognized a need for authentic products. After researching the tortilla-making process in Guadalajara, Mexico, and importing the necessary equipment to Winston Salem, the idea to manufacture and distribute tortillas came to life.

Two men wearing matching white t-shirts with colorful airplane prints and red and green baseball caps prepare food at a food stall. The stall has bottles of soda, ingredients, and a stovetop, with a woman partially visible in front.
Outdoor food stall with a sign reading 'La Tortillería La Del Cuervito Morado' serving fresh, chemical-free tortillas, surrounded by people and balloons at a festival or fair.

In 2000, the company met the needs of its customers by supplying additional grocery items. Today, with a broad portfolio of products and a footprint of ten States throughout the East Coast, Purple Crow has become one of the country’s largest suppliers of Hispanic products.

1995-2000

Man standing inside a grocery store near shelves stocked with soda bottles, with boxes and pallets of canned goods and snacks around him.
Two men are in a grocery store or supermarket, smiling and holding papers or folders. There are boxes and supplies on a table behind them, and a third person with their back turned, wearing a patterned shirt. In the foreground, there is a refrigerated display case with various types of cheese.

With a broad portfolio of products and a footprint of ten States throughout the East Coast, Purple Crow has become one of the country’s largest suppliers of Hispanic products.

2010 - 2023

Group of eight men posing in front of a row of colorful trucks with a brick building and a clear sky in the background.
Group of people dressed in formal attire gathered for a photo in front of decorated Christmas trees with lights, inside a well-lit room.
Group of diverse people gathered indoors for a photo, smiling and showing peace signs.

In 2023, Purple Crow Food Distribution acquired the historic Reynolds Tobacco Plant, marking a new chapter in the landmark’s legacy. This iconic space will now serve as a vibrant hub for Purple Crow’s expanding operations and commitment to community-driven initiatives.

2023

Three men standing outside in front of an old building with a partially collapsed metal awning and four empty flagpoles, trees in the background, and a bright blue sky.
Group of eight people standing in front of a church building with a sign that reads 'Welcome to Baptism of Mid-Mexico'.
A man carrying a young child in front of an orange tractor outside a building during sunset.
Two men in white T-shirts and red caps cooking at a food stand, with bottles of soda, lime, and various ingredients on the table, and a person in a light blue shirt facing away.
Man standing behind grocery store checkout counter, shelves stocked with bottled beverages, and carts filled with snacks and drinks.
Aerial view of a large industrial building with the words 'Reynolds Tobacco Co., Come Down and Visit Us' painted on the roof, surrounded by parking lots, roads, and open fields.