EXPLANATORY NOTEFORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

MAY PROVE INACCURATE

AsThis Annual Report on Form 10-K contains, or may contain, certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties. Such statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company’s plans, objectives, projections, expectations and intentions and other statements identified by words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “potential” or similar expressions. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the Company’s management and do not constitute guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including those discussed under “Risk Factors,” as well as those discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Actual results may differ significantly from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various factors (many of which are beyond the Company’s control).

You are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of filingthis Form 10-K or, in the case of documents referred to or incorporated by reference, the date of those documents.

All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Form 10-K or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable U.S. securities law. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (this “Report”)to “we,” “us,” “our,” “our company,” “IVFH”, there are many uncertainties regarding the current Novel Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic, including the scope of scientific and health issues, the anticipated duration of the pandemic, and the extent of local and worldwide social, political, and economic disruption it may cause. To date, the COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching impacts on many aspects of the operations ofor similar terminology refer to Innovative Food Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”, “we,” “our” or “us”), directly and indirectly, including on consumer behavior, customer store traffic, production capabilities, timing of product availability, our people, and the market generally. The scope and nature of these impacts continue to evolve each day. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in, and may continue to result in, regional quarantines, labor stoppages and shortages, changes in consumer purchasing patterns, mandatory or elective shut-downs of restaurants, retail locations and other public gatherings, disruptions to supply chains, including the inability of our suppliers and service providers to deliver materials and services on a timely basis, or at all, severe market volatility, liquidity disruptions, and overall economic instability, which, in many cases, have had, and we expect will continue to have, adverse impacts on our business, financial condition and results of operations. This situation is changing rapidly, and additional impacts may arise that we are not aware of currently.

In light of the uncertain and rapidly evolving situation relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have taken certain precautionary measures intended to help minimize the risk to our Company, employees, and customers, including the following:

Each of the remedial measures taken by the Company has had, and we expect will continue to have, adverse impacts on our current business, financial condition and results of operations, and may create additional risks for our Company. While we anticipate that the foregoing measures are temporary, we cannot predict the specific duration for which these precautionary measures will stay in effect, and we may elect or need to take additional measures as the information available to us continues to develop, including with respect to our employees, inventory receipts, and relationships with our licensors. We expect to continue to assess the evolving impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our customers, consumers, employees, supply chain, and operations, and intend to make adjustments to our responses accordingly. However, the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic and our precautionary measures in response thereto may impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations will depend on how the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts to continue to develop, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted at this time.

In light of these uncertainties, for purposes of this report, except where otherwise indicated, the descriptions of our business, our strategies, our risk factors, and any other forward-looking statements, including regarding us, our business and the market generally, do not reflect the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or our responses thereto. In addition, the disclosures contained in this report are made only as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law. For further information, see “Forward Looking Information.” and “Risk Factors.”

FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

MAY PROVE INACCURATE

THIS ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K CONTAINS CERTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION RELATING TO US THAT ARE BASED ON THE BELIEFS OF MANAGEMENT, AS WELL AS ASSUMPTIONS MADE BY AND INFORMATION CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO US. WHEN USED IN THIS DOCUMENT, THE WORDS “ANTICIPATE,” “BELIEVE,” “ESTIMATE,” “SHOULD,” “PLAN,” AND “EXPECT” AND SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS, AS THEY RELATE TO US, ARE INTENDED TO IDENTIFY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. SUCH STATEMENTS REFLECT OUR CURRENT VIEWS WITH RESPECT TO FUTURE EVENTS AND ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RISKS, UNCERTAINTIES AND ASSUMPTIONS, INCLUDING THOSE DESCRIBED IN THIS ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K. SHOULD ONE OR MORE OF THESE RISKS OR UNCERTAINTIES MATERIALIZE, OR SHOULD UNDERLYING ASSUMPTIONS PROVE INCORRECT, ACTUAL RESULTS MAY VARY MATERIALLY FROM THOSE DESCRIBED HEREIN AS ANTICIPATED, BELIEVED, ESTIMATED, PLANNED OR EXPECTED. WE DO NOT INTEND TO UPDATE THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS.

PART I

ITEM 1. Business

ITEM 1.Business

Our History

We (or “IVFH”) (or the “Company”) were initially formed in June 1979 as Alpha Solarco Inc., a Colorado corporation. From June 1979 through February 2003, we were either inactive or involved in discontinued business ventures. We changed our name to Fiber Application Systems Technology, Ltd in February 2003. In January 2004, we changed our state of incorporation by merging into Innovative Food Holdings, Inc. (IVFH)(“IVFH”), a Florida corporation formed for that purpose. As a result of the merger, we changed our name to that of

Our Operations

Innovative Food Holdings Inc. In January 2004, we also acquired Food Innovations, Inc. (“FII” or “Food Innovations”), a Florida corporation, for 500,000 shares of our common stock.

On May 18, 2012, the Company executed a Stock Purchase Agreement to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Artisan Specialty Foods, Inc., an Illinois corporation (“Artisan”), from its owner, Mr. David Vohaska.  The purchase price was $1.2 million, with up to another $300,000 (with a fair value of $131,000) payable in the event certain financial milestones are met over the next one or two years. Those milestones have been met. 

On November 2, 2012, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement (the “Haley Acquisition”) with The Haley Group, LLC whereby we acquired all existing assets of The Haley Group, LLC and its customers. The Haley Acquisition was valued at a total cost of $119,645.  

On June 30, 2014, pursuant to a purchase agreement, the Company purchased 100% of the membership interest of Organic Food Brokers, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company (“OFB”), for $300,000, 100,000 four year options at a price of $1.46 per share, and up to an additional $225,000 in earn-outs if certain milestones are met.

On August 15, 2014, pursuant to a merger agreement, the Company acquired The Fresh Diet, Inc. (“FD”). Effective February 23, 2016, the Company closed a transaction to sell 90% of its ownership in FD for consideration consisting primarily of a restructuring of our loans, which includes the ability to convert to additional amounts of FD under certain circumstances. There is no continuing cash inflows or outflows from or to the discontinued operations.

Pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of January 1, 2017 the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Oasis Sales Corp. (“Oasis”), purchased substantially all of the assets of Oasis Sales and Marketing, L.L.C. for $300,000 cash;  a $200,000 structured equity instrument   which can be paid in cash or shares of the Company stock at the Company’s option, anytime under certain conditions, or is automatically payable via the issuance of 200,000 shares if the Company’s shares close above $1.00 for ten consecutive days; a $100,000 note;  and up to an additional $400,000 in earn-outs over two years if certain milestones are met.  The Agreement also contains claw-back provisions if certain revenue conditions are not met. The milestones have been met.

Effective January 24, 2018, pursuant to an asset acquisition agreement, our wholly-owned subsidiary, Innovative Gourmet LLC (“Innovative Gourmet”), acquired substantially all of the assets and certain liabilities of igourmet LLC and igourmet NY LLC, privately-held New York limited liability companies located in West Pittston, Pennsylvania  (collectively, “Sellers”) engaged in the sale, marketing, and distribution of specialty food and specialty food items through www.igourmet.com, online marketplaces, additional  direct-to-consumer platforms, distribution to foodservice, retail stores and other wholesale accounts, pursuant to the terms of an Asset Purchase Agreement. The consideration for and in connection with the acquisition consisted of:  (i) $1,500,000, which satisfied or reduced secured, priority and administrative debt of Sellers; (ii) in connection with and prior to the acquisition, our wholly-owned subsidiary, Food Funding, LLC (“Food Funding”), funded advances of $325,000 to Sellers on a secured basis, pursuant to certain loan documents and as bridge loans, which loans  were reduced(IVFH) builds dynamic scalable businesses by the proceeds of the Asset Purchase Agreement; (iii) the purchase for $200,000 of certain debt owed by Sellers, to be paid out of, if  available, Innovative Gourmet’s cash flow; (iv) potential contingent liability allocation for a percentage of Sellers’ approximately $2,300,000 of certain debt, not purchased or assumed by Innovative Gourmet, which  under certain circumstances, Innovative Gourmet may determine to pay; and (v) additional purchase price consideration of (a) up to a maximum of $1,500,000, if EBITDA of Innovative Gourmet reaches $800,000 thousand in 2018, (b) up to a maximum of $1,750,000, if EBITDA of Innovative Gourmet in 2019 exceeds its EBITDA in 2018 by at least 20% and if its EBITDA reaches $5,000,000; and (c) up to a maximum of $2,125,000, if EBITDA of Innovative Gourmet in 2020 exceeds its EBITDA in 2019 by at least 20% and if its EBITDA reaches $8,000,000. The EBITDA based earnout shall be paid 37.5% in cash, 25% in IVFH shares valued at the time of the closing of this transaction and 37.5%, at Innovative Gourmet’s option, in IVFH shares valued at the time of the payment of the earnout or in cash. The additional purchase price consideration milestone for 2018 and 2019 and 2020 were not met. In connection with the acquisition, our wholly-owned subsidiary, Food Funding, purchased Seller’s senior secured note at a price of approximately $1,187,000, pursuant to the terms of a Loan Sale Agreement with UPS Capital Business Credit.  That note was reduced by the proceeds of the Asset Purchase Agreement.  See Item (i) above.

Effective July 6, 2018, pursuant to an asset purchase agreement between Mouth Foods, Inc. (“Mouth”) and our wholly-owned subsidiary M Innovations LLC (“M Innovations”) (the “MFI APA”), the Company acquired certain assets of Mouth from MFI (assignment for the benefit of creditors), LLC, in connection with a Delaware assignment proceeding. The MFI APA was accounted for as an acquisition of an ongoing business where the Company was treated as the acquirer and the acquired assets and assumed liabilities were recorded by the Company at their preliminary estimated fair values. Mouth, a privately held New York company operating out of Brooklyn, was an expert curator and online retailer of high qualityselling specialty foods from small-batch makers in the US.

The consideration for and in connection with the acquisition consisted of (i) closing related cash payments of $208,355; (ii) additional revenue-based contingent liabilities valued by management at $100,000 relatedthat are difficult to certain future sales of purchased assets payable under the following terms: payment of 5% of certain revenues, with no payments on the first $500,000 of revenues and no payments on revenues after June 30, 2020;  (iii) additional revenue based contingent liabilities of up to $185,000 associated with the purchase of certain debt of the seller; and (iv) additional contingent liability consideration valued by management at approximately $20,000.

Effective July 23, 2019, P Innovations LLC (“P Innovations”) acquired certain assets of GBC Sub, Inc. (d/b/a The GiftBox) (“GiftBox”) (the “GiftBox Asset Purchase Agreement”). GiftBox, a privately held Nevada corporation controlled by David Polinsky, a director of the Company, was in the business of subscription-based ecommerce. The consideration for the assets purchased was a nominal amount of cash. The GiftBox Asset Purchase Agreement also provides the sellers the option to acquire 30% of P Innovations subject to dilution for a period of thirty-six months following the date of the Giftbox Asset Purchase Agreement; the option will only be exercisable if therefind through traditional channels. Our expertise is a spinoff of P Innovations to Innovative Food Holdings’ shareholders. The Company is evaluating its preliminary purchase price allocation.

Our Operations

Our business is currently conducted by our wholly owned subsidiaries, some of which are non-operating, Artisan Specialty Foods, Inc. (“Artisan”), Food Innovations, Inc. (“FII”), Food New Media Group, Inc. (“FNM”), Organic Food Brokers, LLC (“OFB”), Gourmet Food Service Group, Inc. (“GFG”), Gourmet Foodservice Warehouse, Inc. (“GFW”), Gourmeting, Inc. (“Gourmeting”), The Haley Group, Inc. (“Haley”), Oasis Sales Corp. (“Oasis”),  4 The Gourmet, Inc. (d/b/a For The Gourmet, Inc.), (“Gourmet”), Innovative Food Properties LLC (“IFP”), Innovative Gourmet, LLC (“Innovative Gourmet” or “igourmet”), Food Funding, LLC (“Food Funding”), Logistics Innovations, LLC (“L Innovations”), M Innovations, LLC (“M Innovations” or “Mouth”), P Innovations, LLC “P Innovations”), and collectively with IVFH and its other subsidiaries, the “Company” or “IVFH” have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation of these entities.

Overall, our business activities are focused around the creation and growth of a platform which provides distribution or the enabling of distribution of high quality, unique specialty food and food related products ranging from specialty foodservice products to Consumer-Packaged Goods (“CPG”) products through a variety of sales channels ranging from national partnership based and regionally based foodservice related sales channels to e-commerce sales channels offering products both direct to consumers (“D2C”) and direct to business (“B2B”).  In our business model, we receive orders from our customers and then work closely with our suppliers and our warehouse facilities to have the orders fulfilled.  In order to maintain freshness and quality, we carefully select our suppliers based upon, among other factors, their quality, uniqueness, reliability and access to overnight courier services.

FII, through its relationshipforging close relationships with the producers, growers, makers and makersdistributors of thousandsspecialty products, then carefully selecting our suppliers based on their quality, uniqueness and reliability.

The IVFH team is adept at evaluating and certifying the food safety and supply chain capabilities of small batch producers who don’t typically sell through broad-based sales channels. We seek out the freshest, most unique, specialty foodservice productsorigin-specific gourmet cheese, meat, produce, and through its relationship with US Foods, Inc.  (“U.S. Foods” or “USF”), has been in the businesspremium ingredients available, and distribute them directly from our robust network of providing premium restaurants,vendors and warehouses within 24 – 72 hours withof an order being placed. We also source, package, and brand a meaningful segment of these products ourselves, enabling us to better control the freshest origin-specific perishable,assortment, offer more flexibility and healthcare products shipped directly fromvariety to our networkcustomers, and capture additional margin.

We leverage this unique, premium assortment to serve the needs of vendors and from our warehouses. Our customers includeProfessional Chefs in settings such as restaurants, hotels, country clubs, national chain accounts, casinos, hospitals and catering houses. We provide these premium customers with products that can’t typically be found through their broadline distributor’s warehouse assortment. We distribute these products directly to Professional Chefs in Chicago through our subsidiary, Artisan Specialty Foods, Inc., and nationally through our e-commerce businesses on Amazon.com and our own website. We also drop ship specialty foods to Professional Chefs nationally through the websites of broadline distributors, such as US Foods, Inc. Between this variety of sales channels, IVFH is able to serve our Professional Chef customers wherever they are located.

Gourmet has beenWe service our customers from two warehouses: a 200K square foot facility in Mountain Top, Pennsylvania (an important industry distribution hub for the Northeast), and a 28K square foot facility in the greater Chicago area. We have the capabilities to pack and ship frozen, refrigerated, and ambient products, enabling us to sell a broad range of specialty foods. We also have GFSI/SQF certifications, allowing compatibility with the highest standards of food handling supply chains in the world, and the quality and food safety that our premium customers expect from us. These warehouses have the ability to ship packages and pallets of all sizes through overnight shipping. We also leverage our own fleet of trucks to deliver directly to our Professional Chef customers within our reach.

Our proprietary technology platform underpins our entire business, driving transparency and efficiency up and down the supply chain. Orders flow in real time, whether to our warehouses or to our vendor partners, to allow for fast handling and fulfillment. Our picking is enabled by efficient scan-based, handheld devices, ensuring order and inventory accuracy. Our warehouse management software optimizes pick routes for common items and order types, recommends a box size, and calculates the appropriate amount of providingpackaging and ice required based on forecasted temperatures along the delivery route.

We have built a team consisting of passionate, committed, and food-obsessed people: our average tenure (outside of seasonal workers) across the company is over five years. Our merchandising team has deep connections within the specialty food via e-commerce through its own website at www.forethegourmet.comspace around the globe. Our Chef Advisors, as ex-chefs themselves, go beyond customer service to offer our Professional Chefs customer support, menu ideas, and through other ecommerce channels, with unique specialty gourmet food products shipped directly from our network of vendors and from our warehouses within 24 – 72 hours. GFG is focused on expanding the Company’s program offerings to additional customers.  preparation guidance.

Artisan is a supplier of over 1,500 unique specialty foodservice products to over 500 customers such as chefs, restaurants, etc. in the Greater Chicago area and serves as a national fulfillment center for certain of the Company’s other subsidiaries.

IFP was formed to hold the Company’s real estate holdings including the recently acquired facility in PA.

P Innovations’ focus is to leverage acquired assets to expand the Company’s subscription-based e-commerce business activities.

L Innovations provides 3rd party warehouse and fulfillment services, out of its first location at the Company’s Mountaintop, Pennsylvania facility.

Haley is a dedicated foodservice consulting and advisory firm that works closely with companies to access private label and manufacturers’ private label food service opportunities with the intent of helping them launch and commercialize new products in the broadline foodservice industry and assists in the enabling of the distribution of products via national broadline food distributors.

OFB and Oasis function as outsourced national sales and brand management teams for emerging organic and specialty food CPG companies of a variety of sizes and business stages and provides emerging and unique CPG specialty food brands with distribution and shelf placement access in all of the major metro markets in the food retail industry.  

igourmet has been in the business of providing D2C specialty food via e-commerce through its own website at www.igourmet.com and through other channels including www.amazon.com, and www.walmart.com. In addition, igourmet.com offers a line of B2B specialty foodservice items. Products are primarily shipped directly from igourmet.com’s approximately 100,000 square feet warehouse in Pennsylvania via igourmet.com owned trucks and via third party carrier directly to thousands of customers nationwide.

Mouth (www.mouth.com) is an online retailer of specialty foods, monthly subscription boxes and curated gift boxes to thousands of consumers and corporate customers nationwide. Mouth sources high quality specialty foods mainly crafted in the US by independent and small batch makers, and expertly curates them into standout food gifts for both consumers and corporate customers. Mouth also has launched a private label brand, including several award-winning products.

Our Products

We distribute over 7,000 perishable and specialty food and food related products, including origin-specific seafood, domestic and imported meats, exotic game and poultry, artisanal cheeses, freshly prepared meals, caviar, wild and cultivated mushrooms, micro-greens, organic farmed and manufactured food products, estate-bottled olive oils and aged vinegars and expertly curated food gift baskets, gift boxes and a full of line of food subscription based offerings. Products are sold under the brand of the respective vendor and are also offered under a variety of Company owned brands. In addition, we offer a line of niche specialty healthcare related products. On a regular basis we add additional products including new products from small batch makers and other unique specialty food products. We offer our nationwide customers access to the best food products available from around the world, quickly, most direct, and cost-effectively.

Some of the items we sell include:

Customer Service and Logistics

Our foodservice focused, live chef-driven customer service department is generally available by telephone, Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Florida time. Our consumer-focused multi-lingual, customer care specialists are available by live chat and telephone Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 7:00 pm (ET), and on Friday from 9:00 am to 5 pm (ET).  Our team is available and can be contacted 7 days a week via email, and on social media platforms. The customer service departments are made up of a team of chefs and culinary experts including a team of culinary trained chefs, who are full-time employees of the Company, and who are experienced in all aspects of perishable and specialty products. By employing chefs and culinary experts to handle customer service, we are able to provide our customers with extensive information about our products, including:

Our logistics team manages the shipping and delivery process of every package to ensure timely delivery of products to our customers. We have developed the web-based capability to allow customers to seamlessly receive and send personal orders and gifts according to their desired schedule. The logistics manager receives shipping information on all products ordered, and packages are monitored from origin to delivery. In the event that delivery service is interrupted, our logistics department begins the process of expediting the package to its destination or potentially reshipping the package with a goal of 100% customer satisfaction for our customers. Our logistics manager works directly with our suppliers on an ongoing basis, to ensure that the appropriate packaging and shipping specifications are in place at all times. At the beginning of March 2020, as early signs were beginning to emerge that Covid-19 might potentially be a significant issue in the United states, we initiated additional preventative safety measure in our facilities and we continued adding additional preventative safety measures including protective gear for employees, temperature testing, ongoing onsite team of cleaning and sanitizing specialists, social distancing, special no contact package handling protocols and we continue to assess and add additional measures targeted towards the safety of our employees and the safety of our facilities and our products.

Relationship with U.S. Foods

We have historically sold the majority of our products, $20,748,819$34,070,052 and $33,076,022,$39,531,207, respectively, representing 40%47% and 57%49% of total sales, respectively, in each of the years ended December 31, 20202023 and 2019,2022, through a distributor relationship between FII, one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, and subsidiaries of U.S. Foods, a leading broadline distributor. On January 26, 2015 we executed a contract directly between FII and U.S. Foods (the “U.S. Foods Agreement”). The term of the U.S. Foods Agreement was from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2016 and provided for a limited number of automatic annual renewals thereafter if no party gives the other 30 days’ notice of its intent not to renew. Based on the terms, the U.S. Foods Agreement was extended through December 31, 2018. Effective January 1, 2018 the U.S. Foods Agreement was further amended to remove the cap on renewals, and provide for an unlimited number of additional 12-month terms unless either party notifies the other in writing, 30 days prior to the end date, of its intent not to renew.

Growth Strategy

DueOur long term strategy is still taking shape, but there are three clear elements at this point in our evolution to the COVID-19 outbreaka profitable, growing business model.

First, at our heart, we focused on growing a direct-to-chef specialty foodservice platform. It's a straightforward business, generates strong cash flow, and has great growth potential. In contrast, direct-to-consumer e-commerce is not a business we will focus on. We are in the United Statesprocess of ramping it down, and any remaining business will focus only on items we already carry in our foodservice channels, and which we can sell profitably, with no capital.

Second, our core drop ship business (where we don't touch the economic outlookinventory) needs to diversify with more partners and into additional sales channels. We have a strong relationship with US Foods, but the company will benefit from having additional large partners. We have started this journey with the $10 million business we've built with Gate Gourmet. Other areas of focus include onboarding additional broadline distributors, additional airline caterers, Club channel partners, Amazon.com, etc. Sales channel diversification will continue to be a focus for restaurant-basedus.

Third, our specialty food remains unclear. According to Technomic,distribution business (where we own the inventory, warehouses, and trucks) has opportunity for growth. Today, this business is called Artisan Specialty Foods, and only serves Chicago. It has doubled in size since we purchased it a leading foodservice research provider, despite their expressed excitementdecade ago, and love for restaurantsdone so with very little incremental investment. Growth opportunities in specialty distribution exist both in Chicago through category and the experience they provide, consumers report a growing reluctance to quickly return to normal restaurant behaviors. In addition, according to Technomic, food establishment operators are also showing drops in optimism about the pace of reopening. Despite potentially experiencing the bottom of the sales drop, many operators are reporting that they do not expect a quick recovery and expect a prolonged ramp-up period and Technomic is estimating that despite the significant decline in 2020 US restaurant sales, the U.S. restaurant industry sales will grow by 21% in 2021 depending on the length of the shutdown and any subsequent recession.

Credit Suisse Group estimates that 80% of U.S. household food spend now goes towards food-at-home vs. food-away-from-home. This is greater than the food-at-home spending share in 2018 of 47.6% and post-Great Recession peak of 50%, as per the United States Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service. In addition, recent commentary from Neilsen indicates that with improvements in technology, infrastructure and experience, coupled with a reduction in barriers to trial, such as delivery length or shipping costs, buyer adoption of online CPG shopping has consistently increased over the last two years. Yet while those changes have increased adoption of online ordering, COVID-19 has caused another step change in the way consumers shop.

Prior to the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak, industry trends were very favorable towards market acceptance and continued growth of specialty food brands, which was a trend that boded well for us and our products.

To drive growth within the specialty food space, we intend to focus our efforts in demand driven active sales channels and leverage our ability to offer our products across multiple selling channels including to professional chefs within the restaurant channelcustomer expansion, as well as directly to consumer at home via ecommerce. We expect to continue offering unique and premium quality products as well asthrough M&A in new product introduction and innovation to our customers and potential customers. In addition, we plan on continuing to value and strive for a high level of personalized customer service.markets.

We anticipate attempting to grow our business through:Competition

In addition to attempting to grow our current business, we believe that there are lateral opportunities in the food industry. We may consider the possibility of acquiring specialty food manufacturers, specialty food distributors, small specialty food brands, or specialty food e-commerce businesses. We anticipate that, given our current cash flow levels, any acquisition could potentially involve the issuance of additional shares of our common stock or third party financing, which may not be available on acceptable terms. No acquisition will be consummated without thorough due diligence. No assurance can be given that we will be able to identify and successfully conclude negotiations with any potential target.

Competition

While we face intense competition in the marketing of our products and services, it is our belief that there are few companies offering sucha platform similar to ours, offering a broad range of customer service oriented,unique, high quality, chef driven products and specialty gourmet products, for nationwide delivery from same day to 72 hours.as soon as the next day. Our primary competition is from local purveyors that supply a limited local market and have a limited range of products and from the other specialty gourmet distributors and specialty food retail stores or ecommerce stores, and from the national, regional or local expansion of specialty and non-specialty food distributers and food stores and food focused ecommerce sites.products. In addition, many purveyors are well established, have reputations for success in the development and marketing of these types of products and services and have significantly greater financial, marketing, distribution, personnel and other resources. These financial and other capabilities permit such companies to implement extensive advertising and promotional campaigns, both generally and in response to efforts by additional competitors such as us, to enter into new markets and introduce new products and services.

Insurance

We maintain a Business Owners Policy with a general liability per occurrence limit of $1,000,000 and aggregate policy covering $2,000,000 of liability for all entities. The Company carries an Auto Policy with non-owned automobile bodily injury and property damage coverage with a limit of $1,000,000 for all entities. The Company also carries an Umbrella policy of up to $14,000,000 which covers all entities, along with two excess umbrella policies that sit over the BOP and Umbrella policies. The excess umbrella policies have limits of $5,000,000 and $6,000,000. The Company carries a Cyber policy of up to $2,000,000 which insures the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company carries two Commercial Property Policies, for its buildings in PA and FL, with a limit of up to $12,490,000 for PA and a limit of up to $1,595,000$1,630,000 for FL .FL. Such insurance may not be sufficient to cover all potential claims against us and additional insurance may not be available in the future at a reasonable price.

Government Regulation

Various federal and state laws currently exist, and more are sure to be adopted, regulating the delivery of fresh food products. We require specialty foodservice third-party vendors to certify that they maintain at least $3,000,000 liability insurance coverage in aggregate and compliance with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), an FDA- and USDA-mandated food safety program, or a similar standard. Any changes in the government regulation of delivering of fresh food products that hinders our current ability and/or cost to deliver fresh products, could adversely impact our net revenues and gross margins and, therefore, our profitability and cash flows could also be adversely affected.

Employees

We currently employ 12992 full-time employees, including 8 chefs and 23 executive officers. Our employee base has reduced with the sale of non-core business operations and the decision to ramp down our direct-to-customer operations. We believe that our relations with our employees are satisfactory. None of our employees are represented by a union.

Transactions with Major Customers

Transactions with a major customer and related economic dependence information is set forth (1) following our discussion of Liquidity and Capital Resources, (2) Under the heading Major Customer in Note 1918 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, (3) in Business – Relationship with U.S. Foods, (4) as the third item under Risk Factors.

How to Contact Us

Our executive offices are located at 28411 Race Track9696 Bonita Beach Rd., Ste. 208, Bonita Springs, Florida 34135; our Internet address is www.ivfh.com; and our telephone number is (239) 596-0204. The contents of our website are not incorporated in or deemed to be a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 1A. Risk Factors

We face risks related to health epidemics and other widespread outbreaks of contagious disease, which could significantly disrupt oursales andsupply chain and impact our operating results.

Significant outbreaks of contagious diseases, and other adverse public health developments, could have a material impact on our business operations and operating results. In December 2019, a strain of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) causing respiratory illness and death emerged in the city of Wuhan in the Hubei province of China. The coronavirus was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization and has been spreadingspread throughout the world, including the United States, resulting in emergency measures includingsuch as travel bans, closure of retail stores, and restrictions on gatherings of more than a maximum number of people. Included in these emergency measures is the mandated full or partial closure of restaurants and other foodservice establishments across the United States. These foodservice establishments represent a significant portion of our revenues and their continued closure and/or operation with capacity limits would likely continue to have a detrimental effect on our business.

In addition,We believe the risks associated with COVID-19 have significantly diminished during the year ended December 31, 2023. However, the risk of future contagious disease outbreaks remains a significant risk factor for us which could result in the relatively short period with which the world has been dealing with thiseconomic turmoil. Should a recession occur, either as a result of a pandemic, significant economic turmoil has already impacted world markets.  Numerous nationally recognized economists are predicting that the disease will lead to a worldwide recession.  Should that occur,lack of stability, armed conflicts in various countries or for any other reason, we can expect that our sales, net income and cash flows will be negatively impacted. While the governmental organizations of the United States, as well as governments across the world, are implementing emergency economic measures and announcing the consideration of additional emergency economic assistance packages, it is unclear what impact they are having, and will have, on the economy in the United States and worldwide.  Great uncertainty surrounds the length of time this disease will continue to spread, the potential effect the disease, or the fear of the disease, could have on any area of our business operations, the number of people it will impact, directly and indirectly, and the extent governments will continue to impose, or add additional, quarantines, curfews, travel restrictions and closures of restaurants and other foodservice establishments.  In addition, even following control of the disease and the end of the pandemic, the economic dislocation caused by the disease to so many people may linger and be so significant that consumers’ focus could be directed away from spending for products such as ours for an extended period of time. In addition, if the economy does not begin recovering and foodservice revenues do not increase, there could be financial stress on the Company which may require the Company to take additional measures appropriate under those circumstances. For all of these reasons, the impact on sales, net income and cash flows can be significant depending on the items mentioned above but at this time we cannot quantify the specific extent of the impact this disease will have on our sales, net income and cash flows.

We Have a History of Losses Requiring Us to Seek Additional Sources of Capital.

As of December 31, 2020,2023, we had an accumulated deficit of $32,399,793.$38,821,278. We cannot assure you that we can achieve profitability on a quarterly or annual basis in the future. If revenues grow more slowly than we anticipate, or if operating expenses exceed our expectations or cannot be adjusted accordingly, or other extraordinary events occur, we will incur losses. Our possible success is dependent upon the successful development and marketing of our services and products, as well as continued expansion of our products and customers, as to which we can give no assurance. Any future success that we might enjoy will depend upon many factors, including factors out of our control or which cannot be predicted at this time. These factors may include changes in or increased levels of competition, including the entry of additional competitors and increased success by existing competitors, changes in general economic conditions, increases in operating costs, including costs of supplies, personnel, marketing and promotions, reduced margins caused by competitive pressures and other economic and non-economic factors. These conditions may have a materially adverse effect upon us or may force us to curtail operations. In addition, we could require additional funds to sustain and expand our sales and marketing activities, particularly if a well-financed competitor emerges. We can give no assurance that financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Our inability in such instance to obtain sufficient funds from our operations or external sources could require us to curtail operations.

We Have Historically Derived Substantially Most of Our Revenue From One Client and if We Were to Lose Such Client andBe Unable to Generate New Sales to Offset Such Loss, We May Be Forced to Cease or Curtail Our Operations.

In 2003, Next Day Gourmet initially contracted with our subsidiary, Food Innovations, to handle the distribution of over 3,000 perishable and specialty food products to customers of USF. Effective January 1, 2018, we executed a contract amendment between Food Innovations, Inc., our wholly-ownedwholly owned subsidiary, and U.S. Foods which provides for no limit on automatic annual renewals thereafter if no party gives the other 30 days’ notice of its intent not to renew. Our sales through USF’s sales force generated gross revenues for us of $20,748,819$34,070,052 in the year ended December 31, 2020,2023, and $33,076,220$39,531,207 in the year ended December 31, 2019.2022. Those amounts contributed 40%47% and 57%49% of our total sales for each of 20202023 and 2019,2022, respectively. Our sales efforts within specialty foodservice are for the most part substantially dependent upon the efforts of the USF sales force. Although we have generated revenues from additional customers other than USF, if our relationship with USF were to be materially changed and we are unable to generate substantial new sales to offset such loss, we may be forced to significantly curtail our operations.

A Variety of Factors, Including Seasonality and the Economic Environment, May Cause Our Quarterly Operating Results to Fluctuate, Leading to Volatility in Our Stock Price.

Our quarterly results have fluctuated in the past and may fluctuate in the future, depending upon a variety of factors, including changes in economic conditions, including both COVID-19 related and non-related conditions, and shifts in the timing of holiday related purchases. While our annual sales have always had a significant seasonal aspect, this has increased with our acquisition of substantially all of the assets of igourmet LLC and Mouth Foods, Inc, as further described below. As a result of the seasonal nature of our business, we would be significantly and adversely affected, in a manner disproportionate to the impact on a company with sales spread more evenly throughout the year, by unforeseen events such as a terrorist attack or economic shock (including shock caused by world-wide pandemic or otherwise) that harm the retail environment or consumer buying patterns during our key selling season, or by events such as pandemic, strikes or weather related delays that interfere with the shipment of goods, during the critical period of the holiday season.

The Loss of Availability of our Bank Loans Could Adversely Impact our Business and Financial Condition.

We currently have multiple loans with Fifth ThirdMapleMark Bank. All of these contain cross-default provisions which means that all outstanding borrowings can be accelerated and can become immediately due and payable in the event of a default in any of such loans, which includes, among other things, failure to comply with certain financial covenants one of which was not met at year end, or breach of representations contained in the loan documents, defaults under other loans or obligations or involvement in bankruptcy proceedings (as such terms are defined in the loan documents). We are also subject to negative covenants which, during the life of the loans, prohibit and/or limit us from, among other things, incurring certain types of other debt, acquiring other companies, making certain expenditures or investments, and changing the character of our business. Any material change to the business and economic landscape negatively impacting our business, including among other things, an outbreak of infectious disease, a pandemic or a similar public health threat, such as the COVID-19 outbreak, or bank failures, inflation, recession, or other significant economic turmoil, could adversely impact our ability to comply with such covenants. Our failure to comply with such covenants or any other breach of the loan documents could cause a default and we may then be required to repay all of such borrowings with capital from other sources. Under these circumstances, other sources of capital may not be available or may be available only on unfavorable terms. In the event of a default, it is possible that our assets and certain of our subsidiaries’ assets may be attached or seized by the lenders. Any (i) failure by us to comply with the covenants or other provisions of the loan documents, (ii) difficulty in securing any required future financing, or (iii) any such seizure or attachment of assets could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

The Recent Acquisition of Substantially All of the Assets of igourmet LLC and Mouth Foods, Inc. Could Create Additional Risks to Our Business.

On January 23, 2018, our subsidiary, Innovative Gourmet LLC, acquired substantially all of the assets of igourmet, LLC. On July 6, 2018, our subsidiary, M Innovations LLC, acquired substantially all of assets of Mouth Foods, Inc. These businesses are very seasonal in nature, which generates certain operational considerations and could exacerbate the seasonality of our business. To wit, if Innovative Gourmetigourmet or Mouth does not have a strong holiday season, it likely will not be successful. In addition, while our subsidiary acquired only certain discrete liabilities of igourmet LLC, creditors of igourmet or Mouth may seek to impose liability on us or our subsidiaries, the payment of which, if required, could impair our cash flow and even if there may be no actual liability or responsibility to pay such claims, our challenge to such claims could involve significant legal fees and be a distraction to our management. The business model of the assets acquired from igourmet LLC and Mouth differ from our currentother businesses and operations, and therefore the success of its operations and its business model may create unforeseen complications requiring the use of our limited resources to resolve.

Computer System Disruption and Cyber Security Attacks or a Data Breach Could Damage Our Relationships With Our Customers, Harm Our Reputation, Expose Us To Litigation And Adversely Affect Our Business.

Our systems are subject to damage or interruption from computer viruses, malicious attacks and other security breaches. The possibility of a cyberattack on any one or all of these systems is a serious threat.

As part of our business model, we collect, retain, and transmit confidential information over public networks. In addition to our own databases, we use third party service providers to store, process and transmit this information on our behalf. Although we contractually require these service providers to implement and use reasonable security measures, we cannot control third parties and cannot guarantee that a security breach will not occur in the future either at their location or within their systems. We have confidential security measures in place to protect both our physical facilities and digital systems from attacks. Despite these efforts, we may be vulnerable to targeted or random security breaches, acts of vandalism, computer viruses, misplaced or lost data, programming and/or human errors, or other similar events.

Given the growing nature of our e-commerce presence and digital strategy, it is imperative that we and our partners maintain uninterrupted and secure operation of our: (i) computer hardware, (ii) software systems, (iii) customer marketing databases and other customer information, and (iv) ability to email our current and potential customers.

If our systems are damaged or fail to function properly or reliably, we may incur substantial repair or replacement costs, experience data loss or theft and impediments to our ability to conduct our operations. Any material disruptions in our e-commerce presence or information technology systems could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

A Failure to Establish and Maintain Strategic Onlineand Social MediaRelationships, and Other Relationships Targeted Towards Driving Web Traffic to our Websites, that Generate a Significant Amount of Traffic Could Limit the Growth of the Assets Acquired from igourmet LLC and Mouth Foods Inc.

We rely on third party websites, search engines and affiliates with which we have strategic relationships for traffic. If these third-partiesthird parties do not attract a significant number of visitors, we may not receive a significant number of online customers from these relationships and our revenues from these relationships may remain flat or decrease. There continues to be strong competition to establish or maintain relationships with leading Internet companies, and we may not successfully enter into additional relationships, or renew existing ones beyond their current terms. We may also be required to pay significant fees to maintain and expand existing relationships or possibly not achieve the desired results with existing relationships. Our online revenues may suffer if we do not enter into new relationships or maintain existing relationships or if these relationships do not result in traffic sufficient to justify their costs.

If a Significant Number of Customers are not Satisfied with their Purchase, We will be Required to Incur Substantial Costs to Issue Refunds, Credits or Replacement Products.

If customers are not satisfied with the products they receive, we may either replace the product for the customer or issue the customer a refund or credit. Ours net income would decrease if a significant number of customers request replacement products, refunds or credits and we are unable to pass such costs onto the supplier.

If We Fail to Continuously Improve Our Website, it May Not Attract or Retain Customers.

If potential or existing customers do not find our websites including www.igourmet.com, www.mouth.com or any of the company’s other websites, a convenient place to shop, we may not attract or retain customers and our sales may suffer. To encourage the use of our website, we must continuously improve its accessibility, mobile capabilities, content and ease of use. In addition, customer traffic and our business would be adversely affected if competitors’ websites are perceived as easier to use or better able to satisfy customer needs. Furthermore, e-commerce conversion rates could be adversely affected by a variety of website related factors.

Our Marketing Efforts to Help Grow Our Business May Not be Effective.

Maintaining and promoting awareness of our websites, including www.igourmet.com and www.mouth.com , is important to our ability to attract and retain visitors. Generating a meaningful return on our investments in marketing initiatives may be difficult. The marketing efforts we implement may not succeed for a variety of reasons, including our inability to execute and implement our plans. External factors beyond our control may also impact the success of our marketing initiatives. Search engines frequently change the algorithms that determine the ranking and display of results of a user’s search and may make other changes to the way results are displayed, which can negatively affect the placement of links to our websites and, therefore, reduce the number of visits to our websites.

The growing use of online ad-blocking software, including on mobile devices, may also impact the success of our marketing efforts because we may reach a smaller audience and fail to bring more visitors to our websites. In addition, ongoing privacy regulatory changes may impact the scope and effectiveness of marketing and advertising services generally, including those used related to our websites. We also seek to obtain website visitors through email. If we are unable to successfully deliver emails to potential customers or customers do not open our emails, whether by choice or because those emails are marked as low priority or spam, or for other reasons, our business could be adversely affected. Social networking websites, such as Facebook and others are another source of visits to our websites. As ecommerce and social networking evolve, we must continue to evolve our marketing tactics accordingly and, if we are unable to do so, our business could be adversely affected.

If We Do Not Accurately Predict Customer Demand for Our Products, We May Lose Customers or Experience Increased Costs.

As we expand the volume of products offered to our customers, we may be required or may elect for business purposes, to increase inventory levels and the number of products maintained in our warehouses. If we overestimate customer demand for our products, excess inventory and outdated merchandise could accumulate, tying up working capital and potentially resulting in reduced warehouse capacity and inventory losses due to damage, theft and obsolescence. If we underestimate customer demand, it may disappoint customers who may turn to our competitors.

The Laws with Respect to Taxes Have Changed and May Change Again Which Could Impact Our Operating Results.

The U.S. Congress has enacted legislation that significantly reforms the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The new legislation, among other things, includes changes to U.S. federal tax rates, imposes significant additional limitations on the deductibility of interest and net operating losses, and allows for the expensing of certain capital expenditures. Our net deferred tax assets and liabilities will be revalued at the newly enacted U.S. corporate rate, and the impact will be recognized in our tax expense in the year of enactment. We have adjusted our deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2018, using the new corporate rate of 21 percent; however, we base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable in the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. itIt is possible that the application of these new rules may have a material and adverse impact on our operating results, cash flows and financial condition. Furthermore, the recent Supreme Court Ruling in South Dakota V. Wayfair, Inc, in which the Court upheld South Dakota’s economic nexus law, which requires companies to collect sales tax when their sales or the number of transactions withwithin the state exceed certain thresholds. could have an adverse impact on our business. In addition, any other changes to applicable tax laws, whether on a federal or state level, could also decrease our ability to compete with traditional retailers, and otherwise harm our business.

If We Fail to Attract and Retain Key Personnel, Our Business and Operating Results May be Harmed.

Our future success depends to a significant degree on the skills, experience and efforts of key personnel in our senior management, whose vision for our company, knowledge of our business and expertise would be difficult to replace. If any one of our key employees leaves, is unable to work, or fails to perform and we are unable to find a qualified replacement, we may be unable to execute our business strategy.

We May Be Unable to Manage Our Growth Which Could Result in Our Being Unable to Maintain Our Operations.

Our strategy for growth is focused on continued enhancements and expansion to our existing business model, offering a broader range of services and products, affiliating with additional vendors and through possible joint ventures. Pursuing this strategy presents a variety of challenges. We may not experience an increase in our services to our existing customers, and we may not be able to achieve the economies of scale, or provide the business, administrative and financial services, required to sustain profitability from servicing our existing and future customer base. Should we be successful in our expansion efforts, the expansion of our business would place further demands on our management, operational capacity and financial resources. To a significant extent, our future success will be dependent upon our ability to maintain adequate financial controls and reporting systems to manage a larger operation and to obtain additional capital upon favorable terms. We can give no assurance that we will be able to successfully implement our planned expansion (whether due to the impact of COVID-19, difficult economic conditions, or other unrelated reasons), finance its growth, or manage the resulting larger operations, if any. In addition, we can give no assurance that our current systems, procedures or controls will be adequate to support any expansion of our operations. Our failure to manage our growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Specialty Food and Foodservice Industry is Very Competitive, Which May Result in Decreased Revenue for Us as Well as Increased Expenses Associated with Marketing Our Services and Products.

The specialty food and foodservice businesses are highly competitive. We compete against other providers of quality foods, some of which sell their services globally, and some of these providers have considerably greater resources than we have. These competitors may have greater marketing and sales capacity, established distribution networks, significant goodwill and global name recognition. Our e-commerce and product catalog websites and paper mailings compete with other e-commerce websites and other catalogs, and other specialty foodservice providers that market lines of products similar to ours. We compete with national, regional and local businesses utilizing a similar strategy, as well as traditional specialty food and foodservice distributors. The substantial sales growth in the direct-to-customer industry within the last decade has encouraged the entry of many new competitors, new business models, and an increase in competition from established companies. Furthermore, it may become necessary for us to reduce our prices in response to competition. This could negatively impact our ability to be profitable.

We Rely Upon Outside Vendors and Shippers for Our Specialty Food Products and Interruption in the Supply of Our Products or their Failure to Adhere to Our Quality Standards May Negatively Impact Our Revenues.

Shortages in supplies of the food products we sell may impair our ability to provide our services. Our vendors are independent and we cannot guarantee their future ability to source the products that we sell. Many of our products are wild-caught, and we cannot guarantee their availability in the future. Unforeseen strikes and labor disputes as well as adverse weather conditions may result in our inability to deliver our products in a timely manner. Also, if our suppliers fail to supply quality product in a timely and effective manner it could lead to an increase in recalls and customer litigation against us which could harm our brands’ images and negatively affect our business and operating results. The success of our business depends, in part, on our ability to timely and effectively deliver merchandise (e.g. fresh products) to our customers. We cannot control all of the various factors that might affect our fulfillment rates in direct-to-customer sales. We are heavily dependent upon one national carrier for the delivery of our fresh products to our customers. Accordingly, we are subject to risks, including labor disputes, union organizing activity, inclement weather, technology breakdowns, natural disasters, the closure of their offices or a reduction in operational hours due to an economic slowdown or health related crisis, possible acts of terrorism, their ability to provide delivery services to meet our shipping needs, disruptions or increased fuel costs, and costs associated with any regulations to address climate change. Since our customers rely on us to deliver their orders daily or within 24-72 hours, delivery delays could significantly harm our business.

In Order to be Successful, We Must be able to Enhance Our Existing Products and Develop and Introduce New Products and Services to Respond to Changing Market Demand.

The markets in which we operate are characterized by frequently changing customer demand and the introduction of new “flavors of the month” as certain foods become more and less popular. Changes in customer preferences and buying trends may also affect our products differently. We must be able to stay current with preferences and trends in specialty food and address the customer tastes for each of our target customer demographics. We must also be able to identify and adjust products to cater to customer demands and dietary needs. For example, a change in customer preferences for gluten free items may not correlate to a similar change in buying trends for other specialty food. In order to be successful, we must be able to enhance our existing products and anticipate and develop and introduce new products and services to respond to changing market demand for new tastes. The development and enhancement of services and products entails significant risks, including:

o the inability to effectively adapt new food types to our business;

o the failure to conform our services and products to evolving industry standards;

o the inability to develop, introduce and market enhancements to our existing services and products or new services and products on a timely basis; and

o the non-acceptance by the market of such new service and products.

If we misjudge either the market for our products or our customers’ purchasing habits, our sales may decline significantly which would negatively impact our business and operating results.

Any Acquisitions We Make or Have Made Could Result in Difficulties in Successfully Managing Our Business and Consequently Harm Our Financial Condition.

We seek to expand by acquiring complementary businesses or assets in our current or ancillary markets. We cannot accurately predict the timing, size and success of our acquisition efforts and the associated capital commitments that might be required. We expect to face competition for acquisition candidates, which may limit the number of acquisition opportunities available to us and may lead to higher acquisition prices. There can be no assurance that we will be able to identify, acquire or profitably manage additional businesses or successfully integrate acquired businesses, if any, without substantial costs, delays or other operational or financial difficulties. In addition, acquisitions involve a number of other risks, including:

Client dissatisfaction or performance problems at a single acquired business could negatively affect our reputation. The inability to acquire businesses on reasonable terms or successfully integrate and manage acquired companies, or the occurrence of performance problems at acquired companies, both prior and after acquisition, could result, or has resulted, in dilution, potential violations of bank covenants, unfavorable accounting treatment or one-time charges, and difficulties in successfully managing our business, requiring us to expend additional effort and expense in obtaining waivers, settling matters and otherwise addressing any such issues.

Our Future Results Depend on Continued Evolution of the Internet and its Use by Consumers and Businesses for Buying Our Products.

Our future results can depend on the use of the Internet for information, publication, distribution and commerce. Our growth may also be dependent on increasing availability to business consumers of broadband Internet access which will allow such persons to access higher-capacity content through the Internet. Our business could suffer if Internet usage and broadband availability does not continue to grow and evolve. In addition, the concept of ordering food, including ingredients, while it has recently grown, is a relatively new concept and represents a change from the way it had been previously done.

If We are Unable to Effectively Manage Our IT Dependent Business Our Reputation and Operating Results May be Harmed.

The success of our business depends, in part, on third parties and factors over which we have limited control. We are also vulnerable to certain additional risks and uncertainties associated with our e-commerce and product catalog websites, our internal IT systems and IT integration with our partners, including: changes in required technology interfaces; system issues and limitations, website downtime and other technical failures; internet connectivity issues; costs and technical issues as we upgrade our website software; computer viruses; changes in applicable federal and state regulations; security breaches; and consumer privacy concerns. In addition, we must keep up to date with competitive technology trends, including the use of new or improved technology, creative user interfaces and other e-commerce marketing tools such as paid search and mobile applications, among others, which may increase our costs and which may not succeed in increasing sales or attracting customers. Our failure to successfully respond to these risks and uncertainties might adversely affect our sales, as well as damage our reputation and brands.

We May be Exposed to Risks and Costs Associated with Credit Card Fraud and Identity Theft that could Cause Us to Incur Unexpected Expenses and Loss of Revenue.

An increasing portion of our customer orders are placed through our e-commerce websites and a significant portion of our orders are submitted via networked applications. In addition, a significant portion of sales made through our retail channel require the collection of certain customer data, such as credit card information. In order for our sales channels to function and develop successfully, we and other parties involved in processing customer transactions must be able to transmit confidential information, including credit card information, securely over public networks. Third parties may have the technology or knowledge to breach the security of customer transaction data. Although we take the security of our systems and the privacy of our customers’ confidential information extremely seriously, we cannot guarantee that our security measures will effectively prevent others from obtaining unauthorized access to our information and our customers’ information. Any person who circumvents our security measures could destroy or steal valuable information or disrupt our operations. Any security breach could cause consumers to lose confidence in the security of our websites and choose not to purchase from us. Any security breach could also expose us to risks of data loss, litigation and liability and could seriously disrupt our operations and harm our reputation, any of which could harm our business.

In addition, states and the federal government are increasingly enacting laws and regulations to protect consumers against identity theft. Compliance with these laws will likely increase the costs of doing business and, if we fail to implement appropriate safeguards or to detect and provide prompt notice of unauthorized access as required by some of these new laws, we could be subject to potential claims for damages and other remedies, which could harm our business.results of operations.

Earthquakes, Inclement Weather or Other Events Out of Our Control May Damage or Limit Production fromOur Facilities and Our Ability to Timely Deliver Products Thereby Adversely Affecting Our Results of Operations.

We have significant operations in Florida, Illinois, and in other areas where weather or other events such as an earthquake, tsunami, hurricane, flood, fire, high winds, extreme heat or cold, or other natural or manmade events, could disrupt our operations and impair production or distribution of our products, damage inventory, interrupt critical functions, or otherwise affect our business negatively, adversely affecting our results of operations.

Declines in General Economic Conditions and the Resulting Impact on Consumer Confidence and Consumer Spending Could Adversely Impact Our Results of Operations.

Our financial performance is subject to declines in general economic conditions and the impact of such economic conditions on levels of consumer confidence and consumer spending. Consumer confidence and consumer spending may deteriorate significantly and could remain depressed for an extended period of time, whether due to COVID-19pandemic, inflation, bank failure, or other unrelated reasons. Consumer purchases of discretionary items, including specifically our merchandise, generally decline during periods when disposable income is limited, unemployment rates increase, and consumer perceptions of personal well-being and security declines or there is economic uncertainty. An uncertain economic environment could adversely impact our business and operating results.

We Are and May Be Subject to Regulatory Compliance and Legal Uncertainties.

Changes in government regulation and supervision or proposed Department of Agriculture or other regulatory agency reforms or rule changes could impair our sources of revenue and limit our ability to expand our business. In the event any future laws or regulations are enacted which apply to us, we may have to expend funds and/or alter our operations to insureensure compliance. New legislation or regulation, or the application of existing laws and regulations to the areas related to our business could add additional costs and risks to doing business. In addition, we are subject to regulations applicable to businesses generally and laws and regulations directly applicable to communications over the Internet and access to e-commerce. In addition, it is possible that a number of laws and regulations may be adopted with respect to the Internet and other areas of our business, covering issues such as user privacy, pricing, content, copyrights, distribution, antitrust, taxation and characteristics and quality of products and services.

Since we do Not Intend to Pay Any Cash Dividends on Our Shares of Common Stock, Our Stockholders Will Not be Able to Receive a Return on Their Shares Unless They Sell Them.

We intend to retain any future earnings to finance the development and expansion of our business. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Unless we pay dividends, our stockholders will not be able to receive a return on their shares unless they sell them at a price higher than that which they initially paid for such shares.

We may be Subject to Legal Proceedings that Could be Time Consuming, Result in Costly Litigation, Require Significant Amounts of Management Time and Result in the Diversion of Significant Operational Resources.

We are involved in lawsuits, claims and proceedings incident to the ordinary course of our business. Litigation is inherently unpredictable. Any claims against us, whether meritorious or not, could be time consuming, result in costly arbitration or litigation, require significant amounts of management time and result in the diversion of significant operational resources. Even if we believe that we have meritorious defenses against these actions, and we resolve to vigorously defend against them, the cost of defending against all these types of claims against us or the ultimate resolution of such claims, whether by settlement or adverse court decision, may harm our business and operating results and may be in excess of any amounts previously reserved for legal expenses. In addition, the increasingly regulated business environment and the nature of our products may result in a greater number of enforcement actions and private litigation. This could subject us to increased exposure to stockholder lawsuits. Also, we (and our affiliates) may be subject to attempts to bring legal claims by creditors and other third parties related to the liabilities or potential liabilities, of our former subsidiary, FD, or of igourmet LLC,subsidiaries, or of the liabilities related to any company whose assets we acquired or do business with.

We are a Smaller Reporting Company, and We Cannot be Certain if the Reduced Reporting Requirements Applicable to Smaller Reporting Companies Will Make our Common Stock Less Attractive to Investors.

We are a smaller reporting company, as defined in the Securities Act of 1933.1934. For as long as we continue to be a smaller reporting company, we may take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not smaller reporting companies, including not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, reduced disclosure obligations regarding historical financial statements, executive compensation in our periodic reports, registration statements, and proxy statements and exemptions from the requirements of holding nonbinding advisory votes on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile.

We will remain a smaller reporting company until the beginning of a year in which we had a public float of $250 million held by non-affiliates or revenues below $100 million and a public float below $700 million, in each case as determined as of the last business day of the second quarter of the priorCompany’s fiscal year.

Our Common Stock is Subject to the “Penny Stock” Rules of the SEC and the Trading Market in our Securities is Limited, Which Makes Transactions in Our Stock Cumbersome and May Reduce the Value of an Investment in Our Stock.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted Rule 15g-9 which establishes the definition of a “penny stock,” for the purposes relevant to us, as any equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share or with an exercise price, for warrants or options or conversion price for convertible notes, of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. For any transaction involving a penny stock, unless exempt, the rules require:

●that a broker or dealer approve a person’s account for transactions in penny stocks; and

●the broker or dealer receives from the investor a written agreement to the transaction, setting forth the identity and quantity of the penny stock to be purchased.

In order to approve a person’s account for transactions in penny stocks, the broker or dealer must:

●obtain financial information and investment experience objectives of the person; and

●make a reasonable determination that the transactions in penny stocks are suitable for that person and the person has sufficient knowledge and experience in financial matters to be capable of evaluating the risks of transactions in penny stocks.

The broker or dealer must also deliver, prior to any transaction in a penny stock, a disclosure schedule prescribed by the Commission relating to the penny stock market, which, in highlight form:

●Sets forth the basis on which the broker or dealer made the suitability determination, and

●that the broker or dealer received a signed, written agreement from the investor prior to the transaction.

Disclosure also has to be made about the risks of investing in penny stocks in both public offerings and in secondary trading and about the commissions payable to both the broker-dealer and the registered representative, current quotations for the securities and the rights and remedies available to an investor in cases of fraud in penny stock transactions. Finally, monthly statements have to be sent disclosing recent price information for the penny stock held in the account and information on the limited market in penny stocks.

Generally, brokers may be less willing to execute transactions in securities subject to the “penny stock” rules. This may make it more difficult for investors to dispose of our common stock and cause a decline in the market value of our stock.

ITEM 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

ITEM 1C. Cybersecurity Risk

Our cybersecurity risks include theft of business data, fraud or extortion, lack of access to our information systems, harm to employees, harm to business partners, violation of privacy laws, potential reputational damage, and litigation or other legal risk if a cybersecurity incident were to occur. It is difficult to assign a monetary materiality assessment to these risks or to the impact if we were to sustain a breach of our systems. Our approach is based on the premise that any cybersecurity incident could result in material harm to the Company.

We utilize Information Technology Associates (“ITA”), an outsourced IT provider which has been designated with oversight responsibility for our cybersecurity risks. ITA possesses a deep understanding of our information technology systems, including methods to manage and monitor cybersecurity risks. It also provides active monitoring and risk assessments of cybersecurity threats and communicates such threats to our Company. Low risk threats are communicated to our systems analysts, and high risk threats are first communicated to Bill Bennett (our CEO and director), Brady Smallwood (our COO and director), and Gary Schubert, our CFO, and are then discussed with our board of directors.

We conduct annual assessments of risks posed by cybersecurity threats in conjunction with our insurance renewal cycles. This includes a thorough review of our systems and vulnerabilities. As a result of these assessments, we have implemented tools and practices to proactively monitor our systems and user accounts including, but not limited to, deploying solutions to constantly monitor users accessing systems, implementation of two factor authentication for logins, and improved rules for password maintenance. Additionally, we require our associates to complete cybersecurity awareness training provided by NINJIO.

Like many companies, we make use of cloud-based solutions provided by several large service providers for critical information technology infrastructure such as email and file storage. We do not maintain stand-alone servers for our emails. However, we do maintain a standalone server for our main enterprise resource planning (ERP) program (Great Plains), and we maintain two servers dedicated to processing orders for Artisan Specialty Foods and Food Innovations, Inc. We also maintain a file server that currently houses approximately one terabyte of data. Each of our servers is protected by firewall and two-factor-authentication. Additionally, we take multiple snapshots of our servers several times throughout the day and store encrypted backups of our data both locally and in a cloud server to mitigate loss in the event of any malicious attacks on these resources. In the normal course of our relationships with the providers of our services not controlled in-house, we regularly monitor their message boards and other formal and informal communications channels for signs of breaches of their systems. We also survey available public information for indications that they have suffered a breach of their systems.

ITEM 2. Properties

On March 8, 2013, we purchased a building and property located at 28411 Race Track Road, Bonita Springs, Florida 34135. The property consists of approximately 1.1 acres of land and close to 10,000 square feet of combined office and warehouse space. The purchase price of the property was $770,000 and was financed in part by a five year mortgage in the amount of $546,000. In March 2018, the remaining balance under this mortgage was extended to February 28,May 27, 2023. The company relocated all of its Florida-based office and warehouse facilities into this facility on July 15, 2013. On February 14, 2024, the Company sold this property for a total purchase price of $2,455,000 prior to closing costs; net proceeds from this transaction were approximately $1,900,000.

On January 18, 2024, the Company signed a one-year lease for 1,335 rentable square feet of office space located at 9696 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs, Florida, 34135, and this location became the Company’s primary address. Base rent for the Bonita Beach Road property is $1,891 per month plus approximately $723 in common area maintenance charges.

On May 14, 2015, we purchased a building and property located at 2528 S. 27th Avenue, Broadview, Illinois 60155. The property consists of approximately 1.33 acres of land and approximately 28,711 square feet of combined office and warehouse space. The purchase price of $914,350 was initially financed primarily by a draw-down of $900,000 on the Company’s credit facility with Fifth Third Bank. On May 29, 2015, a permanent financing facility was provided by Fifth Third Bank in the form of a loan in the amount of $980,000. $900,000 of this amount was used to pay the balance of the credit facility; the additional $80,000 was used for refrigeration and other improvements at the property. The interest on the loan is at the LIBORWSJP rate plus 3.0%1.25%. The building is used for office and warehouse space primarily for the Company’s Artisan subsidiary. We have also recently completed an additional property improvement and upgrade buildout at the Artisan building which include a fully functional commercial test kitchen and training center and conference room. The test kitchen and training room will be used by Artisan and other subsidiaries of the Company for the purposes of new product testing, and development and approval, Quality Assurance and Quality Control as well as sales presentations and customer demonstrations. In addition, we recently added a packaging room to the Artisan building, which is built to FDA, FSMA and SQF food safety standards and purchased new, technologically advanced semi-automated fillers for the packaging room. The packaging room addition will allow for expansion of proprietary private label product lines as well as packing of organic, non GMO, diet specific and other specialty foods. The test kitchen, packaging room and additional improvements were financed by a loan from Fifth Third Bank. On June 6, 2022, this loan was transferred to MapleMark Bank.

On November 8, 2019 the Company, through a newly formed wholly-owned subsidiary, purchased a logistics and warehouse facility (the “Facility”) for $4.5 million. The Facility is approximately 200,000 square feet and is situated on approximately 15 acres in Mountain Top, Pennsylvania. The Facility’s appraised value by a third party appraisal firm in 20212022 was $9,400,000.$16,400,000. Related to the Facility purchase, the Company entered into a commercial loan agreement for both the purchase price and planned improvements to the Facility. The amount of the loan was $5,500,000, of which the Company drew down $3,600,000 for the acquisition of the Facility; the lender was Fifth Third Bank and the loan is secured by a mortgage on the property and other Company assets. The interest on the loan is LIBORWSJP rate plus 2.75%1.25%, with interest only payments due through SeptemberJune 30, 2020, thereafter with principal amortized over 20 years and maturity on September 2, 2025.2024. Related to Facility purchase, the Company also acquired certain leases from certain tenants of the Facility, all of which were in good standing at the time of purchase. On June 6, 2022, this loan was transferred to MapleMark Bank.

On October 5, 2020, the Company completed work to upgrade the Facility at a cost of $2,231,458 in order to better support the Company’s focus on e-commerce and logistics.

ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings

On September 16, 2019, an action (the “PA Action”) was filed in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County, Trial Division, against, among others, the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Innovative Gourmet LLCigourmet and Food Innovations, Inc. Since that time, other parties involved in the incident have joined as plaintiffs in the PA Action. The complaint in the PA Action alleges, inter alia, wrongful death and negligence by a driver employed by Innovative Gourmetigourmet and indicates a demand and offer to settle for fifty million dollars. We expect that shouldOn January 5, 2024, all parties to the PA Action came to an agreement at Mediation on the material terms of settlement and on January 22, 2024, a settlement occurwas agreed upon in an action filed in the amount to resolveCourt of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County, Trial Division against, among others, the Action would be substantially lower.Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, igourmet and Food Innovations, Inc. On Monday, January 29, 2024, the Company received a settlement and release agreement from certain plaintiffs in the PA Action. The Company and its subsidiaries had auto and umbrellaresolved all liabilities within the coverages of their insurance policies, among others, that were in effect for the relevant period. While the initial response from the relevant insurance companies has been to provide coverage only under an auto policy (which has been fully tendered) and umbrella policy that covers one of the Company’s subsidiaries, we intend to further aggressively pursue the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ insurance coverage under their umbrella and other available policies. The Company has brought an action for declaratory judgement against one of the insurance companies under which it had an umbrella policy so that the court can compel it to provide liability coverage. In addition, the Company has been defending this action and believes that the likely outcome would result in the liabilities being covered by its insurance carriers. However, if the Company was found responsible for damages in excess of its available insurance coverage, such damages in excess of the coverage could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations. On July 16, 2020, the court granted the Company's motion to stay the case through the final adjudication of an additional pending legal proceeding against the driver in connection with the events related to the case. It is not anticipated that the Company and its subsidiaries will be a party to any other legal proceedings in connection with this matter.

From time to time, the Company has become and may become involved in certain lawsuits and legal proceedings which arise in the ordinary course of business, or as the result of current or previous investments, or current or previous subsidiaries, or current or previous employees, or current or previous directors, or as a result of acquisitions and dispositions or other corporate activities. The Company intends to vigorously defend its positions. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and an adverse result in these or other matters may arise from time to time that may harm our financial position or our business, and the outcome of these matters cannot be ultimately predicted.

ITEM 4. Mine Safety Disclosure

Not Applicable.

PART II

ITEM 5. Market For Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Market Information

Prices for our common stock are quoted on the OTCQB. Since March 2004, our common stock has traded under the symbol “IVFH”. Prior thereto, our common stock traded under the symbol “FBSN”. 35,371,480At March 17, 2024, there were 49,714,929 shares of our common stock were outstanding as of April 15, 2021.outstanding.

Security Holders

On April 15, 2021,March 17, 2024, there were approximately 5659 record holders of our common stock. In addition, we believe there are at least several hundred additional beneficial owners of our common stock whose shares are held in “street name.”

Dividends

We have not paid dividends during the three most recently completed fiscal years and have no current plans to pay dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain all earnings, if any, for use in our business.

Recent Sales and Other Issuances of Our Equity Securities

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company had the following equity related, nonregistered transactions:

On January 29, 2020,February 1, 2023, the Company issued 38,943875,000 shares of common stock to its previous CEO and a board member in connection with a fair value of $17,135 to an employee as a bonus.

On January 10, 2020, the Company issued 2,381his compensation agreement. These shares of common stock with a fair value of $1,119 to a service provider as payment for services.

On February 3, 2021, the Company issued an additional 2,381 shares of common stock with a fair value of $1,167 to a service provider as payment for services.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Companywere previously accrued the amount of $276,387 representing 775,748 shares of common stock issuable at an average price of $0.356$0.22 per share.

On February 28, 2023, the Company issued a total of 267,030 shares of common stock at a price of $0.42 per share to three employees as compensation.

On April 26, 2023, the Company issued 400,000 shares of common stock to its Chief Executive Officerprevious CEO and a board member pursuant to a separation agreement. These shares were previously accrued at a price of $0.42 per share.

On July 7, 2023, the Company issued 178,626 shares to its previous CEO pursuant to his compensation agreement.plan. These shares were previously accrued at a price of $0.23 per share. This issuance did not increase the number of shares outstanding.

During the year ended DecemberOn August 31, 2020,2023, the Company issued 14,754 shares to its previous Director of Strategic Acquisitions pursuant to his compensation plan. These shares were previously accrued at a price of $0.23 per share. This issuance did not increase the amountnumber of $17,116 representing 38,892 shares outstanding.

On September 6, 2023, the Company issued an aggregate of common stock issuable459,211 shares to two board members pursuant to their compensation plan. These shares were previously accrued at an averagea price of $0.23 per share. This issuance did not increase the number of shares outstanding.

On September 6, 2023, the Company issued 320 shares to a previous employee as a bonus. These shares were previously accrued at a price of $0.44 per shareshares. This issuance did not increase the number of shares outstanding.

On October 2, 2023, 30,000 shares were issued to a service provider. These shares were previously accrued at a price of $1.30 per share. This issuance did not increase the number of shares outstanding.

On November 7, 2023, the Company issued 678,302 shares, net of 265,229 shares withheld for taxes, at a price of $0.59 per shares to its Chief Strategy OfficerCEO pursuant to his compensation agreement.plan.

During the year endedOn December 31, 2020,30, 2023, the Company accruedissued an aggregate of 57,560 shares were issued to two board members, its previous CEO, and its previous Director of Strategic Acquisitions for the amountcashless exercise of $35,000360,000 stock options at a price of $0.62 per share.

On February 15, 2024, 150,000 shares were issued to eacha previous board member for options previously exercised at a price of two directors (a total$0.44 per shares. The issuance of $70,000) representing 69,928these shares was previously accrued. This issuance did not increase the number of common stock issuance to each director (a total of 139,856 shares) pursuant to their service agreements.shares outstanding.

All of the issuances described above were exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 for the following reasons: (1) none of the issuances involved a public offering or public advertising for the payment of any commissions or fees; (2) the issuances to investors were to “accredited investors”; (3) the issuances upon conversion of notes were for notes held at least 12 months and did not involve the payment of any other consideration; and (4) all issuances to affiliates and to non-affiliates holding the securities for less than six months carried restrictive legends.

Dilutive Securities

December 31, 20202023

The following table summarizes the options outstanding and the related prices for the options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock issued by the Company as ofat December 31, 2020: 2023:

December 31, 20192022

The following table summarizes the options outstanding and the related prices for the options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock issued by the Company as ofat December 31, 2019: 2022:

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

As of December 31, 2020,2023, the following shares are issuable pursuant to outstanding stock options, warrants, and rights issued under the 2011 Stock Option Plan:

ITEM 6. [Reserved]

ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data

Not Applicable. 

ITEM 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto, as well as all other related notes, and financial and operational references, appearing elsewhere in this document.

Certain information contained in this discussion and elsewhere in this report may include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and is subject to the safe harbor created by that act. The safe harbor created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act will not apply to certain “forward looking statements” because we issued “penny stock” (as defined in Section 3(a)(51) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 3(a)(51-1) under the Exchange Act) during the three year period preceding the date(s) on which those forward looking statements were first made, except to the extent otherwise specifically provided by rule, regulation or order of the Securities and Exchange Commission. We caution readers that certain important factors may affect our actual results and could cause such results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements which may be deemed to have been made in this Report or which are otherwise made by or on our behalf. For this purpose, any statements contained in this report that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “believe”, “explore”, “consider”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “could”, “estimate”, “plan”, “propose” or “continue” or the negative variations of those words or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Factors that may affect our results include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties associated with:

We are also subject to other risks detailed from time to time in our other filings with Securities and Exchange Commissionthe SEC and elsewhere in this report. Any one or more of these uncertainties, risks and other influences could materially affect our results of operations and whether forward-looking statements made by us ultimately prove to be accurate. Our actual results, performance and achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether from new information, future events or otherwise.

Critical Accounting Policy and Estimates

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. These estimates include certain assumptions related to, among others, doubtful accounts receivable, valuation of stock-based services, valuationoperating right of financial instruments,use assets and liabilities, and income taxes. On an on-going basis, we evaluate these estimates, including those related to revenue recognition and concentration of credit risk. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Accounts subject to estimate and judgements are accounts receivable reserves, income taxes, intangible assets, contingent liabilities, and equity basedequity-based instruments. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe our estimates have not been materially inaccurate in past years, and our assumptions are not likely to change in the foreseeable future.

(a) Warrants:

There were no warrants outstanding at December 31, 20202023 and 2019.2022.

(b) Embedded conversion features of notes payable:

There were no outstanding convertible notes outstanding at December 31, 20202023 and 2019:2022:

(c) Stock options:

The Company accounts for options in accordance with FASB ASC 718-40. Options are valued upon issuance utilizing the Black-Scholes valuation model. Option expense is recognized over the requisite service period of the related option award. The following table illustrates certain key information regarding our options and option assumptions at December 31, 20202023 and 2019:2022:

Provision for Doubtful Accounts Receivable

The Company maintained an allowance in the amount of $343,832$46,477 and $340,225 for doubtful accounts receivable at December 31, 2020,2023 and $95,284 at December 31, 2019.2022, respectively. The Company has an operational relationship of several years with our major customers, and we believe this experience provides us with a solid foundation from which to estimate our expected losses on accounts receivable. Should our sales mix change or if we develop new lines of business or new customers, these estimates and our estimation process will change accordingly. These estimates have been accurate in the past.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company measures its financial assets and liabilities in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The estimated fair values approximate their carrying value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments or the stated interest rates are indicative of market interest rates. These fair values have historically varied due to the market price of the Company’s stock at the date of valuation.

Income Taxes

The Company has a historyuses the liability method of losses, and as such has recorded no liabilityaccounting for income taxes. Until such time asDeferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the Company beginsfuture tax consequences attributable to providefinancial statements carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. The measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities is based on provisions of applicable tax law. The measurement of deferred tax assets is reduced, if necessary, by a valuation allowance based on the amount of tax benefits that, based on available evidence, that a continued profit is a reasonable expectation, management will not determine that there is a basis for accruing an income tax liability. These estimates have been accurate in the past.expected to be realized. At December 31, 2020,2023, the Company has a net operating loss carryforward of approximately $11,473,000.$5,104,000.

Leases

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating lease right-of-use assets (“ROU assets”) and short-term and long-term lease liabilities are included on the face of the condensed consolidated balance sheet. Finance lease ROU assets are presented within other assets, and finance lease liabilities are presented within accrued liabilities.

ROU assets represent the right of use to an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The operating lease ROU asset also excludes lease incentives. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, which are accounted for as a single lease component. For lease agreements with terms less than 12 months, the Company has elected the short-term lease measurement and recognition exemption, and it recognizes such lease payments on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Background

We were initially formed in June 1979 as Alpha Solarco Inc., a Colorado corporation. From June 1979 through February 2003, we were either inactive or involved in discontinued business ventures. We changed our name to Fiber Application Systems Technology, Ltd in February 2003. In January 2004, we changed our state of incorporation by merging into Innovative Food Holdings, Inc. (IVFH)(“IVFH”), a Florida corporation formed for that purpose. As a result of the merger, we changed our name to that of Innovative Food Holdings, Inc. In January 2004, we also acquired Food Innovations, Inc. (“FII” or “Food Innovations”), a Delaware corporation, for 500,000 shares of our common stock.

On November 2, 2012, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement (the “Haley Acquisition”) with The Haley Group, LLC whereby we acquired all existing assets of The Haley Group, LLC and its customers. The Haley Acquisition was valued at a total cost of $119,645.  On June 30, 2014, pursuant to a purchase agreement, the Company purchased 100% of the membership interest of Organic Food Brokers, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company (“OFB”), for $300,000, 100,000 four year options at a price of $1.46 per share, and up to an additional $225,000 in earn-outs if certain milestones are met. Pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of January 1, 2017 the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Oasis Sales Corp. (“Oasis”), purchased substantially all of the assets of Oasis Sales and Marketing, L.L.C. for $300,000 cash; a $200,000 structured equity instrument which can be paid in cash or shares of the Company stock at the Company’s option, anytime under certain conditions, or is automatically payable via the issuance of 200,000 shares if the Company’s shares close above $1.00 for ten consecutive days; a $100,000 note;  and up to an additional $400,000 in earn-outs over two years if certain milestones are met. The Agreement also contains claw-back provisions if certain revenue conditions are not met.

On August 15, 2014, pursuant to a merger agreement, the Company acquired The Fresh Diet, Inc. (“FD”).  Effective February 23, 2016, the Company closed a transaction to sell 90% of our ownership in FD for consideration consisting primarily of a restructuring of our loans, which includes the ability to convert to additional amounts of FD under certain circumstances. There is no continuing cash inflows or outflows from or to the discontinued operations. 

Effective January 24, 2018, pursuant to an asset acquisition agreement (the “igourmet Asset Acquisition Agreement”), our wholly-owned subsidiary, Innovative Gourmet, LLC acquired substantially all of the assets and certain liabilities of igourmet LLC and igourmet NY LLC, privately-held New York limited liability companies located in West Pittston, Pennsylvania  and engaged in the sale, marketing, and distribution of specialty food and specialty food items through www.igourmet.com, online marketplaces, additional  direct-to-consumer platforms, distribution to foodservice, retail stores and other wholesale accounts, pursuant to the terms of an Asset Purchase Agreement. The consideration for and in connection with the acquisition consisted of:  (i) $1,500,000, which satisfied or reduced secured, priority and administrative debt of Sellers; (ii) in connection with and prior to the acquisition, our wholly-owned subsidiary, Food Funding, LLC (“Food Funding”), funded advances of $325,000 to Sellers on a secured basis, pursuant to certain loan documents and as bridge loans, which loans  were reduced by the proceeds of the Asset Purchase Agreement; (iii) the purchase for $200,000 of certain debt owed by Sellers, to be paid out of, if  available, Innovative Gourmet’s cash flow; (iv) potential contingent liability allocation for a percentage of Sellers’ approximately $2,300,000 of certain debt, not purchased or assumed by Innovative Gourmet, which  under certain circumstances, Innovative Gourmet may determine to pay; and (v) additional purchase price consideration of (a) up to a maximum of $1,500,000, if EBITDA of Innovative Gourmet reaches $800,00 in 2018, (b) up to a maximum of $1,750,000, if EBITDA of Innovative Gourmet in 2019 exceeds its EBITDA in 2018 by at least 20% and if its EBITDA reaches $5,000,000; and (c) up to a maximum of $2,125,000, if EBITDA of Innovative Gourmet in 2020 exceeds its EBITDA in 2019 by at least 20% and if its EBITDA reaches $8,000,000. The EBITDA based earnout shall be paid 37.5% in cash, 25% in IVFH shares valued at the time of the closing of this transaction and 37.5%, at Innovative Gourmet’s option, in IVFH shares valued  at the time of the payment of the earnout or in cash. The 2018, 2019 and 2020 earnout milestones were not met. In connection with the acquisition, our wholly-owned subsidiary, Food Funding, purchased Seller’s senior secured note at a price of approximately $1,187,000, pursuant to the terms of a Loan Sale Agreement with UPS Capital Business Credit.  That note was reduced by the proceeds of the Asset Purchase Agreement.  See Item (i) above.

Effective July 6, 2018, pursuant to an asset purchase agreement between Mouth Foods, Inc. (“Mouth”) and our wholly-owned subsidiary M Innovations LLC (“M Innovations”)(the “MFI APA”), the Company acquired certain assets of Mouth from MFI (assignment for the benefit of creditors), LLC, in connection with a Delaware assignment proceeding. The MFI APA was accounted for as an acquisition of an ongoing business where the Company was treated as the acquirer and the acquired assets and assumed liabilities were recorded by the Company at their preliminary estimated fair values. Mouth, a privately held New York company operating out of Brooklyn, was an expert curator and online retailer of high quality specialty foods from small-batch makers in the US.

The consideration for and in connection with the acquisition consisted of (i) closing related cash payments of $208,355; (ii) additional revenue-based contingent liabilities valued by management at $100,000 related to certain future sales of purchased assets payable under the following terms: payment of 5% of certain revenues, with no payments on the first $500,000 of revenues and no payments on revenues after June 30, 2020;  (iii) additional revenue based contingent liabilities of up to $185,000 associated with the purchase of certain debt of the seller; and (iv) additional contingent liability consideration valued by management at approximately $20,000.

Effective July 23, 2019, P Innovations acquired certain assets of GBC Sub, Inc. (d/b/a The GiftBox) (“GiftBox”) (the “GiftBox Asset Purchase Agreement”). GiftBox, a privately held Nevada corporation controlled by David Polinsky, a director of the Company, was in the business of subscription-based ecommerce. The consideration for the assets purchased was a nominal amount of cash. The GiftBox Asset Purchase Agreement also provides the sellers the option to acquire 30% of P Innovations subject to dilution for a period of thirty-six months following the date of the Giftbox Asset Purchase Agreement; the option will only be exercisable if there is a spinoff of P Innovations to Innovative Food Holdings shareholders.

Transactions With a Major Customer

Transactions with a major customer and related economic dependence information is set forth (1) following our discussion of Liquidity and Capital Resources, (2) under the heading Major Customer in Note 1920 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and (3) in Business – Relationship with U.S. Foods, and (4) as the second item under Risk Factors.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This discussion may contain forward looking-statementslooking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our future results could differ materially from the forward looking-statementslooking statements discussed in this report. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements, the notes thereto and other financial information included elsewhere in the report.

Year Ended December 31, 20202023 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 20192022

Revenue

Revenue decreased by $6,226,938$6,685,179 or approximately 10.8%8% to $51,676,028$72,218,996 for the year ended December 31, 20202023 from $57,902,966$78,904,175 in the prior year. TheOur decrease in revenuerevenues is primarily attributableattributed to two major factors. First, one of our largest customers implemented a decrease in specialty foodservice revenues which was driven bysales platform change affecting the nationwide closures of restaurants and other foodservice establishments related to COVID-19. The decline in specialty foodservice was partially offset with revenues increases mainly associated with e-commerce. The increases in e-commerce revenues were driven by the Company’scustomers’ ability to increase sales at its e-commerce propertiesfind and convert significant shifts in e-commerce specialty food, supermarket trends,purchase the IVFH products they were used to purchasing. Second, as a result of executing phase one of our outlined three phased strategy, a conscious decision was made to scale back our direct-to-consumer eCommerce businesses which included a reduction of dedicated resources and e-commerce grocery trends, driven initially by the COVID-19 pandemic, into e-commercemarketing spend required to support such revenues.

We continue to assess the potential of new revenue sources from the manufacture and sale of proprietary food products, private label products and additional sales channel opportunities in both the foodservice and consumer space and will implement a strategy which based on our analysis provides the most beneficial opportunity for growth.

Any changes in the food distribution and specialty foods operating landscape that materially hinders our current ability and/or cost to deliver our products to our customers could potentially cause a material impact on our net revenue and gross margin and, therefore, our profitability and cash flows could be adversely affected.

Currently, a small portion of our revenues comes from imported products or international sales. Our current sales from such markets may be hampered and negatively impacted by any economic tariffs that may be imposed in the United States or in foreign countries.

See “Transactions with Major Customers” and the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) mandated FR-60 disclosures following the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section for a further discussion of the significant customer concentrations, loss of significant customer, critical accounting policies and estimates, and other factors that could affect future results.

Cost of goods sold

Our cost of goods sold for the year ended December 31, 20202023 was $37,859,500,$54,693,359, a decrease of $3,395,576$6,684,025 or approximately 8.2%11% compared to cost of goods sold of $41,255,076$61,377,384 for the year ended December 31, 2019.2022. Cost of goods sold was made up of the following expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020:2023: cost of goods of specialty, meat, game, cheese, seafood, poultry and other sales categories in the amount of $24,092,859;$39,512,072; shipping, delivery, handling, and purchase allowance expenses in the amount of $13,072,457;$14,595,564; and cost of goods associated with logistics of $694,184. Total gross margin was approximately 27%$585,723. Gross margins as a percentage of sales in 2020improved during the current period to 24.3% compared to approximately 29% of sales in 2019.  The decrease in gross margins from 2019 is primarily attributable to variation in22.2% during the comparable period, as we continued implementing improved cost controls, better managed pricing, and focused more on product and revenue mix across our various selling channels including a decrease in higher gross margin revenues associated with National Brand Management and lower gross margins associated with foodservice revenues including revenue and margin variations driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. mix.

In 2020,2024, we continuedwill continue to price our products in order to increase sales, gain market share and increase the number of our end users and ecommerce customers. We currently expect, if market conditions, overall economic conditions, and our product revenue mix remain constant, that our cost of goods sold may increase and our gross margin decrease. may result in a decrease in profit margin.

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

Selling, general, and administrative expenses increaseddecreased by $3,067,690$943,152 or approximately 18.6%5% to $19,531,818$17,389,351 during the year ended December 31, 20202023 compared to $16,464,128$18,332,503 for the year ended December 31, 2019.2022. The increasedecrease in selling, general, and administrative expenses was primarily due to an increasea decrease in advertising and digital marketing costs of $1,370,345, increases in payroll and related costs of approximately $1,386,169 (net of an increase in non-cash compensation in the amount of $111,258), an increase$1,157,945; a decrease in IToffice, facilities, and vehicles cost of $461,559; a decrease in computer and IT costs of $210,456, an increase in insurance costs of $176,485 an increase$101,761; and a decrease in banking and credit card fees of $272,364,$80,665. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in payroll and related costs in the amount of $618,090, including an increase of $83,545 in non-cash compensation; an increase in insurance costs of $90,369; an increase in bad debt expense of $218,862, , an increase in office, facilities, and vehicles costs $133,842, and$75,211; an increase in taxes of $98,290. These increases were partially offset by a$43,333; and an increase in professional and legal fees of $42,253. The decrease in amortizationsales, general, and depreciation of $530,157 and a decrease in professional fees of $25,048. The increases were driven mainly by additional costs including increases in costs including warehouse fulfillment costs associated with COVID-19, increased costs associated with additional personnel mainly related to warehouse operations, overall employee costs and insurance costs, increased legal, accounting, facility and IT costs including costs associated withadministrative expenses represent the planned launch of new websites, and increased advertising associated with increased spending in digital marketing related to certain of the Company’s e-commerce websites. 

Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets

During the year-ended December 31, 2020, the Company performed impairment testsresults of our goodwilloverall cost-cutting efforts as well as the restructuring of our marketing and intangible assets that incorporated the use of a discounted cash flow model that involves many management assumptions that are based upon future growth projections which include estimates of COVID-19’s impact on our business. Assumptions include estimates of future revenues, growth rates which take into account estimated inflation rates, estimates of future levels of gross profit and operating profit, projected capital expenditures and discount rates based upon industry and competitor analyses. As a result of impairment tests, the Company was required by applicable accounting rules to record an impairment of goodwill and intangible assets in the aggregate amount of $1,698,952. At December 31, 2020, the net carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets on the Company’s balance sheet is $1,633,202.  There was no such comparable charge during the prior period.advertising programs.

Other leasing income

On November 8, 2019 the Company purchased a logistics and warehouse facility located in Mountain Top, Pennsylvania. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recognized revenue in the amount of $43,810 in connection with the lease of space in this facility compared to $3,125 during the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase was due to the Company recognizing a full year of activity during 2020 compared to the period from November 8, 2019 to December 31, 2019 during the prior year.  Separation costs – executive officers

Gain on settlement of contingent liabilities

During the year ended December 31, 2019,2023, the Company recordedentered into the following separation agreements: (i) a gain on settlementseparation agreement with its Prior CEO and current board member with a total cost of contingent liabilities$1,819,199 consisting of cash payments of $250,000, a non-interest bearing note payable to Mr. Klepfish in the amount of $132,300 in connection$1,000,000, $1,199 of Cobra health insurance payments, and stock grants with potential additional consideration undera value of $568,000; (ii) a separation agreement with its prior Director of Strategic Acquisitions and prior board member with a total cost of $126,451 consisting of cash payments of $100,000 and $26,451 of Cobra health insurance payments; (iii) a separation agreement with its prior CFO with a total cost of $128,413 consisting of cash payments of $113,918 and $14,495 of Cobra health insurance payments. The aggregate separation costs for the igourmet Asset Purchase Agreement. Thereyear ended December 31, 2023 was $2,074,063; there were no comparable transactionsuch costs during the currentprior year.

Gain on disposalImpairment of fixedintangible assets

During the year ended December 31, 2020,2023, the Company recorded a gain on the salean impairment of warehouse equipmentintangible assets in the amount of $7,984, compared$1,315,822 consisting of impairment charges in the amount of $1,055,400 and $260,422 against the tradenames held by igourmet and Mouth, respectively. Due to a gain on saleour strategic decision to allocate fewer resources to our direct-to-consumer business, the determination was made that the cost of equipment of $12,495 during the prior period. This type of transaction occurs infrequently.these assets was unlikely to be recovered.

Interest expense, net

Interest expense, net of interest income, increased by $193,661$289,167 or approximately 177.8%49% to $302,576$876,452 during the year ended December 31, 2020,2023, compared to $108,915$587,285 during the year ended December 31, 2019.2022. The increase was due primarily to an increase in interest accrued or paid on the Company’s commercial loans and notes payable in the amount of $182,640$404,186 due to higher interest rates and higher loan balances. The increase in interest expense was partially offset by a decrease in the amortization of loan fees in the amount of $112,463, from $114,257$115,760 in the prior year to $3,297 during the current year. In addition, interest income increased by $2,556, from $6,480 in the prior year to $9,036 in the current year.

Loss on sale of subsidiaries

On December 29, 2023, the Company sold 100% of their equity interests in Organic Food Brokers, LLC and Oasis Sales Corp. to a single buyer for a purchase price of $75,000. The Company recorded a loss in the amount of $45,022 on this transaction. There were no comparable transactions in the prior year.

Other income

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recognized other income in the amount of $14,925 from the sale of a subscription based D2C revenue stream. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recognized other income in the amount of $294,000 in connection with the termination of the interest rate swap.

Gain on sales of assets

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recognized a gain in the amount of $9,360 in connection with the sale of a vehicle. There was no comparable transaction in the prior year.

Other leasing income

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recognized income in the amount of $7,600 in connection with the lease of space in our Mountaintop warehouse facility, a decrease of $3,626 or approximately 32% compared to $11,226 during the year ended December 31, 2019 to $296,897 during2022.

Gain on contingent liabilities

During the year ended December 31, 2020. The2022, the Company also recorded interest expensea total of $295,600 in gains on contingent liabilities. This was composed of two contingent liabilities recorded in connection with the amortization of prepaid loan feesigourmet acquisition on January 24, 2018, with a total remaining balance in the amount of $12,560 during$175,600; and two contingent liabilities recorded in connection with the Mouth acquisition on July 6, 2018, with a total remaining balance in the amount of $120,000. In each instance, the contingent event was not met, and the payment period has passed; accordingly, the Company has reversed these liabilities. There were no comparable transactions in the current year.

Impairment of Investment

During the year ended December 31, 2020 compared2022, we made the determination that our investments in seven food-related companies were unlikely to $1,819 duringbe recovered, and we recorded an impairment on these investments in the prior period, an increaseaggregate amount of $10,741. Interest income was $6,831 during$286,725. There were no comparable transactions in the current year.

Loss on extinguishment of debt

During the year ended December 31, 2020,2022, we entered into a decreaserevolving line of $330 comparedcredit agreement and two term loan agreements with MapleMark Bank, replacing our revolving line of credit and term loans with Fifth Third Bank. We wrote off the existing discounts to interestthe Fifth Third Bank loans in the amount of $40,556 resulting in a loss on extinguishment of debt. There was no comparable transaction during the current year.

Income tax expense

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company paid federal income taxes in the amount of $7,161$15,834 in connection with an audit of the year ended December 31, 2017. There was no such charge during the prior year.period.

Net (loss) incomeloss from continuing operations

For the reasons above, the Company had a net loss from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 20202023 of $7,665,024$4,159,022, an increase of $3,039,570 or approximately $271% compared to a net incomeloss from continuing operations of $222,767$1,119,452 during the year ended December 31, 2019.2022. The loss for the year ended December 31, 20202023 includes a net total of $3,159,751$2,355,220 in non-cash charges, including charges for non-cash compensation in the amount of $405,503; depreciation expense of $526,274; impairment of intangible assets in amount of $1,698,952;$1,315,822; amortization of prepaid loan fees of $3,297; amortization of intangible assets in the amount of $212,902; depreciation expense$30,994; and provision for doubtful accounts of $491,039;$73,330 The loss for the year ended December 31, 2022 includes a total of $1,580,162 in non-cash charges, including charges for non-cash compensation in the amount of $525,436; and$576,964; depreciation expense of $520,848; impairment of investment of $286,725; provision for doubtful accounts of $(1,915); amortization of prepaid loan fees of $12,560. The income for the year ended December 31, 2019 includes a total$115,760; loss on extinguishment of $1,650,096 in non-cash charges, includingdebt of $40,556, and amortization of intangible assets in the amount of $899,757, depreciation expense of $334,342, charges for non-cash compensation$41,224.

Net loss from discontinued operations

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company had a net loss from discontinued operations in the amount of $414,178, and amortization$196,130, a decrease in the amount of prepaid loan fees$34,420 or approximately 15% compared to a net loss from discontinue operations in the amount of $1,819.$230,550 during the prior year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources at December 31, 20202023

As of December 31, 2020,2023, the Company had current assets of $11,446,921,$13,641,149, consisting of cash and cash equivalents of $5,060,015;$5,327,016; trade accounts, net receivable of $2,380,305;$4,307,726; inventory of $3,719,786; and$2,973,134; other current assets of $286,815.$287,528; assets held for sale of $649,884, and current assets of discontinued operations of $95,861. Also at December 31, 2020,2023, the Company had current liabilities of $12,207,022,$8,640,993, consisting of trade payables and accrued liabilities of $5,098,523,$6,252,951; accrued separation costs, related parties of $463,911; accrued interest of $28,873,$95,942, deferred revenue of $2,917,676, line$1,312,837, stock appreciation rights liability of credit of $2,000,000,$255,020; current portion of notes payable (net of discount) of $1,741,571,$121,041, current portion of operating leaseslease liability of $87,375,$17,131, current portion of financing leaseslease liability of $146,004,$115,738; and current portion of contingent liabilities of $187,000.discontinued operations of $6,422.

During the year ended December 31, 2020,2023, the Company had cash used in operating activities of $1,759,883.$435,562. Cash flow used in operations consisted of the Company’s consolidated net loss of $7,665,024 subtracted by$4,355,152 less impairment of intangible assets of $1,698,952,$1,315,822; depreciation and amortization of $703,941, non-cash$557,268; stock-based compensation in the amount of $525,436, amortization$405,503; value of right-of-use assetsstock appreciation rights of $161,926,$255,020; provision for inventory of $189,582; provision for doubtful accounts of $254,899, and$73,330; amortization of prepaid loan fees in the amountright of $12,560. These amounts were partially offset by ause asset of $51,756; loss on sale of subsidiaries of $45,022; amortization of discount on notes payable of $3,297; and gain on the disposition of fixed assets inof $(9,360). In addition, the amount of $7,984. The Company’s cash position increased by $2,555,411$1,032,350 as a result of changes in the components of current assets and current liabilities.

The Company had cash used in investing activities of $450,387$36,332 for the year ended December 31, 2020,2023, which consisted of cash paid for the acquisition of property and equipment in the amount of $431,137,$122,403, partially offset by cash received from the sale of subsidiaries of $75,000 and cash paid forreceived from the acquisitionsale of intangible assets in the amount of $19,250.$11,071.

The Company had cash provided by financing activities of $3,304,235$994,831 for the year ended December 31, 2020,2023, which consisted of proceeds for acash received from notes payable, net in the amount of $3,285,588; partially offset by principal payments on the line of credit in the amount of $2,000,000 and proceeds from a PPP loan in the amount of $1,650,221; these amounts were partially offset by$2,014,333; principal payments on loans and notes payable in the amountdebt of $278,668$187,611; and principal payments on financing leases in the amount of $67,318. The Company currently anticipates that up to 100% of this PPP loan will be eligible for government forgiveness under the PPP program, although there is no assurance of such eligibility.$88,813.

The Company had net working capital deficit of $760,101$5,000,156 as of December 31, 2020.2023. The Company had cash used in operationsoperating activities during the year ended December 31, 20202023 in the amount of $1,759,883. This compares$435,562, compared to cash generated from operating activities of $1,594,647$599,086 during the year ended December 31, 2019.2022. The Company intends to continue to focus on increasing market share and cash flow from operations by focusing its sales activities on specific market segments and new product lines.lines and improving operating efficiencies. Currently, we do not have any material long-term obligations other than those described in Notes 12, 13 andNote 14 to the financial statements included in this report. As we seek to increase our sales of new items and enter new markets, acquire new businesses as well as identify new food oriented products and services, we may use existing cash reserves, long-term financing, or other means to finance such diversification, although no assurance can be given that such growth will occur.

The Company intends to continue to focus on increasing market share and cash flow from operations by focusing its sales activities on specific market segments and new product lines. As we seek to increase our sales of new items and enter new markets, acquire new businesses as well as identify new and other consumer and food service oriented products and services, we may use existing cash reserves, long-term financing, or other means to finance such diversification.

If the Company’s cash flow from operations is insufficient to fully implement its business plan disclosed below, the Company may require additional financing in order to execute its operating plan. The Company cannot predict whether this additional financing will be in the form of equity or debt, or be in another form. The Company may not be able to obtain the necessary additional capital on a timely basis, on acceptable terms, or at all.

In any of these events, the Company may be unable to implement its current plans for expansion, repay its debt obligations as they become due or respond to competitive pressures, any of which circumstances would have a material adverse effect on its business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

20212024 Plans

As 2020 begandiscussed in our earnings calls and press releases over the past year, we put togetherare dividing our journey into three distinct phases: 1) Stabilization, 2) Laying the Foundation for Growth, and 3) Build and Scale.

Our first phase is focused on the stabilization of our business. We need to build a plan whichtrack record of consistently delivering a profitable business model and positive cash flow. This is why we’ve been focused so heavily on right sizing our margins, expenses, and uses of cash. During this phase we have been clear that we expected revenues to trydecline as we worked through some revenue headwinds at one key customer, and exited unprofitable or non-core businesses, helping us focus the business on the core, profitable Professional Chef business. We expect to implementreturn to revenue growth by the back half of 2024 as we complete the stabilization phase.

We’re calling our second phase “Laying the Foundation for Growth,” which will entail considering making several strategic investments to build a next generation business model. Our goal will be to design a best-in-class value proposition that serves our customers in 2020. Those plansa differentiated way, and transparently demonstrates the profitable business model we expect to build. We anticipate this phase will last 12-18 months. Our growth focus during this phase falls into three buckets: 1) growing our business with existing customers with a more structured sales team with appropriate incentives, expanding our assortment of products with a much higher focus on fresh categories, and working to lower prices through improved sourcing and negotiation tactics; 2) establishing relationships with new customers to prove out the broader appeal of our value proposition, and de-risk our customer concentration; and 3) launching or buying entirely new sales channels which serve incremental customers and market share opportunities.

Then we’ll move to phase three, which we’re calling: “Build and Scale.” By this point, we will have a clear view of where we’re headed, and the outsized benefits of getting there. This measured approach to growth will ensure we only scale business models we can prove will drive accretive growth for the company.

As we move through these three phases, we believe that there are describedlateral opportunities in the paragraphs below. However, infood industry and related markets. We may consider the interim period since those plans were prepared, as described above in “Business – Growth Strategy”, “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Report, in 2020possibility of acquiring specialty food manufacturers, specialty food distributors, or specialty food brands. We anticipate that any acquisition could potentially involve the world has been in the gripissuance of a pandemic which has wreaked havoc on economies world-wide, including in the U.S., which is our primary market. As a result of the pandemic, restaurants, hotels, country clubs, casinos, catering houses and otheradditional shares of our primary customers have either been closed completelycommon stock or are only partially open with significantly reduced operations. Accordingly, Foodservice revenues,third party financing, which historically have been a significant overall portion of our revenues have been significantly reduced as most foodservice establishments cross the United States closed or had limited operations. As a result, Foodservice revenue commencing in the second half of March 2020 and continuing throughout the year experienced unprecedented declines.

Conversely, we have experienced significant growth in our on-line e-commerce revenues as overall e-commerce grew and as demand for food products continued across the United States. Accordingly, we have focused our resourcesmay not be available on meeting the growth of e-commerce revenues. While the percentage increase in e-commerce revenues was strong, the additional e-commerce revenues did not exceed the decrease in foodservice revenues commencing in the second half of March 2020 and continuing throughout the year and overall revenues and profits declined for that time frame.

In April 2020 we applied for and received a loan of approximately $1.6 million under a program established under a recent congressionally approved program which is administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration. In 2021 we applied for and received $1,748,414 in new loans under a similar government program administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration. In addition, between the government loans, the potential forgiveness of the government loans, cash on hand and our current expectations of incoming revenues, we believe we have sufficient resources to continue operating for at least the next 12 months. However, as we cannot predict at this time when quarantines, curfews, stay in place orders, and closures of non-essential businessesacceptable terms. No acquisition will end and general economic activity will resume, we cannot predict when our business will return to its pre-pandemic norms and the amount of economic stress we would experience. While we intend to continue to focus on executing on our strategic growth plans, given the current economic conditions, we are not able to determine the exact timeframe in 2021, if at all, that we can then again consider fully implementing portions of the plans described below.      

During 2021, we plan to attempt to expand our business by expanding our focus to additional specialty foods markets. In addition, we will continue exploring potential acquisition and partnership opportunities and continue to extend our focus in the specialty food market through the growth of the Company’s existing sales channels and through a variety of additional potential sales channel relationships. In addition, we are currently exploring the introduction of, or have introduced into the market, a variety of new product categories and new product lines, including private label products and proprietary branded products to leverage our existing foodservice and consumer customer base.

Furthermore, the Company intends to continue to expand its activities in the direct to consumer space and the overall consumer packaged goods (CPG) space through leveraging the assets acquired from igourmet LLC and Mouth Foods, Inc. and through leveraging its overall capabilities in the consumer space, including leveraging its direct to consumer e-commerce capabilities to reach both additional customers in multiple channels, and to expand availability of its e-commerce capabilities to additional products and markets.

be consummated without thorough due diligence. No assurancesassurance can be given that we will be able to identify and successfully conclude negotiations with any of these plans will come to fruition or that if implemented that they will necessarily yield positive results.potential target.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues, or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.

Inflation

In the opinion of management, inflation has not had a material effect on the Company’s financial condition orand results of its operations. The Company has seen inflation across its costs for fuel, shipping, cost of goods, and marketing. Balancing the management of these increases with the willingness of our customers to pay higher prices will be a key focus for the Company this year. However, no assurance can be given that we will be successful and inflationary pressure on our profits will likely continue into 2024.

Transactions with Major Customers

The Company's largest customer, U.S. Foods, Inc. and its affiliates, accounted for approximately 40%47% and 57%49% of total sales in each of the years ended December 31, 20202023 and 2019;2022, respectively; and approximately 32%47% of total sales in the fourth quarter of 20202023 compared to 50%46% of total sales in the fourth quarter of 2019.2022. A contract between our subsidiary, Food Innovations, and USF entered an optional renewal period in December 2012 but was automatically extended for an additional 12 months in each of January 1, 2013 and 2014. On January 26, 2015 we executed a contract directly between Food Innovations, Inc., our wholly-owned subsidiary, and U.S. Foods, Inc. The term of the Agreement was from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2016 and provided for a limited number of automatic annual renewals thereafter if no party gives the other 30 days' notice of its intent not to renew. Based on the terms, the Agreement was extended through 2018. Effective January 1, 2018 the Agreement was further amended to remove the cap on renewals, and provide for an unlimited number of additional 12-month terms unless either party notifies the other in writing, 30 days prior to the end date, of its intent not to renew.

In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, sales to Gate Gourmet accounted for approximately 15% and 13% of total sales, respectively.

ITEM8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the ShareholdersStockholders’ and Board of Directors of:

Innovative Food Holdings, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheetssheet of Innovative Food Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”)Company) as of December 31, 20202023 and 2019,2022 and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2020,2023 and the related consolidated notes (collectively referred to as “the consolidatedthe financial statements”)statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 20202023 and 2019,2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2020,2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”)(PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal controlscontrol over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidatedpresentation of the financial statement presentation.statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

Valuation of Goodwill, Amortizable and Unamortizable Intangible Assets

As described in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements, these assets are evaluated for impairment at least annually using valuation techniques to estimate fair value. The adverse impact of COVID-19 pandemic to the Company’s foodservice customer base was a triggering event and accordingly, the Company performed the impairment tests during the first quarter of 2020. The Company engaged a valuation specialist to assist in evaluating the fair values of these assets. These fair value estimates are sensitive to certain significant assumptions including future revenues, growth rates which take into account estimated inflation rates, estimates of future levels of gross profit and operating profit, projected capital expenditures and discount rates based upon industry and competitor analyses used by the valuation specialist.

Auditing management’s goodwill, amortizable and unamortizable intangible assets impairment tests was highly judgmental due to the significant assumptions used by management and the valuation methodologies used the valuation specialist in determining the fair values of these assets.

To test the estimated fair values of the goodwill, amortizable and unamortizable intangible assets, we performed audit procedures that included, among others, evaluating the methodologies used in the valuation model and the significant assumptions used by the Company and the valuation specialist.

We did not identify any critical audit matters that need to be communicated.