Meridian signs Sarasota deals

Meridian Development Group has signed a pair of deals that solidify occupancy at its Meridian Distribution Center in Sarasota, a nearly 1 million-square-foot project that is among the largest industrial spaces in Sarasota or Manatee counties.

United Natural Foods Inc., on the heels of its purchase last month of food distributor and fellow Meridian tenant Global Organic Specialty Source Inc., has expanded its presence by 60,000 square feet, to 460,000 square feet.

United Natural, a Rhode Island-based firm, moved into the 45-acre center in 2007, bringing with it 250 workers. Prior to the purchase, Global Organic occupied about 80,000 square feet.