UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
 
FORM 10-K  
 
 
☒ Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2016
 
OR
 
☐ Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER:  0-9376
 
INNOVATIVE FOOD HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
FLORIDA
20-116776
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
28411 Race Track Rd.
Bonita Springs, Florida 34135
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(239) 596-0204
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OF THE ACT:
NONE
 
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(G) OF THE ACT:
COMMON STOCK, $0.0001 PAR VALUE PER SHARE
(Title of class)
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.   Yes   ☐    No   ☒
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.   ☐    
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  ☒    No   ☐
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   Yes x No ☐
  
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.   ☐
 
Indicate by a check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,”  “accelerated filer and smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (check one):
 
Large accelerated filer  ☐
 
Accelerated filer  ☐
Non-accelerated filer     ☐
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company ☒
 
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).   Yes   ☐    No   ☒
 
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting stock held by non-affiliates was approximately $9,625,641 as of June 30, 2016, based upon a closing price of $0.40 per share for the registrant’s common stock on such date.
 
On March 23, 2017, a total of 24,200,252 shares of our common stock were outstanding.
 
 
INNOVATIVE FOOD HOLDINGS, INC.
 
INDEX TO ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
 
 
PART I
PAGE
 
 
 
Item 1.
4
Item 1A.
7
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
N/A
Item 2.
13
Item 3.
13
Item 4.
13
 
 
 
 
PART II
 
 
 
 
Item 5.
14
Item 6.
16
Item 7.
17
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
N/A
Item 8.
24
Item 9.
52
Item 9A.
52
Item 9B.
53
 
 
 
 
PART III
 
 
 
 
Item 10.
54
Item 11.
56
Item 12.
60
Item 13.
61
Item 14.
62
 
 
 
 
PART IV
 
 
 
 
Item 15.
63
 
 
 
  Signatures 66
 
 
 

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
 
Our History
 
We (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), 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 (post reverse-split) 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 options 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 “Fresh Diet Merger Agreement”), the Company acquired The Fresh Diet, Inc. (“The Fresh Diet” or “FD”) through a reverse triangular merger as the registrant created a subsidiary corporation (FD Acquisition Corp) that merged with and into FD with FD being the surviving corporation and becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The purchase price consisted of 10,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock valued at $14,000,000. The majority of FD’s current liabilities consisted of approximately $3.8 million of deferred revenues and approximately $2.1 million in short term commercial loans and there were additional ordinary course of business expenses such as trade payables, payroll and sales taxes which vary from month to month. In addition, it had  some long term obligations the bulk of which consist of interest free loans from FD’s former shareholders in the amount of approximately $2.2 million which were  not due for three years.   Effective February 23, 2016,  the Company closed a transaction to sell 90% of its  ownership in FD to New Fresh Co., LLC, a Florida limited liability company controlled by the former founder of FD who was appointed Interim CEO of FD on February 9, 2016.  The consideration to  the Company consisted 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.
 
Our Operations
 
Our business is currently conducted by our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Artisan, Food Innovations, Food New Media Group, Inc. (“FNM”), Organic Food Brokers (“OFB”), Gourmet Food Service Group, Inc. (“GFG”), Gourmet Foodservice Warehouse, Inc., Gourmeting, Inc., The Haley Group, Inc. (“Haley”), Oasis Sales Corp. (“Oasis”),  4 The Gourmet, Inc. (d/b/a For The Gourmet, Inc.), (“Gourmet” and collectively with IVFH and its other subsidiaries, the “Company” or “IVFH”).  Overall, our business activities are focused around the 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.   Since its incorporation, the Company primarily through FII’s relationship with thousands of specialty foodservice products including US Foods, Inc.  (“U.S. Foods” or “USF”), has been in the business of providing premium restaurants, within 24 – 72 hours, with the freshest origin-specific perishable, and healthcare products shipped directly from our network of vendors and from our warehouses. Our customers include restaurants, hotels, country clubs, national chain accounts, casinos, hospitals and catering houses.  Gourmet has been in the business of providing specialty food e-commerce consumers, through its own website at www.forethegourmet.com and through www.amazon.com,  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.  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.
Artisan is a supplier of over 1,500 niche gourmet products to over 500 customers such as chefs, restaurants, etc. in the Greater Chicago area and also serves as a national fulfillment center for the Company’s other subsidiaries. Haley is a dedicated foodservice consulting and advisory firm that works closely with companies to access private label and manufacturers’ label food service opportunities with the intent of helping them launch and commercialize new products in the broadline foodservice industry and get products distributed via national broadline food distributors. OFB and Oasis are  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 distribution and shelf placement access in all of the  major metro markets in the food retail industry.  
 
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. We are constantly adding other products that many food distributors cannot effectively warehouse, including organic products and specialty grocery items. 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:
 
● 
Seafood - Alaskan wild king salmon, Hawaiian sashimi-grade ahi tuna, Gulf of Mexico day-boat snapper, Chesapeake Bay soft shell crabs, New England live lobsters, Japanese hamachi
 
 
● 
Meat & Game - Prime rib of American kurobuta pork, dry-aged buffalo tenderloin, domestic lamb, Cervena venison, elk tenderloin
 
 
●
Produce - White asparagus, baby carrot tri-color mix, Oregon wild ramps, heirloom tomatoes
 
 
●
Poultry - Grade A foie gras, Hudson Valley quail, free range and organic chicken, airline breast of pheasant
 
 
●
Specialty - Truffle oils, fennel pollen, prosciutto di Parma, wild boar sausage
 
 
●
Mushrooms - Fresh morels, Trumpet Royale, porcini powder, wild golden chanterelles
 
 
●
Cheese - Maytag blue, buffalo mozzarella, Spanish manchego, Italian gorgonzola dolce
 
Customer Service and Logistics

Our “live” chef-driven customer service department is 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. The customer service department is made up of a team of  chefs and culinary experts 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:
 
●
 Flavor profile and eating qualities
 
 
 ●
 Recipe and usage ideas
 
 
 ●
 Origin, seasonality, and availability
 
 
 ●
 Cross utilization ideas and complementary uses of products
 
Our logistics team tracks every package to ensure timely delivery of products to our customers. The logistics manager receives tracking 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. The customer is then contacted before the expected delivery commitment time allowing the customer ample time to make arrangements for product replacement or menu changes. Our logistics manager works directly with our vendors to ensure our strict packaging requirements are in place at all times.
 
Relationship with U.S. Foods
 
We have historically sold the majority of our products, $25,434,695  and $22,218,034  for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively (72% of total sales in the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015) through a distributor relationship between FII and Next Day Gourmet, L.P., a subsidiary of U.S. Foods, a leading broadline distributor. On January 26, 2015 we executed a contract between Food Innovations, Inc., our wholly-owned subsidiary, and U.S. Foods.  The term of the Agreement is from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2016 and provides for up to three (3) 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 2017.
 
Growth Strategy
 
While the U.S. economic recovery remains fragile, there appears to be much for the specialty food industry to celebrate. Amidst efforts to increase overall efficiency and success, the specialty food industry has experienced general growth in sales through manufacture, retail, and distribution.  According to the State of the Specialty Food Industry report completed by the Specialty Food Association and Mintel in 2016, specialty food sales hit $120.5 billion in the U.S. in 2015 with a 21.2 percent growth in dollar sales and a 13.7 percent increase in unit sales since 2013. Due to product innovation and wider availability through mass-market outlets, retail sales of specialty food experienced an increase of 19.7 percent since 2013 to $94 billion in 2015.   For our continued growth within the specialty foodservice industry and the consumer and chef specialty food industry, we value and strive for a high level of personal customer service, premium quality products, new product introduction and innovation, and continued expansion of our marketing activities with new and existing customers in both the specialty foodservice space and the consumer specialty food space.
 
We anticipate attempting to grow our current specialty foodservice business both through increased sales of existing products to our existing foodservice customers, the introduction of new products to our foodservice customers, increasing our foodservice customer base, and through further entry into markets such as the  consumer market and other markets through a variety of potential sales channels, and sales partnerships and directly via the web.
 
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 a specialty  food manufacturer, or specialty food distributor at some future point in time. 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.
 
General economic conditions and consumer confidence can affect the frequency of purchases and amounts spent by consumers for food-prepared-away-from-home and, in turn, can impact our customers and our sales. We believe the current general economic conditions, including pressure on consumer disposable income, may contribute to a slow or declining growth in the overall broadline foodservice market but toward growth in the specialty foodservice and specialty CPG market.  We intend to continue our efforts to expand our market share and grow earnings by focusing on sales growth, margin management, productivity gains and supply chain management, and product and service differentiation.
 
Competition
 
While we face intense competition in the marketing of our products and services, it is our belief that there is no other single company in the United States that offers such a broad range of customer service oriented, quality, chef driven products and specialty gourmet products,  for delivery from same day to 72 hours..  Our primary competition in both areas is from local purveyors that supply a limited local market and have a limited range of products and from other specialty gourmet distributors. However, 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 general liability insurance policy with a per occurrence limit of $1,000,000 and aggregate policy covering $2,000,000 of liability and non-owned automobile personal injury coverage with a limit of $1,000,000. The Company also carried an Umbrella policy of up to $10,000,000. 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 all third-party vendors to certify that they maintain at least $3,000,000  liability insurance coverage 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 54 full-time employees, including 6 chefs and 2 executive officers. 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 16  to the  Consolidated Financial Statements, (3) in Business – Relationship with U.S. Foods, (4) as the second item under Risk Factors.
 
How to Contact Us
 
Our executive offices are located at 28411 Race Track Rd., Bonita Springs, Florida 34135;  our Internet address is www.foodinno.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
 
Prior to 2013, We Have a History of Losses Requiring Us to Seek Additional Sources of Capital

As of December 31, 2016, we had an accumulated deficit of $31,182,697. 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 reduce or 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 to obtain sufficient funds from our operations or external sources could require us to curtail or cease operations.
 
We Have Historically Derived Substantially All of Our Revenue From One Client and if We Were to Lose Such Client and Be 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.   The term of our current agreement is from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2016 and provides for up to three (3) 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 $25,434,695  in the year ended December 31, 2016, and $22,218,034  in the year ended December 31, 2015.  Those amounts contributed 72%  of our total sales in each of those periods. Our sales efforts 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 cease or 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, shifts in the timing of holiday selling seasons, including Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

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, 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 catalogs 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 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, possible acts of terrorism associated with 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 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 newservices 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 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:

 
·
failure of the acquired businesses to achieve expected results;
 
 
 
 
·
diversion of management’s attention and resources to acquisitions;
 
 
 
 
·
failure to retain key customers or personnel of the acquired businesses;
 
 
 
 
·
disappointing quality or functionality of acquired equipment and people: and
 
 
 
 
·
risks associated with unanticipated events, liabilities or contingencies.
 
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 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 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; 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 the sales in our e-commerce business, 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.

A 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 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.
 
Earthquakes, Inclement Weather or Other Events Out of Our Control May Damage or Limit Production from Our 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, 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. Consumer purchases of discretionary items, including specifically our merchandise, generally decline during periods when disposable income is limited, unemployment rates increase, 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 insure compliance.  New Internet legislation or regulation, or the application of existing laws and regulations to the Internet and e-commerce could add additional costs and risks to doing business on the Internet. 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. Although there are currently few laws and regulations directly applicable to e-commerce, it is possible that a number of laws and regulations may be adopted with respect to the Internet, covering issues such as user privacy, pricing, content, copyrights, distribution, antitrust, taxation and characteristics and quality of products and services. 
The Issuance of Shares Upon Conversion of Convertible Notes and Exercise of Outstanding Warrants or Restricted Stock Units May Cause Immediate and Substantial Dilution to Our Existing Stockholders.

The issuance of shares upon conversion of convertible notes and exercise of warrants and restricted stock units may result in substantial dilution to the interests of other stockholders since the note/warrant/restricted stock unit holders may ultimately convert or exercise and sell the full amount of shares issuable on conversion/exercise/vesting. Although, for the most part, such note/warrant holders may not convert their convertible notes and/or exercise their warrants if such conversion or exercise would cause them to own more than 9.99% of our outstanding common stock unless certain events occurred including a management change or a change of control, or under certain circumstances,  61 days’ notice provided by the noteholders and warrant holders to  the Company.   This restriction does not prevent them from converting and/or exercising some of their holdings, selling off those shares, and then converting the rest of their holdings. In this way, they could sell more than this limit while never holding more than this limit; nor does that cap apply to any holder of restricted stock units. We anticipate that eventually, over time, the full amount of the convertible notes could be converted into shares of our common stock, in accordance with the terms of the secured convertible notes, as well as the exercise of the warrants and the issuance of shares underlying the restricted stock units which will cause significant dilution to our other shareholders.
 
If We Are Required for any Reason to Repay Our Outstanding Convertible Notes We May Have to Deplete Our Working Capital, If Available, or Have to Raise Additional Funds.

We can be required to repay certain of our convertible notes or other notes. If we are required to repay a significant amount of these notes, we would be required to use our limited working capital and/or raise additional funds (which may be unavailable) which would have the effect of causing further dilution and lowering shareholder value.  If we were unable to pay the notes when required, the note holders could commence legal action against us and foreclose on almost all of our assets to recover the amounts due.  Any such action could require us to curtail or cease operations.

Because 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.        
 
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. 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 an emerging growth company until the beginning of a year in which we had a public float of $75 million held by non-affiliates as of the last business day of the second quarter of the prior year.
 
 
We do Not Have a Compensation or an Audit Committee, so Shareholders Will Have to Rely on the Directors to Perform These Functions.
 
We do not have an audit or compensation committee comprised of independent directors. These functions are performed by the members of our board of directors. Until we have an audit committee or independent directors, there may less oversight of management decisions and activities and little ability for minority shareholders to challenge or reverse those activities and decisions, even if they are not in the best interests of minority shareholders.
 
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 2. Properties
 
On May 7, 2012, we entered into a three-year lease with David and Sherri Vohaska for approximately 18,700 feet of office and warehouse space located at 8121 Ogden Avenue, Lyons, Illinois.  The annual rent under the lease is approximately $8,333 per month for the first year, $8,417 per month for the second year, and $8,500 for the third year. David Vohaska was the owner of Artisan Specialty Foods  prior to the Company’s acquisition of Artisan Specialty Foods.  The Company and Mr. Vohaska agreed to terminate this lease agreement effective October 11, 2015.
 
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.  The company relocated all of its office then Florida-based and warehouse facilities into the newly acquired building in Bonita Springs, Florida on July 15, 2013.

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 LIBOR rate plus 3.0%.  The building  is  used for office and warehouse space for the Company’s Artisan subsidiary.  
 
ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings
 
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 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”.  24,200,252 shares of our common stock were outstanding as of March 23, 2017 .   The following table sets forth the high and low closing sales prices of our common stock as reported in the OTCQB for each full quarterly period within the two most recent fiscal years.
 
Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2016
 
HIGH
   
LOW
 
First Quarter
 
$
0.65
   
$
0.40
 
Second Quarter
   
0.56
     
0.38
 
Third Quarter
   
0.52
     
0.39
 
Fourth Quarter
   
0.54
     
0.40
 
    
Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2015
 
HIGH
   
LOW
 
First Quarter
 
$
1.90
   
$
1.30
 
Second Quarter
   
1.39
     
1.13
 
Third Quarter
   
1.28
     
0.95
 
Fourth Quarter
   
0.94
     
0.51
 

The quotations listed above reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not represent actual transactions. On March 15,  2017, the closing price of our common stock as reported by the OTC Market was $0.50 .
 
Security Holders
 
On March 15, 2017, there were approximately 64 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 twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Company had the following transactions:

The Company issued 25,000 shares of common stock with a fair value of $34,000 to a service provider.  The value of these shares was accrued during the twelve months ended December 31, 2015.

The Company issued an aggregate of 600,000 shares of common stock to an employee of FD  pursuant to a separation agreement. These shares were issued as follows: 300,000 of these shares were issued for the exercise of RSUs held by the employee, and an additional 300,000 shares were charged to discontinued operations at the fair value of $147,000.
 
The Company issued 133,333 shares of common stock to an employee of FD  pursuant to an employee agreement.  The fair value of these shares in the amount of $68,000 was charged to discontinued operations during the period.

The Company issued 200,000 shares of common stock to an employee of FD  pursuant to a separation agreement.   These shares were issued via the exercise of RSUs; the par value of $20 was charged to additional paid-in capital during the period.

The Company repurchased 33,000 shares of common stock at a share price of $0.45 per share.  The value of these shares in the amount of $14,850 has been recorded in treasury stock.

The Company issued 95,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the exercises of RSUs by a former director.

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 for cash 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, 2016

At December 31, 2016, the Company had outstanding convertible notes payable in the aggregate principal amount of $647,565 with accrued interest of $626,873 convertible at the rate of $0.25 per share into an aggregate 5,097,752 shares of common stock.  These notes were issued mainly as part of a debt financing into the Company in 2004 and have certain restrictions on repayment. The Company also has a note payable to a related party in the amount of $164,650 convertible at the rate of $0.25 per share into an aggregate of 658,600 shares of common stock.
 
Also at December 31, 2016, the Company had outstanding warrants for holders to purchase the following additional shares: The following warrants were issued in connection to a 2004 equity investment into the Company: 2,294,493 shares exercisable at a price of $0.575 per share; 448,011  shares exercisable at a price of $0.55 per share; and 94,783  shares exercisable at a price of $0.25 per share. In addition the Company has 700,000  warrants outstanding exercisable at a price of $0.01 per share. These warrants were originally issued in connection with the issuance of a loan connected to the Artisan Specialty Foods acquisition. 800,000 of the original warrants were cancelled upon the early payment of the loan in 2012, leaving the current 700,000 connected to the Artisan loan previously outstanding.
 
Also at December 31, 2016, the Company had outstanding options for holders to purchase the following additional shares: 30,000 shares at a price of $3.40 per share; 20,000 shares at a price of $2.40 per share; 500,000 shares at a price of $2.00 per share; 15,000 shares at a price of $1.90 per share; 310,000 shares at a price of $1.60 per share; 100,000 shares at a price of $1.46 per share; 75,000 shares at a price of $1.31 per share; 225,000 shares at a price of $0.57 per share; and 1,170,000 shares at a price of $0.35 per share.
 
December 31, 2015
 
At December 31, 2015, the Company had outstanding convertible notes payable in the aggregate principal amount of $758,065 with accrued interest of $668,615 convertible at the rate of $0.25 per share into an aggregate 5,706,720 shares of common stock.  These notes were issued mainly as part of a debt financing into the Company in 2004 and have certain restrictions on repayment. In addition, the Company had a convertible note payable in the amount of $100,000 convertible at the rate of $1.54 per share into 64,935 shares of common stock. This note was issued as part of the purchase price of Organic Food Brokers in 2014.
 
Also at December 31, 2015, the Company had outstanding warrants for holders to purchase the following additional shares: The following warrants were issued in connection to a 2004 equity investment into the Company: 2,294,493 shares exercisable at a price of $0.575 per share; 448,011  shares exercisable at a price of $0.55 per share; and 94,783  shares exercisable at a price of $0.25 per share. In addition the Company has 700,000  warrants outstanding exercisable at a price of $0.01 per share. These warrants were originally issued in connection with the issuance of a loan connected to the Artisan Specialty Foods acquisition. 800,000 of the original warrants were cancelled upon the early payment of the loan in 2012, leaving the current 700,000 connected to the Artisan loan previously outstanding.
 
Also at December 31, 2015, the Company had outstanding options for holders to purchase the following additional shares: 30,000 shares at a price of $3.40 per share; 20,000 shares at a price of $2.40 per share; 500,000 shares at a price of $2.00 per share; 15,000 shares at a price of $1.90 per share; 310,000 shares at a price of $1.60 per share;  100,000 shares at a price of $1.46 per share; 15,000 shares at a price of $1.44 per share; 75,000 shares at a price of $1.31 per share; 225,000 shares at a price of $0.57 per share; 92,500 shares at a price of $0.48 per share; 92,500 shares at a price of $0.474 per share; 92,500 shares at a price of $0.45 per share; 275,000 shares at a price of $0.40 per share; 92,500 shares at a price of $0.38 per share; and 1,170,000 shares at a price of $0.35 per share.
 
The holders of the notes and warrants have each contractually agreed not to convert their convertible notes and/or exercise their warrants if such conversion or exercise would cause them to own more than 9.99% of our outstanding common stock, unless amongst other things there was a management change or a change of control or unless 61 days’ notice was provided by the noteholders.   However, this restriction does not prevent them from converting and/or exercising some of their holdings, selling off those shares, and then converting the rest of their holdings.  These note and warrant holders have also contractually agreed volume limitations on the sale of our shares.
 

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
 
As of December 31, 2016, the following shares are issuable pursuant to outstanding stock options, warrants, and rights issued under the 2011 Stock Option Plan:
 
Plan Category
 
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
   
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants, and rights
   
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
 
 
                 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
 
 
2,445,000
   
$
1.005
   
 
96,755,000
 
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders
   
4,570,249
   
$
0.993
     
N/A
 
 
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”, or “propose” 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:
 
●
 Our ability to raise capital necessary to sustain our anticipated operations and implement our business plan,
 
 
●
 Our ability to implement our business plan,
 
●
 Our ability to generate sufficient cash to pay our lenders and other creditors,
 
●
 Our dependence on one major customer,
 
 
●
 Our ability to employ and retain qualified management and employees,
 
●
 Our dependence on the efforts and abilities of our current employees and executive officers,
 
●
 Changes in government regulations that are applicable to our current  or anticipated business,
 
●
 Changes in the demand for our products and services,
 
●
 The degree and nature of our competition,
 
●
 The lack of diversification of our business plan,
 
●
 The general volatility of the capital markets and the establishment of a market for our shares, and
 
●
 Disruption in the economic and financial conditions primarily from the impact of past terrorist attacks in the United States, threats of future attacks, police and military activities overseas and other disruptive worldwide political and economic events and environmental weather conditions.
 
We are also subject to other risks detailed from time to time in our other filings with Securities and Exchange Commission 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 included in this report 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 doubtful accounts receivable, stock-based services, valuation of financial instruments, 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. 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:
 
The following table illustrates certain key information regarding our warrants and warrant valuation assumptions at December 31, 2016 and 2015:
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
 
2016
   
2015
 
Number of warrants outstanding
   
3,537,284
     
3,537,284
 
Value at December 31
   
N/A
     
N/A
 
Number of warrants issued during the period
   
-
     
-
 
Value of warrants issued during the year
   
N/A
     
N/A
 
Revaluation (gain) loss during the period
   
N/A
     
N/A
 
Number of warrants exercised during the period
   
-
     
1,261,185
 
Value of warrants exercised during the period
   
N/A
     
N/A
 
Number of warrants cancelled or expired during the period
   
-
     
-
 
Value of warrants cancelled or expired during the period
   
N/A
     
N/A
 
Black-Scholes model variables:
               
Volatility
   
N/A
     
N/A
 
Dividends
   
N/A
     
N/A
 
Risk-free interest rates
   
N/A
     
N/A
 
Term (years)
   
N/A
     
N/A
 
 
(b) Embedded conversion features of notes payable:
 
The following table illustrates certain key information regarding our Conversion options and conversion option valuation assumptions at December 31, 2016 and 2015:
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
 
2016
   
2015
 
 
           
Number of conversion options outstanding
   
5,756,352
     
5,771,665
 
Value at December 31
 
$
N/A
   
$
N/A
 
Number of conversion options issued during the year
   
49,622
     
49,724
 
Value of conversion options issued during the year
 
$
-
   
$
-
 
Number of options exercised or underlying notes or accrued interest paid or converted during the year
   
64,935
     
64,935
 
Value of options exercised during the year
 
$
N/A
   
$
N/A
 
Revaluation loss (gain) during the period
   
N/A
     
N/A
 
 
               
Black-Scholes model variables:
   
N/A
     
N/A
 
Volatility
   
N/A
     
N/A
 
Dividends
   
N/A
     
N/A
 
Risk-free interest rates
   
N/A
     
N/A
 
Term (years)
   
N/A
     
N/A
 
 
(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, 2016 and 2015:
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
 
2016
   
2015
 
Number of options outstanding
   
2,445,000
     
3,105,000
 
Value at December 31
   
N/A
     
N/A
 
Number of options issued during the year
   
0
     
50,000
 
Value of options issued during the year
 
$
N/A
   
$
6,894
 
Number of options recognized during the year  pursuant to SFAS 123(R)
   
0
     
0
 
Number of options exercised or expired during the year
   
660,000
     
190,000
 
Value of options recognized during the year  pursuant to SFAS 123(R)
 
$
19,752
   
$
188,491
 
Revaluation (gain) during the period
 
$
N/A
   
$
N/A
 
 
               
Black-Scholes model variables:
               
Volatility
   
N/A
%
 
89.42% to 189.71
%
Dividends
   
N/A
     
0
 
Risk-free interest rates
   
N/A
%
 
0.14% to 0.99
%
Term (years)
   
N/A
   
0.92 to 3.00
 
 
Doubtful Accounts Receivable
 
The Company maintained an allowance in the amount of $8,123 for doubtful accounts receivable at December 31, 2016, and $56,364 at December 31, 2015. Actual losses on accounts receivable were $18,759 for 2016 and $9,358 for 2015. 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. Generally, these liabilities  increased as the price of the Company’s stock increased (with resultant gain), and decreased as the Company’s stock decreased (yielding a loss). In December 2012, the Company removed  these liabilities from its balance sheet  by  reclassifying them as equity.
 
Income Taxes
 
The Company has a history of losses, and as such has recorded no liability for income taxes. Until such time as the Company begins to provide 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.
 
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), 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 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 were  met over the next one or two years.  Those milestones have been met.
 
Pursuant to an asset purchase agreement, effective November 2, 2012, the Company purchased the outstanding assets of The Haley Group, LLC (“Haley”). Pursuant to a purchase agreement, effective June 30, 2014, the Company purchased 100% of the membership interest of Organic Food Brokers, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company (“OFB”). Pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of January 1, 2017, the Company purchased substantially all of the assets of Oasis Sales and Marketing, L.L.C.
 
On August 15, 2014, pursuant to a merger agreement (the “Fresh Diet Merger Agreement”), the Company acquired The Fresh Diet, Inc. (“The Fresh Diet” or “FD”) through a reverse triangular merger as the registrant created a subsidiary corporation (FD Acquisition Corp) that merged with and into FD with FD being the surviving corporation and becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The purchase price consisted of 10,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock valued at $14,000,000. The majority of FD’s current liabilities consisted of approximately $3.8 million of deferred revenues and approximately $2.1 million in short term commercial loans and there were additional ordinary course of business expenses such as trade payables, payroll and sales taxes which vary from month to month. In addition, it had  some long term obligations the bulk of which consist of interest free loans from FD’s former shareholders in the amount of approximately $2.2 million which were  not due for three years.  Effective February 23, 2016,  the Company closed a transaction to sell 90% of our ownership in FD to New Fresh Co., LLC, a Florida limited liability company controlled by the former founder of FD who was appointed Interim CEO of FD on February 9, 2016.  The consideration to Innovative Food Holdings consisted 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.
 
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 16 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
 
Prior year balances have been recast to reflect the sale of 90% of our interest in FD  in February 2016.  Results of discontinued operations are excluded from the accompanying results of operations for all periods presented, unless otherwise noted.  See Note 2 – discontinued operations in the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
This discussion may contain forward looking-statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our future results could differ materially from the forward looking-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, 2016 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
Revenue
 
Revenue increased by $4,524,007 or approximately 14.8% to $35,172,388 for the year ended December 31, 2016  from $30,648,381 in the prior year. 
 
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 that strategy if, based on our analysis, we deem it beneficial to us.
 
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 segments 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 twelve months ended December 31, 2016 was $24,502,264,  an increase of $3,041,452  or approximately  14.2% compared to cost of goods sold of $21,460,812  for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015. Cost of goods sold is made up of the following expenses for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016: cost of goods of specialty, meat, game, cheese, seafood, poultry and other sales categories in the amount of $17,561,513;  and shipping, delivery, handling, and purchase allowance expenses in the amount of $6,940,750.  Total gross margin was approximately 30.3% of sales in 2016 compared to approximately  30.0% of sales in 2015.   The increase in cost of goods sold is primary attributable to an increase in sales.  The increase in gross margins from 2015 are primarily attributable to variation in product and revenue mix across our various selling channels.
     
In 2016, we continued to price our products in order to gain market share and increase the number of our end users. We were successful in both increasing sales and increasing market share.  We currently expect, if market conditions and our product revenue mix remain constant, that our cost of goods sold will  remain stable.
 
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
 
Selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased by $1,620,324 or approximately 18.0% to $7,370,334 during the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 compared to $8,990,658 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015. The decrease in selling, general, and administrative expenses was primarily due to decreases in non-cash compensation, which was $ 1,076,147 for the year ended December 31, 2016, a decrease of $1,351,084 or 55.7%  compared to non-cash compensation of $ 2,427,231 during the twelve months ended December 31, 2015.
    
Interest expense, net
 
Interest expense, net of interest income, decreased by $92,529  or approximately 16.1%  to $483,385   during the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, compared to $575,914 during the twelve months ended December 31, 2015.  Approximately 24.7%  or $119,495  of the interest expense was accrued or paid interest on the company’s commercial loans and notes payable; approximately 76.6%  or $370,036 of the interest was a non-cash GAAP accounting charge associated with the amortization of the discounts on the Company’s notes payable.  The Company also had $6,146 of interest income during the period.
     
Other Income
 
There was no other income during the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to other income of $5,400  during the year ended December 31, 2015. Other income in 2015 consisted of a gain on the sale of one of the investments that the Company made into an early stage food business.  That business was subsequently acquired by a private equity fund in 2015.

Net income from continuing operations
 
For the reasons above, the Company had net income from continuing operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 of $2,816,405 which is an increase of approximately  853.8% compared to a net loss of $373,603 during the twelve months ended December 31, 2015. The income for the year ended December 31, 2016 includes a total of $1,837,094 in non-cash charges, including amortization of intangible assets in the amount of $232,768, depreciation expense of $158,143, charges for non-cash compensation in the amount of $1,076,147, and amortization of the discount on notes payable in the amount of $370,036. The loss for the year ended December 31, 2015 includes a total of $3,300,869 in non-cash charges, including amortization of intangible assets in the amount of $299,825, depreciation expense of $84,626, charges for non-cash compensation in the amount of $2,427,231, and amortization of the discount on notes payable in the amount of $489,187.
Liquidity and Capital Resources at December 31, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2016, the Company had current assets of $6,172,874, consisting of cash and cash equivalents of $3,764,053; trade accounts receivable, net of $1,538,395; inventory of $815,033; and other current assets of $55,393.  Also at December 31, 2016, the Company had current liabilities of $5,400,488 consisting of accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $3,119,533, , including $65,000 to related parties; accrued interest of $626,873; current portion of notes payable – related party of $164,650; and current portion of notes payable of $1,424,432, net of discount of $185,020.
 
During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Company had cash provided by operating activities of $3,469,096.  This consisted of the Company’s consolidated net income of $6,387,705  offset by the gain on sale of investment of $7,201,196, non-cash compensation in the amount of $2,108,055 (of which $1,028,908 was related to TFD employees), amortization of discount on notes payable of $370,036, depreciation and amortization of $497,920, and decrease in allowance for bad debt of ($10,350).  The Company’s cash position also increased by $1,492,890  as a result of changes in the components of current assets and current liabilities.  
 
The Company had cash used in investing activities of $488,452 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, which consisted of $470,482 cash disposed in the sale of TFD; $10,512 for the acquisition of property and equipment; and  $7,458 for investments in food related companies. The Company had cash used in financing activities of $1,353,880 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, which consisted of borrowings on revolving credit facilities of $805,959, offset by payments made on revolving credit facilities of $941,831; principal payments on notes payable of $1,191,627, principal payments on capital leases of $11,531, and payments made for the purchase of treasury stock of $14,850.
 
The Company had net working capital of $772,386  as of December 31, 2016.  We generated  cash flow from operations during the year ended December 31, 2016 in the amount of $3,469,096, compared  to cash used in operating activities of $3,662,434 during the twelve months ended December 31, 2015.  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.  Currently, we do not have any material long-term obligations other than those described in Note 11 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 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. 
 
In February 2016, we completed the sale of FD to New Fresh Co., LLC, a Florida limited liability company controlled by the former founder of FD.  See Note 2.
  
If the Company’s cash flow from operations is insufficient to fully implement its business plan, 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. The Company has not made any adjustments to the financial statements which would be necessary should the Company not be able to continue as a going concern. 
 
2017 Plans
 
During 2017, in addition to our efforts to increase sales in our existing foodservice operations we plan to attempt to expand our business by expanding our focus to additional specialty foods markets in both the consumer and foodservice sector,  exploring potential acquisition and partnership opportunities and continuing 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 sales channel relationships which are currently being explored. In addition, we are currently exploring the introduction of 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.
 
No assurances can be given that any of these plans will come to fruition or that if implemented that they will necessarily yield positive results.

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 or results of its operations.
 
Transactions with Major Customers
 
The Company’s largest customer, US Foods, Inc. and its affiliates, accounted for approximately 72% of total sales in the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.    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 between Food Innovations, Inc., our wholly-owned subsidiary, and U.S. Foods, Inc.  The term of the Agreement is from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2016 and provides for up to three (3) 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 2017.
 

ITEM 8. Financial Statements
 
  REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
 
 
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Innovative Food Holdings, Inc.
Bonita Springs, Florida
 
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Innovative Food Holdings, Inc., and subsidiaries (“the Company”) as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for the years then ended. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its Internal Control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, 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. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
/s/ LIGGETT & WEBB, P.A.
 

New York, NY
March 30, 2017
 
Innovative Food Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
 
 
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
 
 
2016
   
2015
 
ASSETS
           
Current assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
3,764,053
   
$
1,645,320
 
Accounts receivable net
   
1,538,395
     
1,650,584
 
Inventory
   
815,033
     
920,885
 
Other current assets
   
55,393
     
68,559
 
Current assets - discontinued operations
   
-
     
1,767,333
 
Total current assets
   
6,172,874
     
6,052,681
 
 
               
Property and equipment, net
   
2,068,110
     
2,193,463
 
Investments
   
208,983
     
150,000
 
Non-current assets - discontinued operations
   
-
     
4,665,554
 
Intangible assets, net
   
707,684
     
940,452
 
Total assets
 
$
9,157,651
   
$
14,002,150
 
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
               
Current liabilities
               
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
$
3,119,533
   
$
1,702,526
 
Accrued liabilities - related parties
   
65,000
     
458,710
 
Accrued interest
   
626,873
     
9,230
 
Revolving credit facilities
   
-
     
1,380,000
 
Notes payable, related party, current portion
   
164,650
     
-
 
Notes payable, current portion, net of discount
   
1,424,432
     
897,615
 
Contingent liabilities
   
-
     
91,000
 
Current liabilities - discontinued operations
   
-
     
10,512,255
 
Total current liabilities
   
5,400,488
     
15,051,336
 
                 
Accrued interest - long term portion
   
-
     
614,465
 
Note payable - long term portion, net of discount
   
1,137,811
     
1,254,042
 
Notes payable - related parties, long term portion
   
-
     
164,650
 
Long term liabilities - discontinued operations
   
-
     
2,301,151
 
Total liabilities
   
6,538,299
     
19,385,644
 
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
                 
Stockholders’ equity (deficit)
               
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 25,301,819 and 24,248,486 shares issued,
and 24,568,157 and 23,547,824 shares outstanding at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively
   
2,528
     
2,423
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
33,974,470
     
32,344,584
 
Treasury stock, 519,254 and 486,254 shares outstanding at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015
   
(174,949
)
   
(160,099
)
Accumulated deficit
   
(31,182,697
)
   
(37,570,402
)
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)
   
2,619,352
     
(5,383,494
)
 
               
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)
 
$
9,157,651
   
$
14,002,150
 
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
Innovative Food Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
   
For the
   
For the
 
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
             
             
Revenue
 
$
35,172,388
   
$
30,648,381
 
Cost of goods sold
   
24,502,264
     
21,460,812
 
Gross margin
   
10,670,124
     
9,187,569
 
                 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
7,370,334
     
8,990,658
 
      Total operating expenses
   
7,370,334
     
8,990,658
 
                 
Operating income
   
3,299,790
     
196,911
 
                 
Other (income) expense:
               
  Interest expense, net
   
483,385
     
575,914
 
   Other (income)
   
-
     
(5,400
)
      Total other (income) expense
   
483,385
     
570,514
 
                 
Net income (loss) before taxes
   
2,816,405
     
(373,603
)
                 
  Income tax expense
   
-
     
-
 
                 
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
 
$
2,816,405
   
$
(373,603
)
                 
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations
   
3,571,300
     
(26,802,488
)
                 
Consolidated net income (loss)
 
$
6,387,705
   
$
(27,176,091
)
                 
Net income (loss) per share from continuing operations - basic
 
$
0.112
   
$
(0.016
)
                 
Net income (loss) per share from discontinued operations - basic
 
$
0.142
   
$
(1.166
)
                 
Net income (loss) per share from continuing operations - diluted
 
$
0.100
   
$
(0.016
)
                 
Net income (loss) per share from discontinued operations - diluted
 
$
0.112
   
$
(1.166
)
                 
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic
   
25,071,025
     
22,996,003
 
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted
   
31,984,945
     
22,996,003
 
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
Innovative Food Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
   
For the
   
For the
 
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
             
             
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income (loss)
  $
6,387,705
   
$
(27,176,091
)
                 
Gain on sale of investment
    -      
(5,400
)
Gain on sale of discontinued operations
   
(7,201,196
)
   
-
 
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
   
497,920
     
1,417,916
 
Impairment of goodwill
    -      
16,614,373
 
Stock based compensation
   
1,076,147
     
2,427,231
 
Stock based compensation  for FD employees
   
1,028,908
     
2,258,216
 
Amortization of discount on notes payable
   
370,036
     
489,187
 
Allowance for doubtful accounts
   
(10,350
)
   
24,808
 
                 
  Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable, net
   
81,877
     
(432,422
)
Deferred revenue
   
289,254
     
243,657
 
Inventory and other current assets, net
   
193,659
     
17,254
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses - related party
   
(81,018
)
   
(192,935
)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
   
927,044
     
683,382
 
Due from related party
   
110
     
(110
)
Contingent liability
   
(91,000
)
   
(31,500
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
   
3,469,096
     
(3,662,434
)
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Cash received from sale of investment
           
59,400
 
Cash disposed in the sale of FD
   
(470,482
)
   
-
 
Acquisition of property and equipment
   
(10,512
)
   
(1,551,618
)
Investments in food related companies
   
(7,458
)
   
-
 
Cash paid to re-acquire shares issued in acquisition of FD
   
-
     
(3,000,000
)
Net cash (used in) investing activities
   
(488,452
)
   
(4,492,218
)
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Common stock sold for cash
   
-
     
4,288,596
 
Common stock sold for exercise of options and warrants
   
-
     
788,860
 
Payments made for the repurchase of common stock
   
(14,850
)
   
-
 
Payments made on revolving credit facilities
   
(941,831
)
   
(5,586,785
)
Borrowings on revolving credit facilities
   
805,959
     
6,817,125
 
Borrowings made on debt
   
-
     
2,625,015
 
Principal payments on debt
   
(1,191,627
)
   
(1,565,253
)
Principal payments capital leases
   
(11,531
)
   
(188,143
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
   
(1,353,880
)
   
7,179,415
 
                 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
   
1,626,764
     
(975,237
)
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   
2,137,289
     
3,112,526
 
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
3,764,053
   
$
2,137,289
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period - discontinued operations
 
$
-
   
$
491,969
 
                 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
               
                 
Cash paid during the period for:
               
Interest
 
$
96,318
   
$
113,271
 
                 
Taxes
 
$
-
   
$
-
 
                 
Non-cash transactions:
               
Par value of 125,000 shares issued for RSUs
 
$
-
   
$
12
 
                 
Shares of common stock issued to employees
 
$
68,000
   
$
53,000
 
                 
Shares issued to service providers
 
$
-
   
$
73,000
 
                 
Issuance of 150,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the Haley Group acquisition
 
$
34,000
   
$
37,500
 
                 
Fair value of 50,000 options issued to a service provider
 
$
-
   
$
6,894
 
                 
Equipment acquired under capital lease
 
$
19,357
   
$
101,635
 
                 
Discount on notes payable due to extension of term
 
$
-
   
$
647,565
 
                 
Fair value of extension of term of stock options
 
$
-
   
$
89,553
 
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
Innovative Food Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)

   
Common Stock
         
Treasury stock
   
Accumulated
       
   
Amount
   
Value
   
APIC
   
Amount
   
Value
   
Deficit
   
Total
 
                                           
Balance at December 31, 2014
   
21,393,989
    $
2,140
    $
25,937,734
     
486,254
    $
(160,099
)
  $
(10,394,311
)
  $
15,385,464
 
                                                         
Common stock sold for cash
   
4,122,249
     
412
     
4,288,184
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
4,288,596
 
                                                         
Cancellation of shares issued in acquisition of FD
   
(3,110,063
)
   
(311
)
   
(4,353,777
)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(4,354,088
)
                                                         
Value of RSU’s recognized during the period
   
-
     
-
     
2,397,973
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
2,397,973
 
                                                         
Fair value of RSUs charged to discontinued operations
   
-
     
-
     
2,258,216
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
2,258,216
 
                                                         
Fair value of vested stock options issued to management and board
   
-
     
-
     
98,938
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
98,938
 
                                                         
Shares issued for exercise of warrants
   
1,261,185
     
126
     
706,874
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
707,000
 
                                                         
Shares issued for exercise of options
   
190,000
     
19
     
81,841
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
81,860
 
                                                         
Value of options extensions
   
-
     
-
     
89,553
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
89,553
 
                                                         
Shares issued pursuant to Haley Acquisition - previously accrued
   
150,000
     
15
     
37,485
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
37,500
 
                                                         
Fair value of stock options issued to service provider
   
-
     
-
     
6,894
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
6,894
 
                                                         
Fair value of stock issued to service provider
   
55,000
     
5
     
72,995
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
73,000
 
                                                         
Fair value of stock granted to employee
   
40,000
     
3
     
52,997
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
53,000
 
                                                         
Discount on notes payable due to conversion feature of extended notes
   
-
     
-
     
647,565
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
647,565
 
                                                         
Shares issued to Haley - previously accrued
   
21,126
     
2
     
21,124
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
21,126
 
                                                         
Shares issued pursuant to exercises of RSUs
   
125,000
     
12
     
(12
)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
                                                         
Loss for the year ended December 31, 2015
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(27,176,091
)
   
(27,176,091
)
                                                         
                                                         
Balance at December 31, 2015
   
24,248,486
    $
2,423
    $
32,344,584
     
486,254
    $
(160,099
)
  $
(37,570,402
)
  $
(5,383,494
)
                                                         
                                                         
Shares issued to Haley - previously accrued
   
25,000
     
3
     
33,997
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
34,000
 
                                                         
Shares issued to employee under severance agreement
   
300,000
     
30
     
146,970
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
147,000
 
                                                         
Shares issued to employee under employment agreement
   
133,333
     
13
     
67,987
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
68,000
 
                                                         
Value of RSU’s recognized during the period
   
-
     
-
     
849,401
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
849,401
 
                                                         
Fair value of RSUs charged to discontinued operations
   
-
     
-
     
813,908
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
813,908
 
                                                         
Fair value of vested stock options issued to management and board
   
-
     
-
     
19,752
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
19,752
 
                                                         
Conversion of RSUs to common stock under separation agreements
   
595,000
     
59
     
(59
)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
                                                         
RSUs issued for previously accrued officer and director compensation
   
-
     
-
     
317,930
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
317,930
 
                                                         
Accrued purchase RSUs and common stock pursuant to severance agreement
   
-
     
-
     
(620,000
)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(620,000
)
                                                         
Common stock repurchased
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
33,000
     
(14,850
)
   
-
     
(14,850
)
                                                         
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2016
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
6,387,705
     
6,387,705
 
                                                         
Balance at December 31, 2016
   
25,301,819
    $
2,528
    $
33,974,470
     
519,254
    $
(174,949
)
  $
(31,182,697
)
  $
2,619,352
 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
INNOVATIVE FOOD HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 and 2015
 
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Business Activity
 
Our business is currently conducted by our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Artisan, Food Innovations, Food New Media Group, Inc. (“FNM”), Organic Food Brokers (“OFB”) , Gourmet Food Service Group, Inc. (“GFG”), Gourmet Foodservice Warehouse, Inc., Gourmeting, Inc., The Haley Group, Inc. (“Haley”), Oasis Sales Corp (“Oasis”) , 4 The Gourmet, Inc. (d/b/a For The Gourmet, Inc.), (“Gourmet” and collectively with IVFH and its other subsidiaries, the “Company” or “IVFH”).  Overall, our focus is on distribution or the enabling of distribution of specialty food products ranging from specialty foodservice products to Consumer Packaged Goods (“CPG”) products   Since its incorporation, the Company primarily through FII’s relationship with thousands of specialty foodservice products including US Foods, Inc.  (“U.S. Foods” or “USF”), has been in the business of providing premium restaurants, within 24 – 72 hours, with the freshest origin-specific perishable, and healthcare products shipped directly from our network of vendors and from our warehouses. Our customers include restaurants, hotels, country clubs, national chain accounts, casinos, hospitals and catering houses.  Gourmet has been in the business of providing specialty food e-commerce consumers, through its own website at www.forthegourmet.com and though www.amazon.com ,  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.  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.
 
Artisan is a supplier of over 1,500 niche gourmet products to over 500 customers in the Greater Chicago area.  Haley provides consulting services and other solutions to its clients in the food industry.  Haley is a dedicated foodservice consulting and advisory firm that works closely with companies to access private label and manufacturers’ label food service opportunities with the intent of helping them launch and commercialize new products in the broadline foodservice industry and get products distributed via national broadline food distributors.  OFB and Oasis are  outsourced national sales and brand management teams for emerging organic and specialty food Consumer Packaged Goods (“CPG”) companies and provides  emerging CPG specialty food brands distribution and shelf placement access in all of the  major metro markets in the food retail industry.  

Discontinued Operations

On February 23, 2016, the Company consummated the sale of  90% of our ownership in FD.    As a result of the sale, the results of operations for all periods  have been included in “Net (loss)  from discontinued operations” in our consolidated statements of operations. Additionally, these assets and liabilities have been presented as discontinued operations in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016 and 2015. See Note 2 - Discontinued Operations for additional information.
 
Use of Estimates
 
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 doubtful accounts receivable, stock-based services, valuation of financial instruments, 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 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.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Innovative Food Holdings, Inc., and its wholly owned operating subsidiaries, Artisan, Food Innovations, FNM, OFB, GFG, Gourmet Foodservice Warehouse, Inc., Gourmeting, Inc., Haley, and Gourmet.  All accounts of FD have been included under discontinued operations.  All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation of these entities.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
The Company recognizes revenue upon product delivery. All of our products are shipped either same day or overnight or through longer shipping terms to the customer and the customer takes title to product and assumes risk and ownership of the product when it is delivered. Shipping charges to customers and sales taxes collectible from customers, if any, are included in revenues.
 
For revenue from product sales, the Company recognizes revenue in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board “FASB” Accounting Standards Codification “ASC” 605-15-05. ASC 605-15-05 requires that four basic criteria must be met before revenue can be recognized: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred; (3) the selling   price is fixed and  determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured.  Determination of criteria (3) and (4) are based on management’s judgments regarding the fixed nature of the selling prices of the products delivered and the collectability of those amounts.  Provisions for discounts and rebates to customers, estimated returns and allowances, and other adjustments are provided for in the same period the related sales are recorded.  The Company defers any revenue for which the product has not been delivered or is subject to refund until such time that the Company and the customer jointly determine that the product has been delivered or no refund will be required.
 
Cost of goods sold
 
We have included in cost of goods sold all costs which are directly related to the generation of revenue. These costs include primarily the cost of food and raw materials,  packing and handling, shipping, and delivery costs.
 
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
 
We have included in selling, general, and administrative expenses all other costs which support the Company’s operations but which are not includable as a cost of sales. These include primarily payroll, facility costs such as rent and utilities, selling expenses such as commissions and advertising, amortization of intangible assets, depreciation, and other administrative costs including professional fees and costs associated with non-cash stock compensation.  Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
Cash equivalents include all highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less which are not securing any corporate obligations.

Accounts Receivable
 
The Company provides an allowance for doubtful accounts equal to the estimated uncollectible amounts.  The Company’s estimate is based on historical collection experience and a review of the current status of trade accounts receivable.  It is reasonably possible that the Company’s estimate of the allowance for doubtful accounts will change.  Accounts receivable are presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $8,123 and $56,364 at December 31, 2016, and 2015, respectively.
 
Property and Equipment
 
Property and equipment are valued at cost.  Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful lives up to five years using the straight-line method.  Leasehold improvements are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.
 
The estimated service lives of property and equipment are as follows:

Computer Equipment
3 years
Warehouse Equipment
5 years
Office Furniture and Fixtures
5 years
Vehicles
5 years
  
Inventories
 
Inventory is valued at the lower of cost or market and is determined by the first-in, first-out method.
 
Income Taxes
 
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases.  Deferred tax assets, including tax loss and credit carryforwards, and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
 
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
The carrying amount of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, notes payable, line of credit, accounts payable and accrued expenses, none of which is held for trading, approximates their estimated fair values due to the short-term maturities of those financial instruments.

The Company adopted ASC 820-10, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS 157), which provides a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP.  ASC 820-10 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.  ASC 820-10 requires that valuation techniques maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.
 
Long-Lived Assets
 
The Company reviews its property and equipment and any identifiable intangibles for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The test for impairment is required to be performed by management at least annually. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the future undiscounted operating cash flow expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.
 
As of December 31, 2015, the Company recorded an impairment in the value of goodwill associated with FD  in the amount of $16,614,373.  This amount is recorded in the net loss from discontinued operations on the Company’s statement of operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015.
 
Comprehensive Income
 
ASC 220-10-15 “Reporting Comprehensive Income,” establishes standards for reporting and displaying of comprehensive income, its components and accumulated balances.  Comprehensive income is defined to include all changes in equity except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.  Among other disclosures, ASC 220-10-15 requires that all items that are required to be recognized under current accounting standards as components of comprehensive income be reported in a financial statement that is displayed with the same prominence as other financial statements.  The Company does not have any items of comprehensive income in any of the periods presented.
 
Cost Method Investments
 
The Company has made several investments in early stage private food related companies and are accounting for these investments under the cost method.
 
Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share
 
Basic net earnings (loss) per share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period, while fully-diluted net earnings (loss) per share is based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock and potentially dilutive securities assumed to be outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Potentially dilutive securities consist of options and warrants to purchase common stock, and convertible debt. Basic and diluted net loss per share is computed based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period.
 
The Company uses the treasury stock method to calculate the impact of outstanding stock options and warrants. Stock options and warrants for which the exercise price exceeds the average market price over the period have an anti-dilutive effect on earnings per common share and, accordingly, are excluded from the calculation. 
 
A net loss causes all outstanding stock options and warrants to be antidilutive. As a result, the basic and dilutive losses per common share are the same for the year ended December 31, 2015.
 
Dilutive shares at December 31, 2016:

Convertible notes and interest:
At December 31, 2016, the Company had outstanding convertible notes payable in the aggregate principal amount of $812,215  with accrued interest of $626,873  convertible at the rate of $0.25 per share into an aggregate of 5,756,352   shares of common stock.

Warrants:
At December 31, 2016, the Company had outstanding warrants for holders to purchase the following additional shares: 2,294,493 shares at a price of $0.575 per share; 448,010 shares at a price of $0.55 per share; 94,783 shares at a price of $0.25 per share; and 700,000 shares at a price of $0.01 per share.

Stock Options:
At December 31, 2016, the Company had outstanding options for holders to purchase the following additional shares: 30,000 shares at a price of $3.40 per share; 20,000 shares at a price of $2.40 per share; 500,000 shares at a price of $2.00 per share; 15,000 shares at a price of $1.90 per share; 310,000 shares at a price of $1.60 per share; 100,000 shares at a price of $1.46 per share; 75,000 shares at a price of $1.31 per share; 225,000 shares at a price of $0.57 per share; and 1,170,000 shares at a price of $0.35 per share.

RSUs:
At December 31, 2016, the Company has issued restricted stock units (“RSUs”) for the potential issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock for the purpose of aligning executives and employees of the Company and  for the purpose of compensation for serving as members of the Board of Directors of the Company and for the purposes of retaining qualified personnel at compensation levels that otherwise would not be available should the company have been required to pay certain salaries in cash only. Certain RSUs were issued to the executive officers of the Company (“Executive RSUs”); certain RSUs were issued to the employees of the Company (“Employee RSUs”); certain RSUs were issued to members of the board of directors of the Company (“Board RSUs”); and certain of the RSUs were issued to employees of FD (“FD RSUs”).

At December 31, 2016, the following Executive RSUs were outstanding:  A total of 1,737,072 RSUs were vested, and 800,000 will vest on July 1, 2017. An additional 125,000 RSUs will vest contingent upon the attainment of a stock price of $2.00 per share for 20 straight trading days, and an additional 175,000 RSUs will vest contingent  upon the attainment of a stock price of $3.00  per share for 20 straight trading days. The Company estimated that the stock-price goals of the Company’s stock price closing above $2.00 per share for 20 straight days have a 90% likelihood of achievement, and these RSUs were valued at 90% of their face value; the Company also estimated that the likelihood of the Company’s stock closing above $3.00 per share for 20 straight days is 70%, and these RSUs were valued at 70% of their face value.  We recognized stock-based compensation expense of in a straight-line manner over the vesting period of the RSUs.

On March 31, 2016, 10,000 Board RSUs were issued. On August 3, 2016, 95,000 Board RSUs were exercised by a former Board member.  At December 31, 2016, the following Board RSUs were outstanding: a total of 545,000  RSUs were vested, and 270,000will vest on July 1, 2017.

The Employee RSUs were issued to certain nonexecutive employees of the Company either partially in lieu of salary, future bonuses or a combination of both bonus and salary. On March 31, 2016, 180,534 Employee RSUs were issued. At December 31, 2016, 180,534 Employee RSUs were outstanding, all of which were vested.


On January 26, 2016, 300,000 FD  RSUs were exercised, and 800,000 FD  RSUs were forfeited. On April 25, 2016, an additional 1,000,000 FD  RSUs were forfeited.  On June 29, 2016, 200,000 FD  RSUs were exercised, and an additional 900,000 FD  RSUs were forfeited.  At December 31, 2016, 1,000,000 FD  RSUs were outstanding; 600,000 were vested, and 400,000 were scheduled to vest on July 1, 2017.

We recognized stock-based compensation expense for RSUs in a straight-line manner over the vesting period of the grant. This resulted in stock-based compensation expense of $1,663,309 (including $813,908 charged to discontinued operations) and $4,206,282 (including $2,258,216 charged to discontinued operations) related to recognition of RSUs during the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  

Dilutive shares at December 31, 2015:
 
Convertible notes and interest:
At December 31, 2015, the Company had outstanding convertible notes payable in the aggregate principal amount of $758,065  with accrued interest of $668,615  convertible at the rate of $0.25 per share into an aggregate of  5,706,720   shares of common stock, and a convertible note payable in the amount of $100,000  convertible at the rate of $1.54 into 64,935 shares of common stock.

Warrants:
At December 31, 2015, the Company had outstanding warrants for holders to purchase the following additional shares: 2,294,493 shares at a price of $0.575 per share; 448,010 shares at a price of $0.55 per share; 94,783 shares at a price of $0.25 per share; and 700,000 shares at a price of $0.01 per share.

Stock Options:
At December 31, 2015, the Company had outstanding options for holders to purchase the following additional shares: 30,000 shares at a price of $3.40 per share; 20,000 shares at a price of $2.40 per share; 500,000 shares at a price of $2.00 per share; 15,000 shares at a price of $1.90 per share; 310,000 shares at a price of $1.60 per share; 100,000 shares at a price of $1.46 per share; 15,000 shares at a price of $1.44 per share; 75,000 shares at a price of $1.31 per share; 225,000 shares at a price of $0.57 per share; 92,500 shares at a price of $0.48 per share; 92,500 shares at a price of $0.474 per share; 92,500 shares at a price of $0.45 per share; 275,000 shares at a price of $0.40 per share; 92,500 shares at a price of $0.38 per share; and 1,170,000 shares at a price of $0.35 per share.

RSUs:
At December 31, 2015, the Company has issued restricted stock units (“RSUs”) for the potential issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock for the purpose of aligning executives and employees of the Company and  for the purpose of compensation for serving as members of the Board of Directors of the Company and for the purposes of retaining qualified personnel at compensation levels that otherwise would not be available should the company have been required to pay certain salaries in cash only. Certain of the RSUs were issued to employees of FD (“FD RSUs”); certain RSUs were issued to the executive officers of the Company (“Executive RSUs”); certain RSUs were issued to the employees of the Company (“Employee RSUs”); and certain RSUs were issued to members of the board of directors of the Company (“Board RSUs”).  On January 1, 2015, the Company issued 70,640 RSUs to employees as a bonus; these RSUs were accrued during the year ended December 31, 2014.  These RSUs vested immediately.  Also on January 1, 2015, the Company issued a total of 350,000 RSUs to its executive officers.  These RSUs were for services provided during the year ended December 31, 2014, and were accrued during the year ended December 31, 2014.  On November 2, 2015, 125,000 RSUs were exercised by the Company’s CEO.  At December 31, 2015, the following Executive RSUs were outstanding:  A total of 797,466 RSUs were vested; 75,000 RSUs will vest on May 1, 2016; 600,000 RSUs will vest on December 31, 2016; and 800,000 will vest on July 1, 2017. An additional 125,000 RSUs will vest contingent upon the attainment of a stock price of $2.00 per share for 20 straight trading days, and an additional 175,000 RSUs will vest contingent  upon the attainment of a stock price of $3.00  per share for 20 straight trading days. The Company estimated that the stock-price goals of the Company’s stock price closing above $2.00 per share for 20 straight days have a 90% likelihood of achievement, and these RSUs were valued at 90% of their face value; the Company also estimated that the likelihood of the Company’s stock closing above $3.00 per share for 20 straight days is 70%, and these RSUs were valued at 70% of their face value.  We recognized stock-based compensation expense of in a straight-line manner over the vesting period of the RSUs.

At December 31, 2015, the following Board RSUs were outstanding: a total of 360,000  RSUs were vested; 360,000 RSUs vest on July 1, 2016; and 360,000 RSUs vest on July 1, 2017.  In June 2015, Sol Mayer resigned from the Company’s board, and 180,000 unvested RSUs were forfeited by Mr. Mayer.

The Employee RSUs were issued to certain nonexecutive employees of the Company either partially in lieu of salary, future bonuses or a combination of both bonus and salary. At December 31, 2015, the following Employee RSUs were outstanding: a total of 70,640 RSUs were vested.


The FD RSUs issued to certain nonexecutive employees of FD were issued either partially in lieu of salary, future bonuses or a combination of both bonus and salary.  At December 31, 2015, the following FD were outstanding: a total of 1,200,000  RSUs were vested; 900,000 RSUs will vest on December 31, 2016; and 1,200,000 RSUs will vest on July 1, 2017.  An additional 350,000 RSUs will vest contingent upon the Company’s stock price closing at or above $2.50 per share for 20 consecutive trading days.


Concentrations of Credit Risk
 
Financial instruments and related items, which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents and trade receivables. The Company places its cash and temporary cash in investments with credit quality institutions. At times, such investments may be in excess of applicable government mandated insurance limit. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, trade receivables from the Company’s largest customer amount to 44% and 60%, respectively, of total trade receivables.
 
Stock-based Compensation

We use the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model to estimate the fair value of options granted. The Black-Scholes option valuation model requires the use of assumptions, including the expected term of the award and the expected stock price volatility. We used the Company’s historical volatility to estimate expected stock price volatility. The risk-free rate assumption was based on United States Treasury instruments whose terms were consistent with the expected term of the stock option. The expected dividend assumption was based on the Company’s history and expectation of dividend payouts.

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) were measured based on the fair market values of the underlying stock on the dates of grant. RSUs awarded may be conditional upon the attainment of one or more performance objectives over a specified period. At the end of the performance period, if the goals are attained, the awards are granted. Stock-based compensation expense was calculated based on awards ultimately expected to vest and was reduced for estimated forfeitures at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differed from those estimates. The estimated annual forfeiture rates for stock options and RSUs are based on the Company’s historical forfeiture experience. The estimated fair value of stock options and RSUs is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting term of the grant. Compensation expense is recorded over the requisite service period based on management’s best estimate as to whether it is probable that the shares awarded are expected to vest. Management assesses the probability of the performance milestones being met on a continuous basis.
 
Options expense during the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 are summarized in the table below:
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
 
2016
   
2015
 
 
           
Option expense
 
$
19,752
   
$
195,385
 
 
RSUs expense during the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 are summarized in the table below:

 
 
December 31,
 
 
 
2016
   
2015
 
 
           
RSUs expense – Continuing operations
 
$
849,401
   
$
1,948,066
 
RSUs expense – Discontinued operations
   
813,908
     
2,258,216
 
Total
 
$
1,663,309
   
$
4,206,282
 

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to conform prior period data to the current presentation.
 
New Accounting Pronouncements
 
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-2, which creates ASC Topic 842, “Leases.” This update increases transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. We are evaluating what impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures.
 
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-9, which amends ASC Topic 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation.” This amendment simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We are evaluating what impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures.
 
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15 which amends ASC Topic 230, “Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.” The amendments in this Update address eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. The update outlines the classification of specific transactions as either cash inflows or outflows from financing activities, operating activities, investing activities or non-cash activities. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We are evaluating what impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or financial disclosures.
 
Management reviewed currently issued pronouncements during the year ended December 31, 2016, and does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the accompanying condensed financial statements.
 
2.  DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

Effective February 23, 2016, the Company closed a transaction to sell 90% of our ownership in The Fresh Diet, Inc. (“FD”) to New Fresh Co., LLC, a Florida limited liability company controlled by the former founder of FD who was appointed Interim CEO of FD.  The consideration to Innovative Food Holdings consisted 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. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Company accrued the amount of $850,000 representing the amount due based on an agreement signed in 2017.  The agreement involved the purchase of rights to 1,450,000 RSUs and the purchase of 642,688 shares of the Company’s common stock  (see note 18).
 
ASC 360-10-45-9 requires that a long-lived asset (disposal group) to be sold shall be classified as held for sale in the period in which a set of criteria have been met, including criteria that the sale of the asset (disposal group) is probable and actions required to complete the plan indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn. This criteria was achieved on February 9, 2016. Additionally, the discontinued operations are comprised of the entirety of FD,  excluding corporate services expenses. Lastly, for comparability purposes certain prior period line items relating to the assets held for sale have been reclassified and  presented as discontinued operations for all periods presented in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of net loss and comprehensive loss and the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
 

The following information presents the major classes of line item of assets and liabilities included as part of discontinued operations in the consolidated balance sheets:
 
 
 
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
 
 
2016
   
2015
 
Current assets - discontinued operations:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
-
   
$
491,969
 
Inventory
   
-
     
173,987
 
Other current assets
   
-
     
640,137
 
Due from related parties
   
-
     
461,240
 
Total current assets - discontinued operations
 
$
-
   
$
1,767,333
 
 
               
Noncurrent assets - discontinued operations:
               
Property and equipment, net
 
$
-
   
$
802,843
 
Intangible assets, net
   
-
     
3,862,711
 
Total noncurrent assets - discontinued operations
 
$
-
   
$
4,665,554
 
 
               
 
               
 
               
Current liabilities - discontinued operations:
               
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
$
-
   
$
3,022,466
 
Deferred revenue
   
-
     
5,035,906
 
Accrued liabilities - related parties
   
-
     
135,935
 
Accrued interest
   
-
     
58,943
 
Revolving credit facilities
   
-
     
211,211
 
Notes payable, current portion
   
-
     
528,594
 
Deferred tax liability
   
-
     
1,069,200
 
Contingent liabilities
   
-
     
450,000
 
Total current liabilities - discontinued operations:
 
$
-
   
$
10,512,255
 
 
               
Long term liabilities - discontinued operations:
               
Note payable - long term portion
   
-
     
101,181
 
Notes payable - related parties, long term portion
   
-
     
2,199,970
 
Total long term liabilities - discontinued operations
 
$
-
   
$
2,301,151
 
 
The following information presents the major classes of line items constituting the after-tax  loss from  discontinued operations in the  consolidated statements of operations:
 
 
 
For the Year Ended
 
 
 
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
 
 
2016
   
2015
 
Revenue
 
$
2,389,950
   
$
17,426,760
 
Cost of goods sold
   
1,764,834
     
13,787,300
 
Gross margin
   
625,116
     
3,639,460
 
 
               
Impairment of goodwill
   
-
     
16,614,373
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
4,244,192
     
13,742,846
 
Total operating expenses
   
4,244,192
     
30,357,219
 
 
               
Operating loss
   
(3,619,076
)
   
(26,717,759
)
 
               
Other (income) expense:
               
Gain on sale of discontinued operations
   
(7,201,196
)
   
-
 
Interest expense, net
   
10,820
     
85,529
 
Other (income)
   
-
     
(800
)
Total other (income) expense
   
(7,190,376
)
   
84,729
 
 
               
Income (loss)  from discontinued operations, net of tax
 
$
3,571,300
   
$
(26,802,488
)
 

The following information presents the major classes of line items constituting significant operating and investing cash flow activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows relating to discontinued operations:
 
 
 
For the Year Ended
 
 
 
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
 
 
2016
   
2015
 
Cash Flow: Major line items
           
 
           
Depreciation and Amortization
   
107,009
     
1,033,465
 
Impairment of goodwill
   
-
     
16,614,373
 
Non-cash compensation
   
1,028,908
     
2,258,216
 
Purchase of equipment
   
(6,296
)
   
(150,606
)
Cash from revolving credit facilities
   
685,959
     
4,537,125
 
Payments made on revolving credit facilities
   
(641,831
)
   
(4,686,785
)
Principal payments made on notes payable
   
(7,074
)
   
(72,058
)
Principal payments made on capital leases
   
(8,094
)
   
(188,143
)

The components of the gain on sale and income from discontinued operations are as follows:
 
 
 
February 22, 2016
 
 
     
Receivable due from buyer, net of reserve of $8,700,000
 
$
-
 
Net proceeds  from sale of assets and liabilities
   
-
 
 
       
Assets sold
   
(6,225,073
)
Liabilities sold
   
13,426,269
 
   Net liabilities sold
   
7,201,196
 
 
       
Gain on sale
   
7,201,196
 
 
       
Loss from discontinued operations before income tax
   
(3,629,896
)
Income tax expense
   
-
 
 
       
Income from discontinued operations
 
$
3,571,300
 
 
3. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
 
At December 31, 2016 and 2015, accounts receivable consists of:
 
 
 
2016
   
2015
 
Accounts receivable from customers
 
$
1,546,518
   
$
1,706,948
 
Allowance for doubtful accounts
   
(8,123
)
   
(56,364
)
Accounts receivable, net
 
$
1,538,395
   
$
1,650,584
 

4. INVENTORY
 
Inventory consists  of specialty food products.  At December 31, 2016 and 2015, inventory consisted of the following:

 
 
2016
   
2015
 
Finished Goods Inventory
 
$
815,033
   
$
920,885
 
  

5. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT  

Acquisition of Building

The Company owns 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 approximately 10,000 square feet of combined office and warehouse space, and was purchased as part of a bank short sale.  The Company moved its operations to these premises on July 15, 2013. The purchase price of the property was $792,758.

On May 14, 2015, the Company 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 LIBOR rate plus 3.0%.  The building is used for office and warehouse space for the Company’s Artisan subsidiary.  During the twelve months ended December 31, 2015, the Company paid a total of $474,301 for various building improvements, furniture, fixtures, and equipment related to this property.  Depreciation on the building and the related improvements, furniture, fixtures, and equipment  began  when  the Company occupied the facility  in October, 2015.

A summary of property and equipment at December 31, 2016 and 2015 is as follows:
 
 
 
December 31,
2016
   
December 31,
2015
 
Land
 
$
385,523
   
$
385,523
 
Building
   
1,326,165
     
1,326,165
 
Computer and Office Equipment
   
466,177
     
466,177
 
Warehouse Equipment
   
226,953
     
197,561
 
Furniture and Fixtures
   
454,743
     
451,346
 
Vehicles
   
40,064
     
40,064
 
Total before accumulated depreciation
   
2,899,625
     
2,866,836
 
Less: accumulated depreciation
   
(831,515
)
   
(673,373
)
Total
 
$
2,068,110
   
$
2,193,463
 
 
Depreciation and amortization expense for property and equipment amounted to $158,143 and $84,625  for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

6. INVESTMENTS

The Company has made investments in certain early stage food related companies which it expects can benefit from synergies with the Company’s various operating businesses.  During the twelve months end December 31, 2015, the Company sold one of these investments with a cost of $54,000  for cash of $59,400, resulting in a gain of $5,400.  During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Company acquired a 5.81% equity interest in a food related company for the amount of $51,525, consisting of the conversion to equity of a loan receivable from the investee in the amount $10,863 and the conversion of trade receivable from the investee in the amount of $40,662.  At December 31, 2016, the Company has investments in four food related companies in the aggregate amount of $208,983.  At December 31, 2016, the Company does not have significant influence over the operations of the companies it invests in.

7. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The Company acquired certain  intangible assets pursuant to the acquisition of Artisan, OFB, and the acquisition of certain assets of Haley.    The following is the net book value of these assets:
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
       
Accumulated
       
 
 
Gross
   
Amortization
   
Net
 
Trade Name
 
$
217,000
   
$
-
   
$
217,000
 
Non-Compete Agreement
   
244,000
     
(244,000
)
   
-
 
Customer Relationships
   
1,130,994
     
(791,310
)
   
339,684
 
Goodwill
   
151,000
     
-
     
151,000
 
Total
 
$
1,742,994
   
$
(1,035,310
)
 
$
707,684
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
       
Accumulated
       
 
 
Gross
   
Amortization
   
Net
 
Trade Name
 
$
217,000
   
$
-
   
$
217,000
 
Non-Compete Agreement
   
244,000
     
(213,500
)
   
30,500
 
Customer Relationships
   
1,130,994
     
(589,042
)
   
541,952
 
Goodwill
   
151,000
     
-
     
151,000
 
Total
 
$
1,742,994
   
$
(802,542
)
 
$
940,452
 
 
Total amortization expense charged to operations for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $232,768 and $299,825, respectively.

Amortization of finite life intangible assets as of December 31, 2016 is as follows:

2017
 
$
202,270
 
2018
   
137,408
 
2019
   
-
 
2020
   
-
 
2021 and thereafter
   
-
 
Total
 
$
339,678
 
 
The trade names are not considered finite-lived assets, and are not being amortized.  The non-compete agreement is being amortized over a period of 48 months.  The customer relationships acquired in the Artisan and Haley transactions are being amortized over periods of 60 months.
 
As detailed in ASC 350, the Company tests for goodwill impairment in the fourth quarter of each year and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value and may not be recoverable.  As detailed in ASC 350-20-35-3A, in performing its testing for goodwill impairment, management has completed a qualitative analysis to determine whether it was more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. To complete this review, management followed the steps in ASC 350-20-35-3C to evaluate the fair value of goodwill and considered all known events and circumstances that might trigger an impairment of goodwill. The analysis completed in 2016 and 2015  determined that there was no impairment to goodwill assets related to the Artisan and Haley transactions.


8. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are as follows:
 
 
 
December 31,
2016
   
December 31,
2015
 
Trade payables
 
$
1,547,603
   
$
1,623,856
 
Accrued costs of discontinued operations
   
1,478,887
     
-
 
Accrued payroll and commissions
   
93,043
     
78,670
 
Total
 
$
3,119,533
   
$
1,702,526
 
 
At December 31, 2016 and 2015, accrued liabilities to related parties consisted of accrued payroll and payroll related benefits of $65,000  and $458,710, respectively.
 
9.  ACCRUED INTEREST
 
At December 31, 2016, accrued interest was $626,873, convertible at the option of the note holders into the Company’s common stock a price of $0.25 per share, or a total of 2,507,492 shares. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Company paid cash for interest in the aggregate amount of $96,318.    
 
At December 31, 2015, accrued interest was $667,845,  including $54,150 payable to a related party.  Of this amount, $668,615 (including $54,150 to a related party) is convertible at the option of the note holders into the Company’s common stock a price of $0.25 per share, or a total of 2,674,460 shares. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2015, the Company paid cash for interest in the aggregate amount of $68,754.  The due date of accrued interest in the amount of $614,465 was extended to July 1, 2017 pursuant to an amendment to the September 2015 Notes Payable Extension Agreement (See Note 11) and is classified as a long-term liability on the Company’s balance sheet at December 31, 2015.  

10. REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITIES
 
   
December 31,
2016
   
December 31,
2015
 
 
           
Line of credit facility with Fifth Third Bank in the original amount of $1,000,000 with an interest rate of LIBOR plus 3.25%. In August 2015, the amount of the credit facility was increased to $1,500,000 and the due date was extended to August 1, 2016. In August 2016, this credit facility was extended to August 1, 2017. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Company made net borrowings in the amount of $120,000 from this facility, and transferred principal in the amount of $1,200,000 from this credit facility to a new term loan established with Fifth Third Bank. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded interest expense in the amount of $27,352.
 
$
-
   
$
1,380,000
 
 
               
Total 
 
$
-
   
$
1,380,000
 
 

11. NOTES PAYABLE AND NOTES PAYABLE TO RELATED PARTIES
 
 
 
December 31,
2016
   
December 31,
2015
 
 
           
Term loan dated as of August 5, 2016 in the original amount of $1,200,000 payable to Fifth Third Bank. This loan is secured by the Company’s tangible and intangible personal property and bears interest at the rate of LIBOR plus 4.5%.  Principal payments in the amount of $66,667 are due monthly along with accrued interest beginning September 5, 2016. The entire principal balance and all accrued interest is due on the maturity date of February 5, 2018. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Company transferred principal in the amount of $1,200,000 from the line of credit facility with Fifth Third Bank into this term loan.  During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Company made principal and interest payments in the amount of $285,967 and $22,886, respectively, on this loan.
 
$
914,033
   
$
-
 
 
               
Secured mortgage note payable for the acquisition of land and building in Bonita Springs, Florida in the amount of $546,000. Principal payments of $4,550 and interest at the rate of Libor plus 3% are due monthly. The balance of the principal amount will be due February 28, 2018. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Company made payments of principal and interest in the amounts of $54,600 and $12,933, respectively
   
336,700
     
391,300
 
 
               
Secured mortgage note payable for the acquisition of land and building in Broadview, Illinois in the amount of $980,000. Payments of $8,167 including principal and interest at the rate of LIBOR plus 2.75% are due monthly through April 2020, the remaining principal balance in the amount of $490,000 will be due May 29, 2020. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Company made payments of principal and interest in the amounts of $98,000 and $29,365, respectively.
   
824,833
     
922,833
 
                 
A total of 17 convertible notes payable in the aggregate amount of $647,565 (the “Convertible Notes Payable”). Certain of the Convertible Notes Payable contain cross default provisions, and are secured by subordinated interest in a majority of the Company’s assets. The Convertible Notes Payable bear interest at the rate of 1.9% per annum; principal and accrued interest are convertible into common stock of the Company at a conversion price of $0.25 per share; however, the interest may be paid in cash by the Company and certain limited amounts of principle may also be prepaid in cash. Effective May 13, 2014, the due date of these notes was extended from May 15, 2014 to December 31, 2015, and a discount to the notes in the aggregate amount of $732,565 was recorded to recognize the value of the beneficial conversion feature embedded in the extension of the term of the notes. In March 2015 the notes were further extended to January 1, 2016.  On September 30, 2015, the notes in the amount of $647,565 were further extended to July 1, 2017, and a discount in the amount of $647,565 was recorded to recognize the value of the beneficial conversion featured embedded in the extension of the term of the notes.  During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, $370,036 of this discount was charged to operations. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Company accrued interest in the amount of $12,408 on these notes.
   
647,565
     
647,565
 
                 
An unsecured note to Sam Klepfish for $164,650 which may not be prepaid without Mr. Klepfish’s consent, originally carrying an interest rate of 8% per annum and  no due date.  As of July 1, 2014, the interest rate was reduced to 1.9% and as of November 17, 2014 the interest rate was further reduced to 0%. During the three months ended December 31, 2015, interest in the amount of $54,150 was capitalized, and the aggregate principal amount of $164,650 was extended to July 1, 2017. This note and accrued interest are convertible into common stock of the Company at a conversion price of $0.25 per share.
   
164,650
     
164,650
 
 
   
December 31,
2016
   
December 31,
2015
 
 
           
Promissory note in the amount of $200,000 bearing interest at the rate of 1% per annum issued in connection with the OFB acquisition. Principal in the amount of $100,000 was due June 30, 2015; this payment was made in July 2015 within the 5 day grace period stipulated in the note agreement. The note was convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at the conversion price of $1.54 per share. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Company paid accrued interest in the amount $1,010 and paid interest in the amount of $2,010 on this note. In July 2016, the Company made a principal payment in the amount of $100,000 which satisfied this note in full.
 
$
-
   
$
100,000
 
 
               
Promissory note payable to Alpha Capital in the amount of $469,010 dated November 6, 2015 bearing interest at the rate of 9.9% per annum.  This note is unsecured, and became due December 6, 2015. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 the Company accrued interest expense in the amount of $9,525, on this note. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Company paid principal and accrued interest in the amounts of $469,010 and $15,798, respectively, which satisfied this note in full.
   
-
     
469,010
 
 
               
Promissory note payable to Alpha Capital in the amount of $176,005 dated November 20, 2015 bearing interest at the rate of 9.9% per annum.  This note is unsecured, and became due December 20, 2015. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the  Company accrued interest expense in the amount of $3,533 on this note.  During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Company paid principal and accrued interest in the amounts of $176,005 and $5,490, respectively,  which satisfied this note in full.
   
-
     
176,005
 
 
               
Capital lease obligations under a lease agreement for a forklift payable in thirty-six monthly installments of $274 including interest at the rate of 4.46%. During the twelve ended December 31, 2016, the Company made principal and interest payments in the amount of $2,958 and $330, respectively.
   
5,778
     
-
 
                 
Capital lease obligations under a lease agreement for a forklift payable in thirty-six monthly installments of $579 including interest at the rate of 4.83%. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Company made principal and interest payments in the amount of $1,004 and $54, respectively.
   
18,354
         
                 
Total
 
$
2,911,913
   
$
2,871,363
 
 
               
Less: Discount
   
(185,020
)
   
(555,056
)
 
               
Net
 
$
2,726,893
   
$
2,316,307
 
Current maturities, net of discount
 
$
1,589,082
   
$
897,615
 
Long-term portion, net of discount
   
1,137,811
     
1,418,692
 
Total
 
$
2,726,893
   
$
2,316,307
 

 
 
For the Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2016
   
2015
 
Discount on Notes Payable amortized to interest expense:
 
$
370,036
   
$
489,187
 
 
At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had unamortized discounts to notes payable in the aggregate amount of $185,020 and $555,056, respectively.


Aggregate maturities of long-term notes payable as of December 31, 2016 are as follows:

For the twelve months ended December 31,
 
2017
 
$
1,774,102
 
2018
   
276,373
 
2019
   
157,705
 
2020
   
585,433
 
2021
   
54,600
 
Thereafter
   
63,700
 
Total
 
$
2,911,913
 

 
Beneficial Conversion Features

The Company calculates the fair value of any beneficial conversion features embedded in its convertible notes via the Black-Scholes valuation method. The Company also calculates the fair value of any detachable warrants offered with its convertible notes via the Black-Scholes valuation method.  The instruments were considered discounts to the notes, to the extent the aggregate value of the warrants and conversion features did not exceed the face value of the notes. These discounts were amortized to interest expense via the effective interest method over the term of the notes.  

September 2015 Notes Payable Extension Agreement

Effective September 30, 2015, the Company entered into agreements (the “2015 Notes Payable Extension Agreement”) with certain convertible notes holders regarding seventeen convertible notes in the aggregate amount of $647,565 in principal and related accrued interest  whereby the maturity date of each note and accrued interest was extended to July 1, 2017. At December 31, 2015, accrued interest related to these convertible notes payable was an aggregate of $614,465; this amount is classified as a long term liability on the Company’s balance sheet.   In addition, the expiration dates of the following warrants were to extended to July 1, 2017: warrants to purchase 2,294,493 shares of common stock at a price of $0.575, with a previous expiration date of February 1, 2017; warrants to purchase 448,012 shares of common stock at a price of $0.55, with a previous expiration date of February 1, 2017; and warrants to purchase 94,783 shares of common stock at a price of $0.25, with a previous expiration date of February 1, 2016.  At September 30, 2015, the Company wrote-off the balance of the existing balance of the discount on convertible notes payable in the amount of $198,364, and recorded a new discount on the convertible notes which was attributable to the 2015 Notes Payable Extension Agreement in the aggregate amount of $647,565, which was charged to additional paid-in capital.  The discount will be amortized over the term of the related notes.  During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, $370,036 and $92,509 of this discount was amortized to interest expense, respectively.

The following table illustrates certain key information regarding our conversion option valuation assumptions at December 31, 2016 and 2015 for options underlying both principal and convertible accrued interest:
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
 
2016
   
2015
 
Number of conversion options outstanding
   
5,756,352
     
5,771,655
 
Value at December 31
 
$
N/A
   
$
N/A
 
Number of conversion options issued during the period
   
49,632
     
50,736
 
Value of conversion options issued during the period
 
$
N/A
   
$
N/A
 
Number of conversion options exercised or underlying
notes paid during the period
   
64,935
     
64,935
 
Value of conversion options exercised or underlying  
notes paid during the period
 
$
N/A
   
$
N/A
 
Revaluation loss (gain) during the period
 
$
N/A
   
$
N/A
 
 

12. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
For the year ended December 31, 2016:

At December 31, 2015, the Company had an accrued liability in the amount of $160,150 representing an aggregate of 210,520 shares of common stock to be issued to officers, directors, and employees for services performed during 2013; during the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Company issued 210,520 RSUs in exchange of this liability.  Also at December 31, 2015, the Company had an accrued liability in the amount of $157,780 representing 244,620 RSUs to be issued to officers and employees as a bonus for services performed in 2015;  during the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Company issued an aggregate of 244,620  RSUs  in exchange  of this liability.
 
During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Company issued 95,000 shares of its common stock to an ex-Director of the Company pursuant to the exercise of RSUs.

During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Company purchased the following options held by three of its officers and one of its directors: options to purchase an aggregate 92,500  shares of the Company’s common stock exercisable at a price of $0.38 per share were purchased for a total amount of $10,175, and options to purchase an aggregate 275,000 shares of the Company’s common stock exercisable at a price of $0.40 per share were purchased for a total amount of $24,750. The purchase price was calculated as the excess of the closing market price of the Company’s stock on the purchase date over the exercise price of the options.

For the year ended December 31, 2015:

In January 2015, the Company extended the expiration date to December 31, 2015 of certain options to purchase a total of 277,500 shares of the Company’s common stock which were held by board members and key employees.  The Company valued the options at the extended due dates using the Black-Scholes valuation model, and charged the amount of $146 to operations during the period ended December 31, 2015.  In December 2015, the Company extended the expiration date to December 31, 2016 of certain options to purchase a total of 370,000 shares of the Company’s common stock which were held by board members and key employees. The Company valued the options at the extended  due dates using the Black Scholes valuation model, and charged the amount of $89,407 to operations during the period ended December 31, 2015.  
 
In November 2015, the Company issued 125,000 shares of common stock to an officer for the exercise of RSUs.

In December 2015, the Company’s board of directors agreed to issue 107,501 shares of the Company’s common stock with a fair value of $75,000 to the Company’s President as a bonus.  Accordingly, the value was accrued at December 31, 2015.
 
13. INCOME TAXES

Deferred income taxes result from the temporary differences primarily attributable to amortization of intangible assets and debt discount  and an accumulation of net operating loss carryforwards for income tax purposes with a valuation allowance against the carryforwards for book purposes. 
      
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Included in deferred tax assets are Federal and State net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $13.2  million, which will expire through 2036.  The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Due to significant changes in the Company’s ownership, the Company’s future use of its existing net operating losses may be limited. 
 
The provision (benefit) for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 consist of the following:
 
 
 
2016
   
2015
 
 
           
Current
 
$
-
   
$
-
 
Deferred
   
-
     
-
 
Total
 
$
-
   
$
-
 
 

The provision (benefit) for income taxes differs from the amount of income tax determined by applying the applicable statutory income tax rate of 39.6% for the December 31, 2016 and 2015 to the loss before taxes as a result of the following differences:
 
 
 
2016
   
2015
 
Income (loss) before income taxes
 
$
2,816,405
   
$
(373,603
)
Statutory tax rate
   
39.6
%
   
39.6
%
Total tax at statutory rate
   
1,115,000
     
(148,000
)
Temporary differences
   
235,000
     
37,500
 
Permanent differences - restructuring
   
(4,070,500
)
   
-
 
Permanent  difference – meals and entertainment
   
5,000
     
10,000
 
Permanent differences- non cash compensation, derivatives and discount amortization
   
463,000
     
1,155,000
 
Total
   
(2,252,500
)
   
1,054,500
 
Changes in valuation allowance
   
2,252,500
     
(1,054,500
)
 
               
Income tax expense
 
$
-
   
$
-
 
 
Deferred income taxes reflect the tax impact of temporary differences between the amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and such amounts as measured by tax laws and regulations.
  
Deferred income taxes include the net tax effects of net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards and the temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.  As of December 31, 2016 and 2015 significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets are as follows:
 
 
 
2016
   
2015
 
Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities):
           
Net operating loss carryforwards
 
$
5,238,000
   
$
2,998,500
 
Allowance for doubtful accounts
   
17,000
     
11,000
 
Property and equipment
   
(87,000
)
   
(87,000
)
Intangible assets
   
(220,000
)
   
(372,000
)
Debt discount
   
74,000
     
219,000
 
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)
   
5,022,000
     
2,769,500
 
Valuation allowance
   
(5,022,000
)
   
(2,769,500
)
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)
 
$
-
   
$
-
 
 
The Company’s tax returns for the previous three years remain open for audit by the respective tax jurisdictions.
  
14. EQUITY

Common Stock

At December 31, 2016 and 2015, a total of 733,662 and 700,663 shares, respectively, are deemed issued but not outstanding by the Company.

Twelve months ended December 31, 2016:

The Company issued 25,000 shares of common stock with a fair value of $34,000 to a service provider.  The value of these shares was accrued during the twelve months ended December 31, 2015.
 
The Company issued an aggregate of 600,000 shares of common stock to an employee of FD  pursuant to a separation agreement. These shares were issued as follows: 300,000 of these shares were issued for the exercise of RSUs held by the employee, and an additional 300,000 shares were charged to discontinued operations at the fair value of $147,000.
 
The Company issued 133,333 shares of common stock to an employee of FD  pursuant to an employee agreement.  The fair value of these shares in the amount of $68,000 was charged to discontinued operations during the period.

The Company issued 200,000 shares of common stock to an employee of  FD t pursuant to a separation agreement.   These shares were issued via the exercise of RSUs; the par value of $20 was charged to additional paid-in capital during the period.

The Company charged the amount of $317,930 to additional paid-in capital for the value of RSUs previously accrued for officer and director compensation.
 
 
The Company reduced additional paid-in capital by the amount of $620,000 for the value of 642,688 shares of the Company’s common stock and rights to 1,450,000 RSUs. These equity instruments were purchased  pursuant to an agreement subsequent to December 31, 2016. See note 18.
 
The Company issued 95,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the exercises of RSUs by an ex-director.
 
Twelve months ended December 31, 2015:
 
On March 6, 2015, the Company  completed a round of financing of $3,061,618 through the sale of 3,178,420 restricted shares of our common stock at a price per share of $0.9646.  Simultaneously, the Company also raised an additional $1,226,978 through the sale of 943,829 restricted shares of its common stock at a price per share of $1.30 for total proceeds of $4,288,596.  Approximately 2.1 Million shares are subject to a one year lock up.  No warrants or other convertible securities were involved in the financing and the financing was completed by officers of the Company without requiring the services of a placement agent or the payment of any fees or commissions.  The financing was an exempt private placement under Regulation D (Rule 506(b)) with offers and sales made only to “accredited investors” without the use of public advertising.
 
On March 6, 2015, the Company paid $3,000,000 cash for the purpose of acquiring, in a block sale, the shares of Monolith Ventures Ltd, a former shareholder of FD, who agreed to sell its position of 3,110,063 shares at a price of $0.9646 per share. The Company cancelled these 3,110,063 shares during the three months ended March 31, 2015.

On March 18, 2015, the Company issued 727,272 shares of common stock to Alpha Capital Anstalt for cash proceeds of $400,000 upon the exercise of warrants with an exercise price of $0.55 per share.

On April 21, 2015, the Company issued 150,000 shares of common stock to Lou Haley, at $0.25 per share, which was previously accrued in the amount of $37,500 pursuant to the terms of the acquisition of The Haley Group.
 
On March 28, 2015, the Company issued 40,000 shares of common stock to Michael Ferrone pursuant to the exercise of 40,000 stock options with an exercise price of $0.38 per share, for cash proceeds of $15,200.

On June 4, 2015, the Company agreed to issue 150,000 shares of common stock Michael Ferrone  pursuant to the exercise of 150,000 stock options with a weighted average exercise price of $0.444 per share, for cash proceeds of $66,660.

On June 1, 2015, the Company agreed to issue 30,000 shares of common stock with a fair value of $39,000  to a service provider. 

On September 25, 2015, the Company agreed to issue 533,913 shares of common stock pursuant to the exercise of warrants with a purchase price of $0.575 per share, for cash proceeds of $307,000.

On September 30, 2015, the Company recorded the issuance of 25,000 shares of common stock with a fair value of $42,500 to an employee pursuant to an employment agreement.

On October 22, 2015, the Company issued 21,126 shares of common stock with a fair value of $21,126 to Lou Haley pursuant to a bonus agreement.

On November 2, 2015, the Company issued 125,000 shares of common stock with a value of $125,000 to an officer for the exercise of RSUs.

On December 28, 2015, the Company issued 15,000 shares of common stock with a fair value of $10,500 to an employee as a bonus.

On December 30, 2015, the Company issued 25,000 shares of common stock with a value of $34,000 to a service provider.

Treasury Stock

During the three months ended June 30, 2016, the  Company repurchased 33,000 shares of common stock at a share price of $0.45 per share.  The value of these shares in the amount of $14,850 has been recorded in treasury stock. At December 31, 2016, the Company has a total of 519,254 shares of common stock which are held in treasury stock at a cost of $174,949.

Warrants  
 
The following table summarizes the significant terms of warrants outstanding at December 31, 2016. These warrants may be settled in cash or if the warrants do not have an effective registration for the shares underlying the warrants, they can be settled via cashless conversion into shares of the Company’s common stock at the request of the warrant holder. These warrants were granted as part of a financing agreement:
 
           
Weighted
   
Weighted
         
Weighted
 
           
average
   
average
         
average
 
Range of
   
Number of
   
remaining
   
exercise
         
exercise
 
exercise
   
warrants
   
contractual
   
price of
   
Number of
   
price of
 
Prices
   
Outstanding
   
life (years)
   
outstanding Warrants
   
warrants Exercisable
   
exercisable Warrants
 
$
0.010
   
 
700,000
   
 
3.38
   
$
0.010
   
 
700,000
   
$
0.010
 
                                             
$
0.250
     
94,783
     
0.50
   
$
0.250
     
94,783
   
$
0.250
 
                                             
$
0.550
     
448,010
     
0.50
   
$
0.550
     
448,010
   
$
0.550
 
                                             
$
0.575
     
2,294,491
     
0.50
   
$
0.575
     
2,294,491
   
$
0.575
 
         
3,537,284
     
1.07
   
$
0.451
     
3,537,284
   
$
0.451
 
 
Transactions involving warrants are summarized as follows:
 
 
       
Weighted
Average
 
 
 
Number of
Shares
   
Exercise
Price
 
Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2014
   
4,798,469
   
$
0.480
 
 
               
Granted
   
-
   
$
-
 
Exercised
   
(1,261,185
)
 
$
0.561
 
Cancelled / Expired
   
-
     
-
 
Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2015
   
3,537,284
   
$
0.451
 
 
               
Exercised
   
-
   
$
-
 
Cancelled / Expired
   
-
   
$
-
 
Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2016
   
3,537,284
   
$
0.451
 

Options

Twelve months ended December 31, 2016:

During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Company agreed to purchase the following options held by three of its officers and one of its directors: options to purchase an aggregate 92,500  shares of the Company’s common stock exercisable at a price of $0.38 per share were purchased for a total amount of $10,175,  and options to purchase an aggregate 275,000 shares of the Company’s common stock exercisable at a price of $0.40 per share were purchased for a total amount of $24,750. The aggregate purchase price was $34,925.  The purchase price was calculated as the excess of the closing market price of the Company’s stock on the purchase date over the exercise price of the options. The Company completed this transaction acquisition in January 2017.
 
Also during the year, the following options expired: options to purchase 92,500 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $0.45 per share; options to purchase 92,500 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $0.474 per share; options to purchase 92,500 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $0.48 per share; and options to purchase 15,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $1.44 per share.


Twelve months ended December 31, 2015:

During the twelve months ended December 31, 2015, the Company granted options to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock at a price of $2.40 per share and options to purchase 30,000 shares of common stock at a price of $3.40 per share to a service provider. The fair value of these options in the amount of $6,894 was charged to operations during the period.

Also during the twelve months ended December 31, 2015, a total of 190,000 options were exercised for cash proceeds of $81,860.

The following table summarizes the changes outstanding and the related prices for the options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock issued by the Company:  
 
                 
Weighted
         
Weighted
 
           
Weighted
   
average
         
average
 
           
average
   
exercise
         
exercise
 
Range of
   
Number of
   
Remaining
   
price of
   
Number of
   
price of
 
exercise
   
options
   
contractual
   
outstanding
   
options
   
exercisable
 
Prices
   
Outstanding
   
life (years)
   
Options
   
Exercisable
   
Options
 
$
0.350
     
1,170,000
     
0.66
   
$
0.350
     
1,170,000
   
$
0.350
 
                                             
$
0.570
     
225,000
     
1.00
   
$
0.570
     
225,000
   
$
0.570
 
                                             
$
1.310
     
75,000
     
1.67
   
$
1.310
     
75,000
   
$
1.310
 
                                             
$
1.460
     
100,000
     
1.50
   
$
1.460
     
100,000
   
$
1.460
 
                                             
$
1.600
     
310,000
     
1.00
   
$
1.600
     
310,000
   
$
1.600
 
                                             
$
1.900
     
15,000
     
0.84
   
$
1.900
     
15,000
   
$
1.900
 
                                             
$
2.000
     
500,000
     
0.16
   
$
2.000
     
500,000
   
$
2.000
 
                                             
$
2.400
     
20,000
     
1.41
   
$
2.400
     
20,000
   
$
2.400
 
                                             
$
3.400
     
30,000
     
1.41
   
$
3.400
     
30,000
   
$
3.400
 
       
 
2,445,000
     
0.72
   
$
1.005
     
2,445,000
   
$
1.005
 

Transactions involving stock options are summarized as follows:
 
 
 
Options
   
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2014
   
3,245,000
   
$
0.822
 
 
               
Issued
   
50,000
   
$
3.000
 
Exercised
   
(190,000
)
   
0.431
 
Forfeited or expired
   
-
     
-
 
Outstanding as December 31, 2015
   
3,105,000
   
$
0.827
 
 
               
Issued
   
-
     
-
 
Exercised or Purchased by Company
   
(327,500
)
   
0.397
 
Forfeited or expired
   
(332,500
)
   
0.501
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2016
   
2,445,000
   
$
1.005
 
 
Aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $0 and $503,030, respectively.  Aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the fiscal period, which was $0.45  and $0.645 as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and the exercise price multiplied by the number of options outstanding.

During the year  ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company charged $19,752  and $195,385, respectively, to operations related to recognized stock-based compensation expense for stock options.  
 
During the twelve months ended December 31, 2015, the Company extended the expiration date to December 31, 2015 of certain options to purchase a total of 277,500 shares of the Company’s common stock which were held by board members and key employees.  The Company valued the options at the extended due dates using the Black-Scholes valuation model, and charged the amount of $146 to operations during the period ended twelve month ended December 31, 2015.  In December 2015, the Company further extended the term of these options to December 31, 2016, and valued the options at the extended due dates using the Black-Scholes valuation model, and charged an additional $89,407 to operations during the period ended twelve month ended December 31, 2015.

The exercise price grant dates in relation to the market price during 2016 and 2015 are as follows:

 
 
2016
   
2015
 
Exercise price lower than market price
   
-
     
-
 
 
               
Exercise price equal to market price
   
-
     
-
 
 
               
Exercise price exceeded market price
  $
0.57 to $3.50
   
$
2.40 to $3.40
 
 
As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, there were 0  and 75,000, respectively, non-vested options outstanding.
 
Accounting for warrants and stock options

The Company valued warrants and options using the Black-Scholes valuation model utilizing the following variables: 
 
 
 
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
 
 
2016
   
2015
 
Volatility
   
N/A
%
 
47.35% to 57.56
%
Dividends
 
$
N/A
   
$
-
 
Risk-free interest rates
   
N/A
%
 
0.14% to 0.99
%
Term (years)
   
N/A
   
0.17 to 3.00
 
 
Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”)

At December 31, 2016, the Company has issued restricted stock units (“RSUs”) for the potential issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock for the purpose of aligning executives and employees of the Company and  for the purpose of compensation for serving as members of the Board of Directors of the Company and for the purposes of retaining qualified personnel at compensation levels that otherwise would not be available should the company have been required to pay certain salaries in cash only. Certain RSUs were issued to the executive officers of the Company (“Executive RSUs”); certain RSUs were issued to the employees of the Company (“Non-Executive  RSUs”); certain RSUs were issued to members of the board of directors of the Company (“Board RSUs”); and certain of the RSUs were issued to employees of FD (“FD RSUs”).
 
At December 31, 2016, the following Executive RSUs were outstanding:  A total of 1,737,072 RSUs were vested, and 800,000 will vest on July 1, 2017. An additional 125,000 RSUs will vest contingent upon the attainment of a stock price of $2.00 per share for 20 straight trading days, and an additional 175,000 RSUs will vest contingent  upon the attainment of a stock price of $3.00  per share for 20 straight trading days. The Company estimated that the stock-price goals of the Company’s stock price closing above $2.00 per share for 20 straight days have a 90% likelihood of achievement, and these RSUs were valued at 90% of their face value; the Company also estimated that the likelihood of the Company’s stock closing above $3.00 per share for 20 straight days is 70%, and these RSUs were valued at 70% of their face value.  We recognized stock-based compensation expense of in a straight-line manner over the vesting period of the RSUs.
 
On March 31, 2016, 10,000 Board RSUs were issued. On August 3, 2016, 95,000 Board RSUs were exercised. At December 31, 2016, the following Board RSUs were outstanding: a total of 545,000  RSUs were vested, and 270,000will vest on July 1, 2017.
 
On March 31, 2016, 180,534 Non-Executive  RSUs were issued. At December 31, 2016, 180,534 Non-Executive RSUs were outstanding, all of which were vested.

On January 26, 2016, 300,000 FD  RSUs were exercised, and 800,000 FD  RSUs were forfeited. On April 25, 2016, an additional 1,000,000 FD  RSUs were forfeited.  On June 29, 2016, 200,000 FD  RSUs were exercised, and an additional 900,000 FD  RSUs were forfeited.  At December 31, 2016, 1,000,000 FD  RSUs were outstanding; 600,000 were vested, and 400,000 were scheduled to vest on July 1, 2017. All remaining FD  RSUs were re-purchased by the Company subsequent to December 31, 2016; see note 18.

We recognized stock-based compensation expense for RSUs in a straight-line manner over the vesting period of the grant. This resulted in stock-based compensation expense of $1,663,309 (including $813,908 charged to discontinued operations) and $4,206,282 (including $2,258,216 charged to discontinued operations) related to recognition of RSUs during the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  

 RSUs expense during the twelve months ended December 31,   2016 and 2015 are summarized in the table below:
 
 
 
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2016
   
2015
 
 
       
RSUs expense – Continuing operations
 
$
849,401
   
$
1,948,066
 
RSUs expense – Discontinued operations
   
813,908
     
2,258,216
 
Total
 
$
1,663,309
   
$
4,206,282
 

15. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
Contingent Liability
 
Pursuant to the OFB acquisition, the Company was contingently liable for certain performance-based payments over the twenty-four months following the acquisition date. The Company believed it was likely that these payments would be made, and accordingly recorded the entire amount of $225,000 as a contingent liability on its balance sheet at acquisition. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, payments were made in the aggregate amount of $91,000 and $52,500, respectively; at December 31, 2016, the balance of the contingent liability is $0.

Litigation
 
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.
 
Leases

On May 7, 2012, we entered into a three-year lease with David and Sherri Vohaska for approximately 18,700 feet of office and warehouse space located at 8121 Ogden Avenue, Lyons, Illinois.  The annual rent under the lease is approximately $8,333 per month for the first year, $8,417 per month for the second year, and $8,500 for the third year.  Prior to the acquisition of Artisan Specialty Foods, Inc. David Vohaska was the owner of Artisan.  The Company and Mr. Vohaska agreed to terminate this lease agreement effective October 11, 2015.

At December 31, 2016, there were no commitments for minimum rental payments.
 
16. MAJOR CUSTOMER

The Company’s largest customer, U.S. Foods, Inc.  and its affiliates, accounted for approximately 72% and 72% of total sales in the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  A contract between our subsidiary, Food Innovations, and U.S. Foods 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 between Food Innovations, Inc., our wholly-owned subsidiary, and U.S. Foods, Inc.  The term of the contract is from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2016 and provides for up to three (3) 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 2017.      
     

17. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
 
Our short-term financial instruments, including cash, accounts payable and other liabilities, consist primarily of instruments without extended maturities, the fair value of which, based on management’s estimates, reasonably approximate their book value.   The fair value of the Company’s stock option, convertible debt features and warrant instruments is determined using option pricing models.
 
As a result of the adoption of ASC 815-40, the Company is required to disclose the fair value measurements required by ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.”  The other liabilities recorded at fair value in the balance sheet as of December 31, 2009 are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value.  Hierarchical levels, defined by ASC 820 are directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to fair valuations of these liabilities are as follows:
 
Level 1 -
Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date;
 
 
Level 2 -
Inputs other than Level 1 inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable; and
 
 
Level 3 - 
Unobservable inputs, for which little or no market data exist, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.
 
As December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company did not have financial assets or liabilities that are required to be accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis.
 
18.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
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,  and $200,000 which can be paid in cash or shares of the Company’s stock at the Company’s option, anytime under certain conditions, or automatically is 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. 

In January and February 2017, warrants to purchase a total of 274,783 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $0.25 per share were exercised for $68,696 in cash.

In January 2017, the Company completed the acquisition of options to purchase 367,500  shares of the Company’s common stock held by three officers and a director of the Company.  The aggregate purchase price was $34,925  which was the difference between the market price of the shares and the exercise price of the options at the date of the acquisition agreement.
 
In February 2017, the  Company signed an agreement which involved, amongst other things, the purchase of rights to 1,450,000 RSUs and 642,688 shares of the Company’s common stock.  A total of $850,000 was accrued at December 31, 2016 as part of accounts payable and accrued liabilities, in connection with this  agreement.

In March 2017, the Company approved the issuance of  non-executive employee stock options to purchase an aggregate 600,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at prices ranging from $1.31 to $3.50 per share:

# options
   
Price
 
         
 
75,000
   
$
1.310
 
 
100,000
   
$
1.419
 
 
50,000
   
$
1.430
 
 
175,000
   
$
1.900
 
 
75,000
   
$
1.700
 
 
50,000
   
$
2.000
 
 
37,500
   
$
2.500
 
 
37,500
   
$
3.500
 
 
600,000
         

On March 26 th ,  Sam Klepfish provided a notice of conversion of a convertible  note with a face value of $164,650 which was convertible into 658,600 of the Company’s common stock.
 

ITEM 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
 
None.

ITEM 9A. Controls and Procedures

Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  We concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act were effective as of December 31, 2016 to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, and summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and our disclosure controls and procedures are also effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in reports that we file under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our principal executive and financial officers to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting are designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
 
(i)  pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;
(ii)  provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit the preparation of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and
(iii)  provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting — Guidance for Smaller Public Companies issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013).
 
Subject to the inherent limitations described in the following paragraph, our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective at December 31, 2016 at the reasonable assurance level.
 
Inherent Limitations Over Internal Controls

Internal control over financial reporting cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving financial reporting objectives because of its inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error and circumvention by collusion or overriding of controls. Accordingly, even an effective internal control system may not prevent or detect material misstatements on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.  Accordingly, our internal controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives.
 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have made no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm

This annual report does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the SEC that permit us to provide only management’s report in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
ITEM 9B. Other Information

None.
 
 
PART III

ITEM 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Set forth below are the directors and executive officers of our Company, their respective names and ages, positions with our Company, principal occupations and business experiences during at least the past five years.
 
Name
 
Age
 
Position
Sam Klepfish
 
42
 
Chief Executive Officer and Director
Justin Wiernasz
 
51
 
President and Director
Joel Gold
 
75
 
Director
Hank Cohn
 
47
 
Director
 
Directors
 
Sam Klepfish
 
Mr. Klepfish has been a director since December 1, 2005.  From November 2007 to present Mr. Klepfish is the CEO of Innovative Food Holdings and its subsidiaries. From March 2006 to November 2007 Mr. Klepfish was the interim president of the Company and its subsidiary. Since February 2005 Mr. Klepfish was also a Managing Partner at ISG Capital, a merchant bank. From May 2004 through February 2005 Mr. Klepfish served as a Managing Director of Technoprises, Ltd.  From January 2001 to May 2004 he was a corporate finance analyst and consultant at Phillips Nizer, a New York law firm. Since January 2001 Mr. Klepfish has been a member of the steering committee of Tri-State Ventures, a New York investment group. From 1998 to December 2000, Mr. Klepfish was an asset manager for several investors in small-cap entities.
  
Joel Gold, Director
 
Mr. Gold is currently a partner in a merchant banking firm Anshas served on the board and committees of numerous companies. Prior to that he was an investment banker at Buckman, Buckman and Reid located in New Jersey, a position he held since May 2010.  Prior there to, from October 2004, he was head of investment banking of Andrew Garrett, Inc.  From January 2000 until September 2004, he served as Executive Vice President of Investment Banking of Berry Shino Securities, Inc., an investment banking firm also located in New York City. From January 1999 until December 1999, he was an Executive Vice President of Solid Capital Markets, an investment-banking firm also located in New York City.  From September 1997 to January 1999, he served as a Senior Managing Director of Interbank Capital Group, LLC, an investment banking firm also located in New York City.  From April 1996 to September 1997, Mr. Gold was an Executive Vice President of LT Lawrence & Co., and from March 1995 to April 1996, a Managing Director of Fechtor Detwiler & Co., Inc., a representative of the underwriters for the Company’s initial public offering.  Mr. Gold was a Managing Director of Furman Selz Incorporated from January 1992 until March 1995.  From April 1990 until January 1992, Mr. Gold was a Managing Director of Bear Stearns and Co., Inc. (“Bear Stearns”).  For approximately 20 years before he became affiliated with Bear Stearns, he held various positions with Drexel Burnham Lambert, Inc. 
 
Hank Cohn, Director

Mr. Cohn has been a director since October 29, 2010.  Hank Cohn is currently CEO of P1 Billing, LLC, a revenue cycle management services provider to ambulatory medical clinics.  P1 Billing is a spinoff of PracticeOne Inc., (formerly PracticeXpert, Inc., an OTCBB traded company), an integrated PMS and EMR software and services company for physicians.  Mr. Cohn served as President and Chief Executive Officer of PracticeOne from December 2009 until December 2009, at which time he sold the company to Francison Partners, one of the largest, global technology focused, private equity firms in Silicon Valley.  Prior to that, Mr. Cohn worked with a number of public companies.  A partial list of his past and present board memberships include: Analytical Surveys, Inc., Kaching Kaching, Inc., and International Food and Wine, Inc., currently Evolution Resources Inc.  Mr. Cohn also served as the executive vice president of Galaxy Ventures, LLC a closely-held investment fund concentrating in the areas of bond trading and early stage technology investments, where he acted as portfolio manager for investments.

Justin Wiernasz, President

Mr. Wiernasz has been a director since November 1, 2013.  Effective on July 31, 2008, Mr. Justin Wiernasz was promoted to the position of President of Innovative Food Holdings, Inc.  Prior thereto he was the Executive Vice President of Marketing and Sales and Chief Marketing Officer of our operating subsidiary, Food Innovations, Inc. since May 2007 and the President of Food Innovations and our Chief Marketing Officer since December 2007.  Prior thereto, he was at USF, our largest customer, for 13 years. From 2005 to 2007 he was the Vice President of Sales & Marketing, USF, Boston, and prior thereto, from 2003 to 2005 he was a National Sales Trainer at USF, Charleston SC, from 1996 to 2003 he was the District Sales Manager at USF, Western Massachusetts and from 1993 to 1996 he was Territory Manager, USF, Northampton, Easthampton & Amherst, MA. Prior to that from 1989 to 1993 he was the owner and operator J.J.’s food and spirit, a 110 seat restaurant .
 
Key Employee

John McDonald

Mr. McDonald, age 54, has been the Chief Information Officer of IVFH since November 2007 and our principal accounting officer since November 2007.  From 2004 through 2007, Mr. McDonald worked as a consultant with Softrim Corporation of Estero, Florida where he created custom applications for a variety of different industries and assisted in building interfaces to accounting applications. Since 1999 he has also been President of McDonald Consulting Group, Inc. which provide consulting on accounts receivable, systems and accounting services.

Qualification of Directors

We believe that all of our directors are qualified for their positions and each brings a benefit to the board. Messrs. Kelpfish and Wiernasz, as our executive officers, are uniquely qualified to bring management’s perspective to the board’s deliberations.  Mr. Gold, with his lengthy career working for broker/dealers, brings “Wall Street’s” perspective.  Mr. Cohn, with his prior history of being an executive and his experience as a director of other companies, brings a well-rounded background and wealth of experience to our board.

Committees
 
The Board of Directors does not currently have an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, a Nominating Committee or a Governance Committee. The usual functions of such committees are performed by the entire Board of Directors.  We are currently having difficulties attracting additional qualified directors, specifically to act as the audit committee financial expert. However, we believe that a majority of our directors are familiar with the contents of financial statements.
  
Code of Ethics
 
We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to each of our employees, including our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, as well as members of our Board of Directors. A copy of such Code has been publicly filed with, and is available for free from, the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
 
During 2016,  Messrs. Gold, Wiernasz and McDonald did not file two Forms 4 and Mr. Klepfish did not file one Form 4.  None of the Forms 4 related to the sale or purchase of securities.
 
ITEM 11. Executive Compensation
 
The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation for services rendered to us for the year ended December 31, 2016, of our Chief Executive Officer and our other executive officers whose annual compensation exceeded $100,000 in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, if any. We refer to the Chief Executive Officer and these other officers as the named executive officers.
 
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
Name and
Principal
Position
 
Year
 
Salary
($)
   
Bonus
($)
 
 
 
Stock
Awards
($)
 
 
 
Option
Awards
($)
   
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
   
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)
   
All Other
Compensation
($)
 
 
 
Total
($)
 
Sam Klepfish
 
2016
 
$
362,550
   
$
-
     
$
375,297
 
(a)
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
2,229
 
(b)
 
$
740,075
 
CEO
 
2015
 
$
317,709
   
$
85,000
 
(c)
 
$
644,835
 
(a)
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
 
 
$
1,047,544
 
 
  2014  
$
297,858
   
$
40,000
 
(d)
 
$
97,838
 
(a)
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
2,112
 
(b)
 
$
437,808
 
 
 
 
               
 
       
 
                               
 
       
Justin Wiernasz
 
2016
 
$
346,920
   
$
50,000
 
(e)
 
$
308,192
 
(f)
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
8,056
 
(b)
 
$
713,168
 
President
 
2015
 
$
312,119
   
$
124,800
 
(g)
 
$
667,780
 
(h)
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
8,016
 
(b)
 
$
1,112,715
 
 
  2014  
$
264,400
   
$
145,000
 
(i)
 
$
133,055
 
(a)
 
$
-
   
$
     
$
-
   
$
5,827
 
(b)
 
$
548,282
 
 
 
 
               
 
       
 
                               
 
       
John McDonald
 
2016
 
$
181,182
   
$
30,000
 
(j)
 
$
43,660
  (m)   $ 992 (n)   $       $      
$
7,959
 
(b)
 
$
263,794
 
Chief Information and
 
2015
 
$
163,611
   
$
38,407
 
(k)
 
$
-
 
 
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
8,016
 
(b)
 
$
210,034
 
Principal Accounting Officer
 
2014
 
$
153,484
   
$
50,000
 
(l)
 
$
-
 
 
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
7,444
 
(b)
 
$
210,938
 
 
(a)
Consists of the portion of RSUs which were recognized as a period cost during the year.
(b)
Consists of cash payments for health care benefits.
(c)
Consists of a cash bonus paid during the year for services performed in 2014.
(d)
Consists of a cash bonus paid during the year. Does not include $85,000 in cash bonuses and $175,000 of stock bonuses for services performed in 2014 but not paid during the year.
(e)
Consists of a cash bonus paid during the year for services performed in 2015. Does not include $65,000 in cash bonuses  for services performed in 2016  but not paid during the year.
(f)
Consists of the portion of RSUs which were recognized as a period cost during the year for services as an executive officer.  Does not include $55,304 of RSUs which were recognized as a period cost during the year for services as a board member.
(g)
Consists of a cash bonus paid during the year for services performed in 2015. Does not include $50,000 in cash bonuses and 116,279 of RSUs with a fair value of $75,000 for services performed in 2015 but not paid during the year.
(h)
Consists of the portion of RSUs which were recognized as a period cost during the year for services as an executive officer.  Does not include $163,826 of RSUs which were recognized as a period cost during the year for services as a board member.
(i)
Consists of a cash bonus paid during the year for services performed in 2013.  Does not include $100,000 cash bonus and $175,000 in stock bonus for services performed in 2014 but not paid during the year.
(j)
Consists of a cash bonus paid during the year for services performed in 2015.  Does not include $34,500  in cash bonus for services performed in 2016 but not paid during the year.
(k)
Consists of a cash bonus paid during the year for services performed in 2014. Does not include $30,000 in cash bonuses and  46,512 RSUs with a fair value of $30,000 for services performed in 2015 but not paid during the year.
(l)
Consists of a cash bonus paid during the year.
(m)
Consists of 90,959 shares of common stock with a fair value of $43,660.
(n)
Consists of options to purchase 200,000 shares of common stock with a fair value of $992.
 
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End as of December 31, 2016
 
 
 
Option Awards
 
Stock Awards
 
Name
 
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options
(#)
Exercisable
   
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable
   
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#)
   
Option Exercise Price ($)
 
Option Expiration Date
 
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
(#)
 
 
 
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)
 
 
 
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)
   
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested
($)
 
 
                       
 
     
 
     
 
           
Sam Klepfish
                       
 
   
700,000
 
(a)
 
$
245,000
 
(c)
           
Sam Klepfish 
   
100,000
               
$
0.350
 
  05/04/17
       
 
       
 
           
Sam Klepfish
   
100,000
     
-
     
-
   
$
0.350
 
12/31/17
   
-
 
 
   
-
 
 
   
-
       
Sam Klepfish
   
62,500
     
-
     
-
   
$
1.600
 
01/01/18
   
-
 
 
   
-
 
 
   
-
       
Sam Klepfish
   
100,000
     
-
     
-
   
$
0.570
 
01/01/18
       
 
       
 
             
Sam Klepfish
   
62,500
     
-
     
-
   
$
1.600
 
01/01/18
       
 
       
 
             
Sam Klepfish
   
100,000
     
-
     
-
   
$
2.000
 
02/28/17
       
 
       
 
             
                                                                     
Justin Wiernasz
                               
 
   
490,000
 
(b)
 
$
171,500
 
(c)
             
Justin Wiernasz
   
100,000
     
-
     
-
   
$
0.350
 
05/04/17
   
-
 
 
   
-
 
 
   
-
     
-
 
Justin Wiernasz
   
100,000
     
-
     
-
   
$
0.350
 
12/31/17
   
-
 
 
   
-
 
 
   
-
         
Justin Wiernasz
   
62,500
     
-
     
-
   
$
1.600
 
01/01/18
   
-
 
 
   
-
 
 
   
-
         
Justin Wiernasz
   
100,000
     
-
     
-
   
$
0.570
 
01/01/18
   
-
 
 
   
-
 
 
   
-
     
-
 
Justin Wiernasz
   
62,500
     
-
     
-
   
$
1.600
 
01/01/18
   
-
 
 
   
-
 
 
   
-
         
Justin Wiernasz
   
100,000
     
-
     
-
   
$
2.000
 
02/28/17
       
 
       
 
               
                                                                       
John McDonald
(d)  
25,000
     
-
     
-
   
$
0.570
 
01/01/18
       
 
       
 
               
John McDonald
   
30,000
     
-
     
-
   
$
1.600
 
01/01/18
       
 
       
 
               
John McDonald
   
30,000
     
-
     
-
   
$
1.600
 
01/01/18
       
 
       
 
               
 
(a)
 
RSUs vest according to the following schedule: 400,000 will vest on July 1, 2017.  An additional 125,000 RSUs will vest contingent upon the attainment of a stock price of $2.00 per share for 20 consecutive trading days, and an additional 175,000 RSUs will vest contingent upon the attainment of a stock price of $3.00 per share for 20 consecutive  trading days.
(b)
RSUs vest according to the following schedule: 490,000 will vest on July 1, 2017.
(c)
Amounts are calculated by multiplying the number of shares shown in the table by $0.35 per share, which is the closing price of common stock on December 31, 2016 (the last trading day of the 2016 fiscal year).
(d)
Does not include options to purchase 200,000 shares of common stock which were accrued during the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, but not issued until 2017.
 
Director Compensation
 
Name
 
Fees
Earned
or Paid
in Cash ($)
   
Stock
Awards
($) (a)
 
 
 
Option
Awards
($) (b)
   
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
   
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)
   
All Other
Compensation
($)
   
Total
($)
 
Joel Gold
 
$
-
   
$
-
 
(a)
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Sam Klepfish
 
$
-
   
$
-
 
 
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Hank Cohn
 
$
10,000
   
$
2,000
 
(b)
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
12,000
 
Justin Wiernasz
 
$
-
   
$
-
 
(a)
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
(a)     Does not include 270,000 RSUs at $1.00 per share granted to each director and included in 2014 for service in years 2015, 2016, and 2017.  These RSUs are contingent upon being a member of the board in those years. The amount of $163,826 was included as a period cost for these RSUs in 2015.  Mr. Klepfish has thus far declined this grant of RSUs which the Company offered to all Directors in 2014.

(b)    Includes 5,000 RSUs at $0.40 per share for services in 2016. Does not include 270,000 RSUs at $1.00 per share granted to each director and included in 2014 for service in years 2015, 2016, and 2017.  These RSUs are contingent upon being a member of the board in those years. The amount of $163,826 was included as a period cost for these RSUs in 2015.  

Employment Agreements
 
Our subsidiary, Food Innovations, has employment agreements with certain officers and certain employees.  The employment agreements provide for salaries and benefits, including stock grants and extend up to five years.  In addition to salary and benefit provisions, the agreements include defined commitments should the employer terminate the employee with or without cause.

SAM KLEPFISH

On November 20, 2012 we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Klepfish, the Corporation’s CEO,  having an effective date of January 1, 2013 and terminating on December 31, 2015.  The agreement provides a base compensation in the amount of $198,312 in cash plus an additional $27,937 in restricted stock units for year one, $223,987 in cash plus an additional $24,875 in restricted stock units for year two, and $260,075 in cash plus an additional $13,688 in restricted stock units for year three.  The agreement also provides for annual bonuses including bonuses based on increases in EBITDA (as defined in the agreement) of our various subsidiaries; additional bonuses upon the occurrence of certain events such as: listing on specific stock exchanges, spin-offs, investments and stock trading and volume levels.  The agreement also provides for stock options with exercise prices ranging from $0.40 - $1.60 and an award of restricted stock, which only vests if certain volume and pricing milestones with respect to our common stock are met.  Mr. Klepfish also has the option of receiving any portion of his salary or bonus in the form of equity.  The agreement also contains non-compete and non-solicitation provisions.  
 
On August 7, 2014, our board of directors approved the amendment of the Employment Agreement with Mr. Klepfish effective as of August 13, 2014.  The employment agreement was amended as follows: (i) it has been extended by one year to December 31, 2016; (ii) it provides for 10% annual increases of Base Salary commencing in 2014; (iii) certain performance based bonuses in the employment agreement are eliminated; (iv) stock grants previously issued with vesting based upon performance or stock price are cancelled; (v) a new performance based bonus structure to partially replace the previous structure, based upon meeting certain Cash EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization and non-cash compensation charges) targets, the new bonus will have a cash portion and a stock portion and all Base Salary can be paid in cash or in stock at the option of Mr. Klepfish, and  (vi) 125,00 restricted stock units which vest if the 30 day average closing price of our common stock is $2.00 or above and there is a 50,000 average daily volume or there is a 50,000 average daily volume for 14 straight  trading days; and 175,000 restricted stock units which vest if the 30 day average closing price of our common stock is $3.00 or above and there is a 50,000 average daily volume for 14 straight trading days.  Mr. Klepfish will have the option, on an annual basis, to take all or part of the cash portion of the bonus, or any part of Base Salary in the form of stock at a valuation based upon the closing stock price on the last trading day of the prior year. The decision on how much, if any, of the bonus to take in stock must be made by May 1 of each year, unless earlier required.  The Cash EBITDA target levels do not include the effect of any potential future acquisitions and also do not include certain one time or non-recurring expenses in the calculation of the Cash EBITDA.  If a Cash EBITDA target is missed by 3% or less, the bonus for the target so missed shall be reduced by 20% and if it is missed by 3.1% -5%, the bonus for such target shall be reduced by 30%, except in both cases, Mr. Klepfish has negative discretion to further reduce the bonuses or even cancel them. In March 2016, Mr. Klepfish’s employment agreement was extended for another year under the same terms.
 
In November 2014, the employment agreement of Mr. Klepfish was amended (i) ) in the event of a change of control (as defined below) all equity based compensation (including options and restricted stock units) payable pursuant to such employment agreements, shall immediately vest and/or restrictions thereon shall lapse, and (ii) to provide that in the event of a termination without Cause (as defined in the employment agreement) they shall receive a lump sum payment equal to the greater of (x) the salary payable over the last six months of the term of the agreement, or (y) the Base Salary (as defined in the employment agreement) remaining through the end of the then-current term of the agreement.  The definition of change of control shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events: (w) the sale or transfer by the Company for at least $25 million (such consideration consisting of cash, cash equivalents, notes or securities) of more than 50% of its Voting Securities (as defined below) or substantially all of its assets; or  (x) the acquisition, other than from the Company or employees of it or any of its subsidiaries, by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) (other than an employee benefit plan of the Company) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Voting Securities”); or (y) the approval by the stockholders of the Company of a reorganization, merger, consolidation or recapitalization of the Company (a “Business Combination”), other than a Business Combination in which more than 50% of the combined voting power of the outstanding Voting Securities of the surviving or resulting entity immediately following the Business Combination is held by the persons who, immediately prior to the Business Combination, were the holders of the Voting Securities; or (z) the approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company, or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.
 
Mr. Klepfish was awarded, as a special bonus, effective November 17, 2014, an aggregate of 1,000,000 restricted stock units (“RSU”) subject to time and performance vesting conditions, with the timing conditions as follows: 150,000 RSUs vest on each of July 1 and December 31, 2015; 300,000 RSUs vest on December 31, 2016 and 400,000 RSUs vest on July 1, 2017, and the performance conditions are as follows: for the RSUs vesting in 2015, the Corporation, on a consolidated basis, must have four months with sales above $2,500,000 during 2015, for the RSUs vesting in 2016, the Corporation, on a consolidated basis, must have four months with sales above $2,500,000 during 2016 and for the RSUs vesting in 2017, the Corporation, on a consolidated basis, must have four months with sales above $2,500,000 during 2017, provided however, that if the performance condition is not met in any year, the RSUs scheduled to vest in such year will still vest if the Corporation, on a consolidated basis, has six months with sales of at least $2,500,000  during the following year.  The company’s board of directors will modify and increase the performance requirements, with the consent of executive, if warranted and appropriate. 
 
Effective March 29, 2017, we entered into a new employment agreement with Mr. Klepfish.  The new agreement, which  runs through December 31, 2019 maintains the current base salary, and provides for all bonuses and salary increases to be approved by a compensation committee.
 
JUSTIN WIERNASZ
  
On November 20, 2012 we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Wiernasz, the Company’s President,  having an effective date of January 1, 2013 and terminating on December 31, 2015 The agreement is for a term of three years, and provides a base compensation in the amount of $226,250 per annum for year one, $248,875 per annum for year two, and $273,763 per annum for year three.  The agreement also provides for annual bonuses including bonuses based on increases in EBITDA (as defined in the agreement) of our various subsidiaries; additional bonuses upon the occurrence of certain events such as: listing on specific stock exchanges, spin-offs, investments and stock trading and volume levels.  The agreement also provides for stock options with exercise prices ranging from $0.40 - $1.60 and an award of restricted stock, which only vests if certain volume and pricing milestones with respect to our common stock are met.  Mr. Wiernasz also has the option of receiving any portion of his salary or bonus in the form of equity.  The agreement also contains non-compete and non-solicitation provisions.
 
On August 7, 2014, our board of directors approved the amendment of the Employment Agreement with Mr. Wiernasz  effective as of August 13, 2014.  The employment agreement was amended as follows: (i) it has been extended by one year to December 31, 2016; (ii) it provides for 10% annual increases of Base Salary commencing in 2014; (iii)  certain performance based bonuses in the employment agreement are eliminated; (iv) stock grants previously issued with vesting based upon performance or stock price are cancelled; (v) a new performance based bonus structure to partially replace the previous structure, based upon meeting certain Cash EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization and non-cash compensation charges) targets, the new bonus will have a cash portion and a stock portion and all Base Salary can be paid in cash or in stock at the option of Mr. Wiernasz, and (vi) an award of 75,000 restricted stock units which vest on January 1, 2015 and 75,000 restricted stock units which vest on May 1, 2016.  Mr. Wiernasz will have the option, on an annual basis, to take all or part of the cash portion of the bonus, or any part of Base Salary in the form of stock at a valuation based upon the closing stock price on the last trading day of the prior year. The decision on how much, if any, of the bonus to take in stock must be made by May 1 of each year, unless earlier required.  The Cash EBITDA target levels do not include the effect of any potential future acquisitions and also do not include certain one time or non-recurring expenses in the calculation of the Cash EBITDA.  If a Cash EBITDA target is missed by 3% or less, the bonus for the target so missed shall be reduced by 20% and if it is missed by 3.1% -5%, the bonus for such target shall be reduced by 30%. In March 2016, Mr. Wiernasz’s employment agreement was extended for another year under the same terms.
 
The employment agreement of Mr. Wiernasz was amended (i) ) in the event of a change of control (as defined below) all equity based compensation (including options and restricted stock units) payable pursuant to such employment agreements, shall immediately vest and/or restrictions thereon shall lapse, and (ii) to provide that in the event of a termination without Cause (as defined in the employment agreement) they shall receive a lump sum payment equal to the greater of (x) the salary payable over the last six months of the term of the agreement, or (y) the Base Salary (as defined in the employment agreement) remaining through the end of the then-current term of the agreement.  The definition of change of control shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events: (w) the sale or transfer by the Company for at least $25 million (such consideration consisting of cash, cash equivalents, notes or securities) of more than 50% of its Voting Securities (as defined below) or substantially all of its assets; or  (x) the acquisition, other than from the Company or employees of it or any of its subsidiaries, by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) (other than an employee benefit plan of the Company) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Voting Securities”); or (y) the approval by the stockholders of the Company of a reorganization, merger, consolidation or recapitalization of the Company (a “Business Combination”), other than a Business Combination in which more than 50% of the combined voting power of the outstanding Voting Securities of the surviving or resulting entity immediately following the Business Combination is held by the persons who, immediately prior to the Business Combination, were the holders of the Voting Securities; or (z) the approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company, or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.
 
Mr. Wiernasz was awarded, as a special bonus, effective November 17, 2014, an aggregate of 1,000,000 restricted stock units (“RSU”) subject to time and performance vesting conditions, with the timing conditions as follows: 150,000 RSUs vest on each of July 1 and December 31, 2015; 300,000 RSUs vest on December 31, 2016 and 400,000 RSUs vest on July 1, 2017, and the performance conditions are as follows: for the RSUs vesting in 2015, the Corporation, on a consolidated basis, must have four months with sales above $2,500,000 during 2015, for the RSUs vesting in 2016, the Corporation, on a consolidated basis, must have four months with sales above $2,500,000 during 2016 and for the RSUs vesting in 2017, the Corporation, on a consolidated basis, must have four months with sales above $2,500,000 during 2017, provided however, that if the performance condition is not met in any year, the RSUs scheduled to vest in such year will still vest if the Corporation, on a consolidated basis, has six months with sales of at least $2,500,000  during the following year.  The company’s board of directors will modify and increase the performance requirements, with the consent of executive, if warranted and appropriate.  
 
On March 21, 2017, the board of directors approved a $65,000 cash bonus for Mr. Wiernasz with respect to his performance in 2016.

Effective March 29, 2017, we entered into a new employment agreement with Mr. Wiernasz.  The new agreement, which  runs through December 31, 2019 maintains the current base salary, and provides for all bonuses and salary increases to be approved by the board of directors compensation committee.
 
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
 
None of our executive officers has served as a director or member of a compensation committee (or other board committee performing equivalent functions) of any other entity, one of whose executive officers served as a director or a member of our Compensation Committee.
 
ITEM 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
 
The following table sets forth certain information as of March 17, 2017, with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock by (1) each person known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of our common stock, (2) each of our directors, (3) each Named Officer, and (4) all our directors and executive officers as a group.  Unless otherwise stated, each person listed below uses the Company’s address.  Pursuant to SEC rules, includes shares that the person has the right to receive within 60 days from March 17,  2017.
 
Name and Address of  Beneficial Owners
       
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned
   
Percent of Class
 
 
                 
Sam Klepfish (Officer, Director)
 
(1
)
   
2,446,140
     
9.2
%
Michael Ferrone
 
(2
)
   
1,599,282
     
6.6
%
Joel Gold (Director)
 
(3
)
   
699,054
     
2.8
%
Justin Wiernasz (Officer, Director)
 
(4
)
   
2,349,532
     
8.9
%
Hank Cohn (Director) 
 
(5
)
   
575,000
     
2.3
%
Yorkmont Capital Partners, LP
 
(6
)
   
2,073,398
     
8.6
%
Alpha Capital Anstalt
 
(7
)
   
848,812
     
7.5
%
All officers and directors as a whole (4 persons)
 
(8
)
   
6,069,726
     
20.3
%
 
(1)  
Includes 180,000 shares of common stock held by Mr. Klepfish; options to purchase 525,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, RSUs representing 1,082,540 shares of common stock, and 658,600 shares for a convertible note payable.  
 
 
(2)  
Includes 1,429,282  shares of common stock held by Mr. Ferrone; and options to purchase 170,000 shares of the Company’s common stock held by Mr. Ferrone.  Mr. Ferrone’s address is Box 2484, 119 Alpine Avenue, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.
 
 
(3)  
Includes 110,654 shares of common stock held by Mr. Gold, RSUs representing 270,000 shares of common stock, and options to purchase 300,000 shares of common stock. Also includes 18,400 shares of common stock held by Mr. Gold’s spouse.
 
(4)  
Includes 100,000 shares of common stock held by Mr. Wiernasz, options to purchase 525,000 shares of common stock, and RSUs representing 1,724,532 shares of common stock.
 
 
(5)  
Includes options to purchase 300,000 shares of common stock, and RSUs representing 275,000 shares of common stock.
   
(6)  
Consists of 2,073,398 shares of common stock held by Yorkmont Capital Partners, LP. The address of Yorkmont Capital Partners, LP is 2313 Lake Austin Blvd. Suite 202, Austin, TX 78703.  Information gathered from a Schedule 13G/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 18, 2016.
 
 
(7)  
Consists of 848,812 shares of common stock held by Alpha Capital. Excludes shares underlying warrants and convertible notes which are subject to a 9.99% blocker provision.  The address of its principal business is Pradafant 7, Furstentums 9490, Vaduzm Liechtenstein.  
 
 
(8)  
Includes 409,054 shares of common stock held by officers and directors.  Also includes 5,660,672 shares underlying options, RSUs, convertible notes, or shares issuable as accrued interest upon outstanding notes.  
 
ITEM 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
 
We are not currently subject to the requirements of any stock exchange or national securities association with respect to having a majority of “independent directors”.  Messrs. Gold and Cohn, are “independent” and only Messrs. Klepfish and Wiernasz, by virtue of being our Executive Officers, are not independent.  Mr. Klepfish and Mr. Wiernasz do not participate in board discussions concerning their compensation.
 
At December 31, 2015, the Company had an accrued liability in the amount of $160,150 representing an aggregate of 210,520 shares of common stock to be issued to officers, directors, and employees for services performed during 2013; during the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Company issued 210,520 RSUs in exchange  of this liability.  Also at December 31, 2015, the Company had an accrued liability in the amount of $157,780 representing 244,620 RSUs to be issued to officers and employees as a bonus for services performed in 2015;  during the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Company issued an aggregate of 244,620  RSUs  in exchange  of this liability.
 
During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Company issued 95,000 shares of its common stock to an ex-Director of the Company pursuant to the exercise of RSUs.
 
During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Company purchased the following options held by three of its officers and one of its directors: options to purchase an aggregate 92,500  shares of the Company’s common stock exercisable at a price of $0.38 per share were purchased for a total amount of $10,175, and options to purchase an aggregate 275,000 shares of the Company’s common stock exercisable at a price of $0.40 per share were purchased for a total amount of $24,750. The purchase price was calculated as the excess of the closing market price of the Company’s stock on the purchase date over the exercise price of the options.
 

ITEM 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
 
Audit Fees

The Company engaged Liggett & Webb P.A. (“LW”) as our  independent registered public accounting firm since November 9, 2012.  During the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, LW billed us audit fees of approximately $104,200 and $108,000, respectively.
 
Audit-Related Fees
 
The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services by LW that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our consolidated financial statements including our quarterly interim reviews on Form 10-Q and are reported under Audit Fees above.
 
Tax Fees
 
LW tax fees were  $10,000 and $15,000 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
 
All Other Fees
 
LW has not billed any other fees since their engagement on November 9, 2012.
 
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 the board of directors considered the audit fees, audit-related fees, tax fees and other fees paid to our accountants, as disclosed above, and determined that the payment of such fees was compatible with maintaining the independence of the accountants.  Our board of directors pre-approves all auditing services and all permitted non-auditing services (including the fees and terms thereof) to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm, except for de minimis non-audit services that are approved by the board of directors prior to the completion of the audit.
 
 
 
PART IV
 
ITEM 15. Exhibits
 
EXHIBIT NUMBER
 
 
 
3.1
Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2004 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 28, 2005).
 
 
3.2
Amended Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.2 of the Company’s annual report Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2011).
 
 
4.1
Form of Convertible Note (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2004 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 28, 2005).
 
 
4.2
Form of Convertible Note (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.2 of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2004 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 28, 2005).
 
 
4.3
Form of Warrant - Class A (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.3 of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2004 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 28, 2005).
 
 
4.4
Form of Warrant - Class B (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.4 of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2004 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 28, 2005).
 
 
4.5
Form of Warrant - Class C (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.5 of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2004 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 28, 2005).
 
 
4.6
Secured Convertible Promissory Note dated December 31, 2008 in favor of Alpha Capital Anstalt (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 7, 2009).
 
 
4.7
Class B Common Stock Purchase Warrant dated December 31, 2008 in favor of Alpha Capital Anstalt (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 7, 2009).
 
 
4.8
Subscription Agreement between the Registrant and Alpha Capital Anstalt dated December 31, 2008 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 7, 2009).
 
 
4.9
Amendment, Waiver, and Consent Agreement effective January 1, 2009 between the Registrant and Alpha Capital Anstalt (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 7, 2009).
 
 
10.2
Security and Pledge Agreement – IVFH (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2004 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 28, 2005).
 
 
10.3
Security and Pledge Agreement – FII (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2004 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 28, 2005).
 
 
10.5
Subscription Agreement (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.5 of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2004 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 28, 2005).
 
 
10.6
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between IVFH and FII. (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.6 of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2004 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 28, 2005).
 
 
10.9
Employment Agreement with Sam Klepfish (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 21, 2012)
 
 
10.10
Employment Agreement Justin Wiernasz (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 21, 2012)
 
 
10.11
Subscription Agreement dated as of May 11, 2012 between the Registrant and Alpha Capital Anstalt (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 17, 2012)
 
 
10.12
Secured Convertible Promissory Note dated as of May 11, 2012 of the registrant issued to Alpha Capital Anstalt (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 17, 2012)
 
 
10.13
Class E Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Alpha Capital Anstalt (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 17, 2012)
 
 
10.14
Class F Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Alpha Capital Anstalt (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 17, 2012)
 
 
10.15
Class G Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Alpha Capital Anstalt (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 17, 2012)
 
 
10.16
Class H Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Alpha Capital Anstalt (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 17, 2012)
 
 
10.17
Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of May 10, 2012 between the Registrant, Artisan Specialty Foods, Inc. and David Vohaska (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 24, 2012)
 
 
10.18
Lease dated May 7, 2012 between Artisan Specialty Foods, Inc. and David and Sherri Vohaska (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 24, 2012)
 
 
10.19
Employment Agreement dated May 10, 2012 between Artisan Specialty Foods, Inc. and David Vohaska (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 24, 2012)
 
 
10.20
Loan Agreement between the registrant and Fifth Third Bank effective February 26, 2013 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2013)
 
 
10.21
Security Agreement between the registrant and Fifth Third Bank effective February 26, 2013. (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2013)
 
 
10.22
Mortgage by registrant in favor of Fifth Third Bank effective February 26, 2013. (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2013)
 
10.23
Note by registrant in favor of Fifth Third Bank effective February 26, 2013 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2013)
   
10.24
   
10.25
 
 
14
Code of Ethics (incorporated by reference to exhibit 14 of the Company’s Form 10-KSB/A for the year ended December 31, 2006, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 31, 2008).
   
21
 
 
31.1
 
 
31.2
 
 
32.1
 
 
32.2
 
 
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
 
 
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
 
 
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
 
 
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
 
 
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
 
 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
INNOVATIVE FOOD HOLDINGS, INC.
 
By:  /s/ Sam Klepfish                                                           
Sam Klepfish,
Chief Executive Officer and Director
 
Dated: March 30, 2017
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
Name
 
Title
 
Date
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Sam Klepfish                 
 
CEO and Director                                     
 
March 30, 2017
Sam Klepfish
 
(Chief Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ John McDonald          
 
Principal Accounting Officer                 
 
March 30, 2017
John McDonald
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Joel Gold                      
 
Director                                                     
 
March 30, 2017
Joel Gold
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Hank Cohn         
 
Director                                                     
 
March 30, 2017
Hank Cohn
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Justin Wiernasz 
 
Director                                                     
 
March 30, 2017
Justin Wiernasz
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
66
 
 
EXHIBIT 10.24
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT dated as of March __, 2017 by and between Innovative Food Holdings, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Florida (“ Employer ” or the “ Company ”) and [_______________] (“ Executive ”).


W   I   T   N   E   S   S   E   T   H :


WHEREAS, Executive is currently employed by the Company pursuant to the terms of an employment agreement expiring December 31, 2017 (the “ Current Agreement ”); and

WHEREAS, the Company now desires to employ Executive for the period commencing after the term of the Current Agreement (the “ Effective Date ”) on the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth, and Executive desires so to be employed;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth, the Company and Executive agree as follows:

1.            Duties .   Executive shall serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. In addition Executive shall serve as Chief Executive Officer of each of its subsidiary companies (unless otherwise determined by the Company’s board of directors), with such duties and authority as are generally incident to such positions, and in such other management position as the Company and Executive shall determine. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Executive shall manage the overall strategic direction and operations of the Company and its subsidiaries.  In performing his duties hereunder, Executive shall be subject to the direction of the Company's Board of Directors, but shall not be required to relocate to any location in order to perform his duties hereunder.

2.            Term of Employment .  The Company hereby employs the Executive as of the Effective Date, and Executive accepts employment by the Company on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.  The initial term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall end on December 31, 2019 (the “ Initial Term ”).  At the end of the Initial Term, the Term of Employment (as defined below) shall be automatically extended without further action of the parties for an additional one-year period (the “ Extended Term ”) unless, at least ninety (90) days before the expiration of the Initial Term or any Extended Term thereafter, a party provides notice in writing to the other party that the Term of Employment shall not be further extended (“ Notice Not to Extend ”).  The failure to timely deliver a Notice Not to Extend can be waived by Executive or by the Board of Directors at any time. In the event the Company delivers a Notice Not to Extend Notice the Executive will receive, by January 10 th following the year such notice was received, severance pay in an amount equal to four (4) months of his then Base salary (as defined below), in the form of a 1099 payment (without any withholding).  For purposes of this Agreement, the “ Term of Employment ” shall include the Initial Term and any Extended Term, but the Term of Employment shall end upon the conclusion of any non-extended Initial Term or Extended Term or upon any termination or separation of Executive’s employment with the

Company (the “ Termination Date ”).  For purposes of Sections 12-15 of this Agreement, the provision of a Notice Not to Extend the Term of Employment by either party to the other shall not constitute a termination of Executive’s employment by the Company with Cause, a Termination Without Cause or a resignation.

3.            Compensation .

(a)            As compensation for his services hereunder, the Company shall pay to Executive during the Term of Employment an annual base salary in an amount equal to the base salary for the last year of the Current Agreement (the “ Base Salary ”).  In addition, Executive will receive a percentage increase as outlined in Exhibit A for each year of the Term of Employment.  The Base Salary shall be paid in substantially equal installments no less often than semi-monthly in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices, subject to required tax withholding.

(b)            Executive shall be entitled to receive a bonus pursuant to the terms of Exhibit B attached hereto.  This bonus shall be payable by March 15 of the immediately following calendar year.

4.            Executive Health and Insurance Benefits .  Executive shall be entitled to participate in, and receive either personal or family health insurance of the highest tier of health insurance then offered by the Company’s insurance provider, and all other benefits and insurance currently offered to employees  of the Company or the cash equivalent of such health insurance and other benefits offered to executives, and the cash equivalent of  any life insurance policies or disability policies, currently providing such insurance and disability policies to Executive The Company shall be responsible for paying 100% of the cost of such health insurance and other life insurance and disability insurance  and shall pay, at the choice of Executive, either through direct payments to the insurance and benefit providers or through bi-weekly direct cash payments to Executive.

5.            Expenses .  The Company shall pay directly, or advance funds to Executive or reimburse Executive for, all expenses reasonably incurred by him in connection with the performance of his duties hereunder and the business of the Company including reimbursing certain fixed, recurring, work related local travel and transportation expenses in the form of a fixed expense allowance and for certain other expenses upon the submission to the Company of such itemized expense reports, receipts or vouchers. All the items in this Section are to be paid and reimbursed as per the Company’s expense policy, in effect at the time of this agreement, for executives and employees.

6.             Withholding .  All payments required to be made by the Company hereunder to Executive shall be subject to the withholding of such amounts relating to taxes and other governmental assessments as the Company may reasonably determine it should withhold pursuant to any applicable law, rule or regulation.  In the event Executive receives shares of the Company’s stock as compensation, the Company hereby agrees, unless otherwise directed by the Company’s chief executive officer, to pay withholding taxes on shares issued via a net issuance (i.e. the Company will reduce the number of shares delivered with a value equal to 30% of the value of the share compensation and pay the value of such withheld shares as taxes on behalf of Executive).

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7.            Intentionally omitted.

8.            Office .  Company shall provide Executive with suitable office space, furnishings and equipment, secretarial and clerical services and such other facilities and office support as are reasonably necessary for the performance of his services hereunder, either in the Company’s office space or in remote office spaces as determined by Executive, and as are customary for a chief executive officer.

9.            Vacation .  Executive shall be entitled to vacation as per the vacation policies of the Company for executives, with such vacation to be taken at such time or times as shall be agreed upon by Executive and the Chief Executive Officer.

10.            Confidential Information .

(a)            Executive shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company all confidential or proprietary information relating to or concerned with the Company and all of its subsidiaries and affiliated entities (collectively, “ Affiliates ”) or its and their products, prospective products, operations, business and affairs (“ Confidential Information ”) provided that the Company treats such information as confidential or proprietary, and Executive shall not, at any time hereafter, use or disclose any Confidential Information to any person other than to the Company or its designees or except as may otherwise be required in connection with the business and affairs of the Company and Executive’s performance of his duties hereunder, and in furtherance of the foregoing Executive agrees that:

(i)            Executive will receive, maintain and hold Confidential Information in strict confidence and will use a reasonable standard of care in safeguarding it, but no less than the same level of care in safeguarding it that he uses with his own confidential material of a similar nature;

(ii)            Executive will take all such steps as may be reasonably necessary to prevent the disclosure of Confidential Information; and

(iii)            Executive will not utilize Confidential Information without first having obtained the Company’s consent to such utilization, except as he reasonably determines may be required in connection with his duties hereunder and the business and affairs of the Company and its Affiliates.

(b)            The commitments set forth in Section 10(a) shall not extend to any portion of Confidential Information:

(i)            that is generally available to the public;

(ii)            that was known to the Executive prior to disclosure by the Company or its Affiliates;

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(iii)            that was not acquired, directly or indirectly and/or in any manner, from the Company or any of its Affiliates and which Executive lawfully had in his possession prior to the date of this Agreement (excluding, however, information that was disclosed to Executive in connection with his prior employment with the Company); or

(iv)            that, hereafter, through no act or omission on the part of Executive, becomes information generally available to the public.

(c)            At any time upon written request by the Company (i) the Confidential Information, including any copies, shall be returned to the Company, and (ii) all documents, drawings, specifications, computer software, and any other material whatsoever in the possession of Executive that relates to such Confidential Information, including all copies and/or any other form of reproduction and/or description thereof made by Executive shall, at the Company’s request be returned or destroyed.

(d)            In the event that Executive becomes legally compelled (by deposition, interrogatory, request of documents, subpoena, civil investigative demand or similar process) to disclose any of the Confidential Information, Executive shall provide the Company with prompt prior written notice of such requirement so that it may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy and/or waive compliance with the terms of this Agreement.  In the event that such protective order or other remedy is not obtained, or the Company waives compliance with the provisions hereof, Executive agrees to furnish only such portion of the Confidential Information that is legally required to be furnished.

(e)            For purposes of this Section 10, the term “ Company ” shall mean the Company and its Affiliates.

(f)            This Section 10 will survive any termination of this Agreement and resignation by Executive.

11.            Intellectual Property .

(a)            Any patent, claim of copyright, trademark, trade name, brand name, service mark, logo, symbol, trade dress or design, or representation or expression of any thereof, or registration or application for registration thereof, or any other improvement, development or discovery, invention, trade secret, process, system, technical information, know-how, proprietary right or intellectual property developed, conceived of, invented or otherwise produced by Executive, alone or with others in connection with the design, manufacture and marketing of the products of the Company or the Affiliates, or conceived, developed, created or made by Executive, alone or with others, during the Term of Employment and applicable to the business of the Company or the Affiliates, whether or not patentable or registrable (collectively referred to as “ Trade Rights ”) shall become the sole and exclusive property of the Company.

(b)            Executive shall disclose all Trade Rights promptly and completely to the Company and shall, during the Term of Employment or thereafter, (i) execute all documents requested by
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the Company for vesting with the Company the entire right, title and interest in and to the same, (ii) execute all documents requested by the Company for filing and procuring such applications for patents, trademarks, service marks or copyrights as the Company in its sole discretion, may desire to prosecute, and (iii) give the Company any and all assistance it may reasonably require, including the giving of testimony in any proceeding or hearing, in order to obtain, maintain and protect the Company’s right therein and thereto; provided that the Company shall bear the entire cost and expense of such assistance, including without limitation paying Executive reasonable compensation for any time or effort expended by him in connection with such assistance after the Termination Date (as defined below).  In furtherance of the foregoing, Executive acknowledges and agrees that for all purposes of U.S. and foreign Copyright Laws, the Trade Rights and any inventions, discoveries, enhancements or improvements to any tangible or intangible property, resulting from the services performed by Executive for the Company or the Affiliates (for the purposes of this Section all of the foregoing is collectively referred to as the “ Work ”), and any and all elements thereof, shall be deemed to constitute “ works for hire ” belonging to the Company within the meaning of Title 17, United States Code, Section 101, and any comparable provisions of the law of any other jurisdiction, such that all right, title and interest therein, including, without limitation, copyrights and exclusive rights under copyright, vest in the Company.  Executive hereby transfers and conveys to the Company the exclusive, world-wide, royalty-free, paid-up right to exploit, use, develop, license, and sell products and services relating to or derived from the Work; and the exclusive right, title and interest in and to all inventions, improvements, patent applications and letters patent, “know-how”, and all intellectual property and other rights, tangible or intangible, which relate to or are based upon or derived from the Work; and to all information, documents, and specifications that relate to the Work.  If the Work or any of the elements thereof is deemed not to be “works for hire” within the meaning of Title 17, United States Code, Section 101, then Executive hereby assigns and transfers to the Company all right, title and interest in and to the Work, including rights throughout the world for good and valuable consideration, receipt of which Executive hereby acknowledges.  For the sole and exclusive purpose of perfecting and documenting such limited assignment and transfer, Executive hereby grants to the Company an irrevocable power of attorney.

(c)            For purposes of this Section 11, the term “Company” shall mean the Company, and any Affiliates.

12.            Termination Upon Death or Disability .  Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate immediately upon his death.  In the event (i) Executive is unable to perform his duties hereunder by reason of any disability or incapacity (due to any physical or mental injury, illness or defect) as determined by a physician reasonably acceptable to Executive (which acceptance shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), or (ii) if Executive is unable to perform his duties due to other related reasons including, for example, the need for Executive to take family related leave or personal leave (inclusive of leave required to care for or be available for  any family members, or leave related to Executive’s health related issues), then the Executive shall notify the Company of his intent to take family leave or personal leave, including an estimate of the number of days which the executive will be on leave. Upon Notification, the  Company shall continue to pay Executive’s Base Salary and benefits during such events for up to 65 consecutive business days, or an aggregate of 70 business days in any consecutive 12-month period (the “ Compensation Period ”).  The
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Company shall have the right to terminate Executive’s employment hereunder within 15 business days after the end of the Compensation Period by giving Executive notice to such effect at least 15 business  days prior to the date of termination set forth in such notice, and such employment shall terminate.  In such event, Company shall continue to pay Executive’s Base Salary and benefits (as described in Section 4) for 12 months after the date of such termination.

13.            Termination by the Company with Cause .

(a)            In addition to any other rights or remedies provided by law or in this Agreement, the Company may terminate Executive’s employment upon the occurrence of any one or more of the following events, any of which shall be deemed a termination with “ Cause ” under this Agreement:

(i)            Executive is convicted of, or enters a plea of guilty or nolo contendere (which plea is not withdrawn prior to its approval by the court) to a felony, and either Executive fails to perfect an appeal of such conviction prior to the expiration of the maximum period of time within which, under applicable law or rules of court, such appeal may be perfected or, if Executive does perfect such an appeal, his conviction of a felony is sustained on appeal; or

(ii)            Executive has:

1.            Intentionally committed fraud against, or embezzled or misappropriated funds or other assets of, the Company or any Affiliate;

2.            Intentionally violated, or caused the Company or any Affiliate or any officer, Executive or other agent thereof, or any other person or entity to violate, any law, regulation or ordinance, which violation has or would reasonably be expected to have a significant detrimental effect on the Company or any Affiliate, or any rule, regulation, policy or practice established by the Board of Directors of the Company or any Affiliate; or

3.            Repeatedly intentionally violated, or repeatedly intentionally failed to perform or satisfy any material covenant, material condition or material obligation required to be performed or satisfied by Executive hereunder as reasonably determined by the Company’s Board of Directors.

(b)            The Company shall effect such termination for Cause under paragraph (a) of this Section by giving Executive notice to such effect, setting forth in reasonable detail the factual basis for such termination and the date of termination.  Such notice shall be given at least thirty (30) business days prior to the date of termination set forth therein and Executive may avoid such termination if Executive, prior to the date of termination set forth in such notice, cures or explains to the Board of Directors of the Company, the reasons why the termination should not be effected.

(c) During the term of the notice Executive will be immediately suspended with pay, unless and until the Board of Directors determines to lift the suspension.

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14.            Termination by the Company without Cause .  Any termination of Executive for reasons other than as specifically detailed in Section 12 or 13 is a breach of this Agreement and is considered a “ Termination Without Cause ”.

15.            Right to Resign. If any of the terms of this Agreement are breached by the Company, including but not limited to any changes in Sections 1-9 of this Agreement, Executive has the right to resign. If Executive resigns pursuant to this Section, it will be treated as a Termination Without Cause. Prior to resigning, Executive shall provide written notice to the Company three (3) business days prior to the effective date of such resignation.  The notice shall state the basis for the resignation and describe the Company’s breach of this Agreement.  The Company shall then have the right to cure such breach(es) within three (3) business days.  However, the Company’s right to cure such breach(es) does not apply to non-payment in full, or the reduction of, Base Salary, unless such reduction or non-payment was demonstrated to the Executive to be unintentional by the Company. If Executive resigns without a breach of this Agreement by the Company, the provisions of Section 16(b) will apply except that the Termination Payment (as defined below) shall be extended to a period equal to two (2) times the period specified in Section 16(b) (the “ Expanded Period ”) and shall be paid at the beginning of each month of the Expanded Period and any shares which have not vested solely due to pricing and volume related conditions shall immediately vest and such shares shall be delivered to Executive within five (5) business days and the Company shall promptly provide a 144 opinion upon request, when applicable and assist in depositing such shares in a brokerage account. .In addition, in order to receive any items described in Section 16(b), Executive must agree to assist in transition and provide consulting services to the Company including any travel at Company’s request, for a minimum of 20 hours per week, during business hours, for the duration of the Expanded Period. After the Expanded Period, Executive commits, on a reasonable best efforts basis, to assisting the Company from time to time with reasonable requests, at the Company’s expense. In the event Executive does not fully comply with his obligations and duties for the entire Expanded Period, the Company shall have no obligation of any kind to compensate Executive and any monies paid to Executive post resignation shall be returned to the Company.

16.            Compensation upon Termination .

(a)            Any Termination Without Cause shall result in all monies, compensation, bonuses and benefits that would have been payable through the then remaining Term of Employment, and any bonuses that had been earned in any prior fiscal years that have not been paid becoming due and payable (“ Without Cause Payment ”).  The Without Cause Payment shall also include all bonuses that Executive would have earned through the Term of Employment had his employment not been terminated (” Future Bonus Payments ”).  Upon a Termination Without Cause, all unvested Company securities owned by Executive (e.g. options, restricted stock units, restricted stock awards, etc.) shall immediately accelerate and become exercisable or vest, as the case may be.  All amounts of Without Cause Payment (other than Future Bonus Payments) shall be paid to Executive within ten (10) business days of the Termination Date and all Future Bonus payments shall be paid according to the regular bonus schedule provide above had Executive not been terminated.  If any of such monies are not timely paid Executive will be entitled to (i) legal representation by Executive’s choice, paid for by the Company, to enforce, as determined by
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Executive’s legal counsel, any of Executive’s rights under this Agreement regardless of the outcome of the case, and (ii) interest at the highest rate allowed under law, until paid, for any amounts of Without Cause Payment not timely paid by the Company.  However, in the event the tribunal (mediator, arbitrator or court, as appropriate) determines that Executive did not prevail on his claim, Executive shall be liable to reimburse the Company for all funds expended by the Company pursuant to the prior sentence together with interest on such advanced funds at the highest rate allowed by law.

(b)            Upon termination of Executive’s employment with Cause hereunder, he shall  be entitled to receive, in any case, any compensation or other amount due to him pursuant to Sections 3-5 in respect of his employment prior to the Termination Date, and any compensation amounts Executive would have received pursuant thereto for the 45 day period following the Termination Date had Executive been employed by the Company (“ Termination Payment ”). Also, upon such termination with Cause, Executive shall forfeit all earned but not paid bonuses, any unearned bonuses, and all unvested shares. However, prior to receiving any funds pursuant hereto, Executive must deliver a general release to the Company, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company, covering the Company and its Affiliates and each of their respective officers, directors and agents.  Except as otherwise provided in this Section 16(b), the Company shall have no further obligation to Executive hereunder.  Any amount payable to Executive pursuant to this Section 16(b) upon termination of his employment hereunder shall be paid within ten (10) days, after the Termination Date.

17.            Other Consequences of Termination .  Upon the termination of Executive’s employment (for whatever reason and howsoever arising) Executive shall, without waiving any rights he may have pursuant to the terms hereof or otherwise:

(i)           at the request of the Board immediately resign without claim for compensation from any office, if any, held by him in the Company and any Affiliate (but without prejudice to any claim for damages for breach of this Agreement or for any compensation which otherwise may be payable pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise) and in the event of his failure to do so the Company is hereby irrevocably authorized to appoint some person in his name and on his behalf to sign and deliver such resignation(s) to the Board; and
 
(ii)            immediately repay all outstanding debts or loans due to the Company or any Affiliate, and the Company is hereby authorized to deduct from any payments due to Executive a sum in repayment of all or any part of any such debts or loans.

18.            Non-Competition; Solicitation .

(a)            Executive agrees that during his employment with the Company and for a period of two years after Executive leaves the Company’s employ for any reason (or two years after the end of the Expanded  Period in the event Executive resigns without the occurrence of a Company breach), he shall not, without the written consent of the Company, directly or indirectly, either individually or as an Executive, agent, partner, shareholder, consultant, option holder, lender of
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money, guarantor or in any other capacity, participate in, engage in or have a financial interest or management position or other interest in any business, firm, corporation or other entity if it competes directly with any business operation conducted by the Company or its Affiliates or any successor or assign thereof at the time Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated.

(b)            In addition to the limitations contained in (a) above, during such two year restricted period, Executive will not engage in any form of commercial enterprise with any of the Company’s suppliers or vendors without written consent , other than the retail purchase of food as a normal consumer.

(c)            Executive will not at any time during his employment with the Company and for a period of two years after Executive leaves the Company’s employ for any reason, solicit (or assist or encourage the solicitation of) any employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates to work for Executive or for any business, firm, corporation or other entity in which Executive, directly or indirectly, in any capacity described in Section 18(a) hereof, participates or engages (or expects to participate or engage) or has (or expects to have) a financial interest or management position.

(d)            If any of the covenants contained in this Section 18 or any part thereof, is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable because of the duration of such provision, the activity limited by or the subject of such provision and/or the area covered thereby, then the court making such determination shall construe such restriction so as to thereafter be limited or reduced to be enforceable to the greatest extent permissible by applicable law.

(e)            If Executive is terminated without Cause (including resignation pursuant to Section 15) the provisions of this Section 18 shall be null and void.

(f)            For purposes of this Section 16, (i) the term “Company” shall mean the Company and any Affiliates (ii) any act which Executive is prohibited from engaging in pursuant to this Section 18, he is also prohibited from soliciting, hiring, encouraging or retaining any other person to engage in any such activity; and (iii) participation by Executive in the operation of any business other than in connection with the operation of a business which is in competition with the Company or any of its Affiliates or any successor or assign thereof shall not be deemed to be a breach of this Section 18 and the foregoing provisions of this Section 18 shall not prohibit the ownership by Executive (as the result of open market purchase) of 1% or less of any class of capital stock of a corporation which is regularly traded on a national securities exchange, on the NASDAQ System or on an over-the-counter system.

19.            Non-Disparagement .  During the Term of Employment and following Executive’s termination of employment, Executive agrees not to make any disparaging statements, remarks or comments with respect to the Company, the Board and the executive officers of the Company, whether written or oral and the Company shall not make, or allow to be made on its behalf, any disparaging statements, remarks or comments about Executive and agrees to instruct its officer, directors and employees not to make statements, remarks or comments. This Section shall survive any resignation of Executive or any termination of this Agreement.

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20.            Equitable Remedies .  Executive acknowledges that he has been employed for his unique talents and that his leaving the employ of the Company during the Term of Employment of this Agreement would seriously hamper the business of the Company and that the Company will suffer irreparable damage if any provision of Sections 11, 12 or 18 hereof are not performed strictly in accordance with their terms or are otherwise breached.  Executive hereby expressly agrees that the Company shall be entitled as a matter of right to injunctive or other equitable relief, in addition to all other remedies permitted by law, to prevent a breach or violation by Executive and to secure enforcement of the provisions of Sections 11, 12 or 18 hereof.  Similarly, Executive stands to be significantly harmed if Section 19 is breached by the Company and the Company hereby expressly agrees that Executive shall be entitled as a matter of right to injunctive or other equitable relief, in addition to all other remedies permitted by law, to prevent a breach or violation by the Company and to secure enforcement of the provisions of Section 19 hereof.  For purposes of the preceding sentence, the Company shall be responsible for the statements of its officers, directors and employees and any disparaging statement by such person shall be deemed a breach by the Company and Executive’s rights hereunder, including to injunctive or other equitable relief, shall be triggered. Resort to such equitable relief, however, shall not constitute a waiver of any other rights or remedies that a party may have .

21.            Limitation of Authority .  Except as expressly provided herein, no provision hereof shall be deemed to authorize or empower either party hereto to act on behalf of, obligate or bind the other party hereto.

22.            Notices .  All notices which are required by or may be given pursuant to the terms of this Agreement must be in writing and must be delivered personally, sent for next-day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or by facsimile or email (with written confirmation of transmission) provided, that, notice is also sent via first class, postage prepaid, mail, or sent for next-day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service) as follows:

to the Company:
28411 Race Track Road
Bonita Springs, FL 34135
Attn:      CEO
Fax:        866-343-6491

with a copy to:                        Feder Kaszovitz LLP
845 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Attn:      Howard I. Rhine, Esq.
Fax:        (212) 888-7776

to Executive:
To Executive’s home address set forth on the records of the Company.

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Any of the addresses set forth above may be changed from time to time by written notice from the party requesting the change.  Such notices and other communications will be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as being effective immediately if delivered personally or by email or facsimile (with written confirmation of transmission), or five days after mailing by certified mail, return receipt requested, first class postage prepaid, or one day after deposit for next business day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service.

23.            Amendment .  Except as otherwise provided herein, no amendment of this Agreement shall be valid or effective, unless in writing and signed by or on behalf of the parties hereto.

24.            Waiver .  No course of dealing or omission or delay on the part of either party hereto in asserting or exercising any right hereunder shall constitute or operate as a waiver of any such right.  No waiver of any provision hereof shall be effective, unless in writing and signed by or on behalf of the party to be charged therewith.  No waiver shall be deemed a continuing waiver or waiver in respect of any other or subsequent breach or default, unless expressly so stated in writing.

25.            Governing Law .  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND INTERPRETED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICT OF LAWS.

26.            Arbitration .  Other than as provided in Sections 20 and 27 all controversies, claims or disputes arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be solely and exclusively settled by arbitration in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules then in effect (the "Arbitration Rules") of the American Arbitration Association (the “AAA”).  The arbitration shall take place in the New York (or if the AAA does not have an office in the New York then the arbitration shall be held in the city closest to New York in which the AAA has an office to conduct hearings), and the arbitrator shall be appointed by the mutual consent of the parties.  If the parties are unable to agree upon the appointment of an arbitrator, then the arbitration shall take place in said AAA office before a panel of three arbitrators selected in accordance with the Arbitration Rules. The non-prevailing party of the arbitration (as determined by the arbitrator(s)) shall be responsible for all of the arbitration fees incurred by the prevailing side as well as the reasonable legal fees of such prevailing party, as the arbitrator(s) shall determine.

27.            Mediation .  Prior to seeking arbitration, the parties shall use good faith efforts to resolve any disputes as follows:  Any party hereto asserting any claim or objection to the action by the other party hereto or otherwise seeking to enforce any right hereunder (the "claimant") shall give written notice of such claim to such other party hereto setting forth therein in reasonable detail the factual basis for such claim, the provisions of this Agreement relating thereto and the amount of monetary damages or other relief sought from the other party hereto (the "respondent"). The respondent shall, within five (5) business days of the giving of such notice, respond to such claim by written notice accepting or denying such claim in whole or in part, setting forth therein in reasonable detail the basis for such response. If the claimant and respondent are unable to resolve such claim in full within ten (10) business days after the giving of such responsive notice, the
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parties shall submit the dispute to nonbinding mediation through the services of a mutually agreed upon (which agreement shall not be unreasonably withheld) neutral third party if they cannot agree on a mediator each side shall pick a mediator and the two mediators shall pick a third mediator who will be the mediator for the case.  If the parties are still unable to resolve their differences after mediation, they shall proceed to arbitration as described in Section 26.  The parties may disclose the suggestion of the mediator to the arbitrator.  It is the intent of the parties that this mediation process shall provide a quick and inexpensive way to resolve any differences.  Accordingly, the mediator shall be instructed to expedite the process and minimize expenses by, among other things, restricting discovery and witnesses.  The parties shall split the cost of the mediator.

28.            Severability .  The provisions hereof are severable and in the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions hereof shall not be affected, but shall, subject to the discretion of such court, remain in full force and effect, and any invalid or unenforceable provision shall be deemed, without further action on the part of the parties hereto, amended and limited to the extent necessary to render the same valid and enforceable.

29.            Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

30.            Further Assurances .  Each party hereto shall promptly execute, deliver, file or record such agreements, instruments, certificates and other documents and perform such other and further acts as any other party hereto may reasonably request or as may otherwise be reasonably necessary or proper, to carry out the provisions of this Agreement.

31.            Binding Effect .  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.  This Agreement is not intended, and shall not be deemed, to create or confer any right or interest for the benefit of any person or entity not a party hereto.  This Agreement shall not have any validity prior to the Effective Date.

32.            Titles Captions and Other Agreements .  The titles and captions of the Articles and Sections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and do not in any way define or interpret the intent of the parties or modify or otherwise affect any of the provisions hereof.

33.            Company Right of First Refusal; Share Registration Rights; The Company will file a registration statement on Form S-8 if requested by Executive.  Promptly upon Executive’s request, the Company shall cause its counsel to issue a 144-opinion letter, when lawfully permitted, and will assist Executive, at no charge, to help Executive place his shares into a brokerage account. In addition, Executive acknowledges that the Company has a right of first refusal with respect to certain shares Executive may desire to sell into the open market or in a private transaction, pursuant to the terms of the Company’s Right of First Refusal Policy for executives of the Company.

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34.            Current Employment Agreement . The terms of this Agreement shall apply to the Executive’s Current Employment Agreement, with the exception of Base Salary, and any conflict between the two Agreements and any other conflict between any other agreements between the Company and the Executive, shall be resolved in favor of Executive. Any shares or share related compensation which have not yet vested or any bonuses which have not yet been earned will not be affected to the detriment of the Executive by this Agreement.  Any bonuses in the Current Agreement associated with Food Hatch and Company Spinoffs shall be in effect and be considered a bonus under Section 3(b) of  this Agreement.

35.            Remedies .  In the event of any actual or prospective breach or default under this Agreement by either party hereto, the other party shall be entitled to equitable relief, including remedies in the nature of rescission, injunction and specific performance.  All remedies hereunder are cumulative and not exclusive, and nothing herein shall be deemed to prohibit or limit either party from pursuing any other remedy or relief available at law or in equity for such actual or prospective breach or default, including the recovery of damages.

36.            Assignment .  This Agreement, and each right, interest and obligation hereunder, may not be assigned by either party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party hereto, and any purported assignment without such consent shall be void and without effect, except that this Agreement shall be assigned to, and assumed by, any person or entity with or into which the Company merges or consolidates, or which acquires all or substantially all of its assets, or which otherwise succeeds to and continues the Company’s business substantially as an entirety.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or required by law, Executive shall not have any power of anticipation, assignment or alienation of any payments required to be made to him hereunder, and no other person or entity may acquire any right or interest in any thereof by reason of any purported sale, assignment or other disposition thereof, whether voluntary or involuntary, any claim in a bankruptcy or other insolvency proceeding against Executive, or any other ruling, judgment, order, writ or decree.

37.            Grammatical Conventions .  Whenever the context so requires, each pronoun or verb used herein shall be construed in the singular or the plural sense and each capitalized term defined herein and each pronoun used herein shall be construed in the masculine, feminine or neuter sense.

38.            References .  The terms “herein,” “hereto,” “hereof,” “hereby,” and “hereunder,” and other terms of similar import, refer to this Agreement as a whole, and not to any Section or other part hereof.

39.            No Presumptions .  Each party hereto acknowledges that it has had an opportunity to consult with counsel and has participated in the preparation of this Agreement.  No party hereto is entitled to any presumption with respect to the interpretation of any provision hereof or the resolution of any alleged ambiguity herein based on any claim that the other party hereto drafted or controlled the drafting of this Agreement.

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40.            Entire Agreement .  This Agreement embodies the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior or contemporaneous, written or oral, agreements, commitments or arrangements relating thereto.



(Signature Page Follows)
 
 
 
 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

EMPLOYER:

INNOVATIVE FOOD HOLDINGS, INC.
 

By:            ________________________________
Name:   Justin Wiernasz
Title: President

 

EXECUTIVE:

 
______________________________________
Sam Klepfish




 


[Signature Page – Employment Agreement]
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EXHIBIT A

PERCENTAGE INCREASE ON BASE SALARY

The increase in Base Salary for 2018 and 2019 shall be determined by the Innovative Food Holdings Executive Compensation Committee.





 





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EXHIBIT B

BONUS TERMS

Bonuses for 2018 and 2019 shall be determined by the Innovative Food Holdings Executive Compensation Committee.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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EXHIBIT 10.25
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT dated as of March __, 2017 by and between Innovative Food Holdings, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Florida (“ Employer ” or the “ Company ”) and [_______________] (“ Executive ”).


W   I   T   N   E   S   S   E   T   H :


WHEREAS, Executive is currently employed by the Company pursuant to the terms of an employment agreement expiring December 31, 2017 (the “ Current Agreement ”); and

WHEREAS, the Company now desires to employ Executive for the period commencing after the term of the Current Agreement (the “ Effective Date ”) on the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth, and Executive desires so to be employed;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth, the Company and Executive agree as follows:

1.            Duties .   Executive shall serve as the President and Chief Marketing Officer of the Company. In addition, Executive, shall serve as President   of each of its subsidiary companies (unless otherwise determined by the Company), with such duties and authority as are generally incident to such positions, and in such other management position as the Company and Executive shall determine. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Executive shall (i) develop a sales program and sales staff; (ii) if the Corporation shall so determine, shall assist the Corporation in developing support staff; (iii) shall solicit sales of the Corporation's product; (iv) report directly to the CEO; (v) perform such responsibilities and duties as designated by the Chief Executive Officer; and (iv) perform other duties as requested by the Chief Executive Officer.   In performing his duties hereunder, the Executive shall be subject to the direction of the Corporation's Board of Directors and its Chief Executive Office and shall not be required to relocate to any location in order to perform his duties hereunder

2.            Term of Employment .  The Company hereby employs the Executive as of the Effective Date, and Executive accepts employment by the Company on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.  The initial term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall end on December 31, 2019 (the “ Initial Term ”).  At the end of the Initial Term, the Term of Employment (as defined below) shall be automatically extended without further action of the parties for an additional one-year period (the “ Extended Term ”) unless, at least ninety (90) days before the expiration of the Initial Term or any Extended Term thereafter, a party provides notice in writing to the other party that the Term of Employment shall not be further extended (“ Notice Not to Extend ”).  The failure to timely deliver a Notice Not to Extend can be waived by Executive or by the Board of Directors at any time. In the event the Company delivers a Notice Not to Extend Notice the Executive will receive, by January 10 th following the year such notice was received, severance pay in an amount equal to four (4) months of his then Base salary (as defined below), in the form of a 1099 payment (without any withholding).  For purposes of this

Agreement, the “ Term of Employment ” shall include the Initial Term and any Extended Term, but the Term of Employment shall end upon the conclusion of any non-extended Initial Term or Extended Term or upon any termination or separation of Executive’s employment with the Company (the “ Termination Date ”).  For purposes of Sections 12-15 of this Agreement, the provision of a Notice Not to Extend the Term of Employment by either party to the other shall not constitute a termination of Executive’s employment by the Company with Cause, a Termination Without Cause or a resignation.

3.            Compensation .

(a)            As compensation for his services hereunder, the Company shall pay to Executive during the Term of Employment an annual base salary in an amount equal to the base salary for the last year of the Current Agreement (the “ Base Salary ”).  In addition, Executive will receive a percentage increase as outlined in Exhibit A for each year of the Term of Employment.  The Base Salary shall be paid in substantially equal installments no less often than semi-monthly in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices, subject to required tax withholding.

(b)            Executive shall be entitled to receive a bonus pursuant to the terms of Exhibit B attached hereto.  This bonus shall be payable by March 15 of the immediately following calendar year.

4.            Executive Health and Insurance Benefits .  Executive shall be entitled to participate in, and receive either personal or family health insurance of the highest tier of health insurance then offered by the Company’s insurance provider, and all other benefits and insurance currently offered to employees  of the Company or the cash equivalent of such health insurance and other benefits offered to executives, and the cash equivalent of  any life insurance policies or disability policies, currently providing such insurance and disability policies to Executive The Company shall be responsible for paying 100% of the cost of such health insurance and other life insurance and disability insurance  and shall pay, at the choice of Executive, either through direct payments to the insurance and benefit providers or through bi-weekly direct cash payments to Executive.

5.            Expenses .  The Company shall pay directly, or advance funds to Executive or reimburse Executive for, all expenses reasonably incurred by him in connection with the performance of his duties hereunder and the business of the Company including reimbursing certain fixed, recurring, work related local travel and transportation expenses in the form of a fixed expense allowance and for certain other expenses upon the submission to the Company of such itemized expense reports, receipts or vouchers. All the items in this Section are to be paid and reimbursed as per the Company’s expense policy, in effect at the time of this agreement, for executives and employees.

6.             Withholding .  All payments required to be made by the Company hereunder to Executive shall be subject to the withholding of such amounts relating to taxes and other governmental assessments as the Company may reasonably determine it should withhold pursuant to any applicable law, rule or regulation.  In the event Executive receives shares of the Company’s stock as compensation, the Company hereby agrees, unless otherwise directed by the Company’s chief executive officer, to pay withholding taxes on shares issued via a net issuance (i.e. the Company
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will reduce the number of shares delivered with a value equal to 30% of the value of the share compensation and pay the value of such withheld shares as taxes on behalf of Executive).

7.            Intentionally omitted.

8.            Office .   Office shall be located in Bonita Springs Florida or in other locations as determined by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, The Company shall provide Executive with suitable office space, furnishings and equipment, secretarial and clerical services and such other facilities and office support as are reasonably necessary for the performance of his services hereunder, either in the Company’s office space or in other remote office spaces as needed and are customary for an executive officer

9.            Vacation .  Executive shall be entitled to vacation as per the vacation policies of the Company for executives, with such vacation to be taken at such time or times as shall be agreed upon by Executive and the Chief Executive Officer.

10.            Confidential Information .

(a)            Executive shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company all confidential or proprietary information relating to or concerned with the Company and all of its subsidiaries and affiliated entities (collectively, “ Affiliates ”) or its and their products, prospective products, operations, business and affairs (“ Confidential Information ”) provided that the Company treats such information as confidential or proprietary, and Executive shall not, at any time hereafter, use or disclose any Confidential Information to any person other than to the Company or its designees or except as may otherwise be required in connection with the business and affairs of the Company and Executive’s performance of his duties hereunder, and in furtherance of the foregoing Executive agrees that:

(i)            Executive will receive, maintain and hold Confidential Information in strict confidence and will use a reasonable standard of care in safeguarding it, but no less than the same level of care in safeguarding it that he uses with his own confidential material of a similar nature;

(ii)            Executive will take all such steps as may be reasonably necessary to prevent the disclosure of Confidential Information; and

(iii)            Executive will not utilize Confidential Information without first having obtained the Company’s consent to such utilization, except as he reasonably determines may be required in connection with his duties hereunder and the business and affairs of the Company and its Affiliates.

(b)            The commitments set forth in Section 10(a) shall not extend to any portion of Confidential Information:

(i)            that is generally available to the public;

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(ii)            that was known to the Executive prior to disclosure by the Company or its Affiliates;

(iii)            that was not acquired, directly or indirectly and/or in any manner, from the Company or any of its Affiliates and which Executive lawfully had in his possession prior to the date of this Agreement (excluding, however, information that was disclosed to Executive in connection with his prior employment with the Company); or

(iv)            that, hereafter, through no act or omission on the part of Executive, becomes information generally available to the public.

(c)            At any time upon written request by the Company (i) the Confidential Information, including any copies, shall be returned to the Company, and (ii) all documents, drawings, specifications, computer software, and any other material whatsoever in the possession of Executive that relates to such Confidential Information, including all copies and/or any other form of reproduction and/or description thereof made by Executive shall, at the Company’s request be returned or destroyed.

(d)            In the event that Executive becomes legally compelled (by deposition, interrogatory, request of documents, subpoena, civil investigative demand or similar process) to disclose any of the Confidential Information, Executive shall provide the Company with prompt prior written notice of such requirement so that it may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy and/or waive compliance with the terms of this Agreement.  In the event that such protective order or other remedy is not obtained, or the Company waives compliance with the provisions hereof, Executive agrees to furnish only such portion of the Confidential Information that is legally required to be furnished.

(e)            For purposes of this Section 10, the term “ Company ” shall mean the Company and its Affiliates.

(f)            This Section 10 will survive any termination of this Agreement and resignation by Executive.

11.            Intellectual Property .

(a)            Any patent, claim of copyright, trademark, trade name, brand name, service mark, logo, symbol, trade dress or design, or representation or expression of any thereof, or registration or application for registration thereof, or any other improvement, development or discovery, invention, trade secret, process, system, technical information, know-how, proprietary right or intellectual property developed, conceived of, invented or otherwise produced by Executive, alone or with others in connection with the design, manufacture and marketing of the products of the Company or the Affiliates, or conceived, developed, created or made by Executive, alone or with others, during the Term of Employment and applicable to the business of the Company or the Affiliates, whether or not patentable or registrable (collectively referred to as “ Trade Rights ”) shall become the sole and exclusive property of the Company.
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(b)            Executive shall disclose all Trade Rights promptly and completely to the Company and shall, during the Term of Employment or thereafter, (i) execute all documents requested by the Company for vesting with the Company the entire right, title and interest in and to the same, (ii) execute all documents requested by the Company for filing and procuring such applications for patents, trademarks, service marks or copyrights as the Company in its sole discretion, may desire to prosecute, and (iii) give the Company any and all assistance it may reasonably require, including the giving of testimony in any proceeding or hearing, in order to obtain, maintain and protect the Company’s right therein and thereto; provided that the Company shall bear the entire cost and expense of such assistance, including without limitation paying Executive reasonable compensation for any time or effort expended by him in connection with such assistance after the Termination Date (as defined below).  In furtherance of the foregoing, Executive acknowledges and agrees that for all purposes of U.S. and foreign Copyright Laws, the Trade Rights and any inventions, discoveries, enhancements or improvements to any tangible or intangible property, resulting from the services performed by Executive for the Company or the Affiliates (for the purposes of this Section all of the foregoing is collectively referred to as the “ Work ”), and any and all elements thereof, shall be deemed to constitute “ works for hire ” belonging to the Company within the meaning of Title 17, United States Code, Section 101, and any comparable provisions of the law of any other jurisdiction, such that all right, title and interest therein, including, without limitation, copyrights and exclusive rights under copyright, vest in the Company.  Executive hereby transfers and conveys to the Company the exclusive, world-wide, royalty-free, paid-up right to exploit, use, develop, license, and sell products and services relating to or derived from the Work; and the exclusive right, title and interest in and to all inventions, improvements, patent applications and letters patent, “know-how”, and all intellectual property and other rights, tangible or intangible, which relate to or are based upon or derived from the Work; and to all information, documents, and specifications that relate to the Work.  If the Work or any of the elements thereof is deemed not to be “works for hire” within the meaning of Title 17, United States Code, Section 101, then Executive hereby assigns and transfers to the Company all right, title and interest in and to the Work, including rights throughout the world for good and valuable consideration, receipt of which Executive hereby acknowledges.  For the sole and exclusive purpose of perfecting and documenting such limited assignment and transfer, Executive hereby grants to the Company an irrevocable power of attorney.

(c)            For purposes of this Section 11, the term “Company” shall mean the Company, and any Affiliates.

12.            Termination Upon Death or Disability .  Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate immediately upon his death.  In the event (i) Executive is unable to perform his duties hereunder by reason of any disability or incapacity (due to any physical or mental injury, illness or defect) as determined by a physician reasonably acceptable to Executive (which acceptance shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), or (ii) if Executive is unable to perform his duties due to other related reasons including, for example, the need for Executive to take family related leave or personal leave (inclusive of leave required to care for or be available for  any family members, or leave related to Executive’s health related issues), then the Executive shall notify the Company of his intent to take family leave or personal leave, including an estimate of the number of days which
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the executive will be on leave. Upon Notification, the  Company shall continue to pay Executive’s Base Salary and benefits during such events for up to 65 consecutive business days, or an aggregate of 70 business days in any consecutive 12-month period (the “ Compensation Period ”).  The Company shall have the right to terminate Executive’s employment hereunder within 15 business days after the end of the Compensation Period by giving Executive notice to such effect at least 15 business  days prior to the date of termination set forth in such notice, and such employment shall terminate.  In such event, Company shall continue to pay Executive’s Base Salary and benefits (as described in Section 4) for 12 months after the date of such termination.

13.            Termination by the Company with Cause .

(a)            In addition to any other rights or remedies provided by law or in this Agreement, the Company may terminate Executive’s employment upon the occurrence of any one or more of the following events, any of which shall be deemed a termination with “ Cause ” under this Agreement:

(i)            Executive is convicted of, or enters a plea of guilty or nolo contendere (which plea is not withdrawn prior to its approval by the court) to a felony, and either Executive fails to perfect an appeal of such conviction prior to the expiration of the maximum period of time within which, under applicable law or rules of court, such appeal may be perfected or, if Executive does perfect such an appeal, his conviction of a felony is sustained on appeal; or

(ii)            Executive has:

1.            Intentionally committed fraud against, or embezzled or misappropriated funds or other assets of, the Company or any Affiliate;

2.            Intentionally violated, or caused the Company or any Affiliate or any officer, Executive or other agent thereof, or any other person or entity to violate, any law, regulation or ordinance, which violation has or would reasonably be expected to have a significant detrimental effect on the Company or any Affiliate, or any rule, regulation, policy or practice established by the Board of Directors of the Company or any Affiliate; or

3.            Repeatedly intentionally violated, or repeatedly intentionally failed to perform or satisfy any material covenant, material condition or material obligation required to be performed or satisfied by Executive hereunder as reasonably determined by the Company’s Board of Directors.

(b)            The Company shall effect such termination for Cause under paragraph (a) of this Section by giving Executive notice to such effect, setting forth in reasonable detail the factual basis for such termination and the date of termination.  Such notice shall be given at least thirty (30) business days prior to the date of termination set forth therein and Executive may avoid such termination if Executive, prior to the date of termination set forth in such notice, cures or explains to the Board of Directors of the Company, the reasons why the termination should not be effected.

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(c) During the term of the notice Executive will be immediately suspended with pay, unless and until the Board of Directors determines to lift the suspension.

14.            Termination by the Company without Cause .  Any termination of Executive for reasons other than as specifically detailed in Section 12 or 13 is a breach of this Agreement and is considered a “ Termination Without Cause ”.

15.            Right to Resign. If any of the terms of this Agreement are breached by the Company, including but not limited to any changes in Sections 1-9 of this Agreement, Executive has the right to resign. If Executive resigns pursuant to this Section, it will be treated as a Termination Without Cause. Prior to resigning, Executive shall provide written notice to the Company three (3) business days prior to the effective date of such resignation.  The notice shall state the basis for the resignation and describe the Company’s breach of this Agreement.  The Company shall then have the right to cure such breach(es) within three (3) business days.  However, the Company’s right to cure such breach(es) does not apply to non-payment in full, or the reduction of, Base Salary, unless such reduction or non-payment was demonstrated to the Executive to be unintentional by the Company. If Executive resigns without a breach of this Agreement by the Company, the provisions of Section 16(b) will apply except that the Termination Payment (as defined below) shall be extended to a period equal to two (2) times the period specified in Section 16(b) (the “ Expanded Period ”) and shall be paid at the beginning of each month of the Expanded Period and any shares which have not vested solely due to pricing and volume related conditions shall immediately vest and such shares shall be delivered to Executive within five (5) business days and the Company shall promptly provide a 144 opinion upon request, when applicable and assist in depositing such shares in a brokerage account. .In addition, in order to receive any items described in Section 16(b), Executive must agree to assist in transition and provide consulting services to the Company including any travel at Company’s request, for a minimum of 20 hours per week, during business hours, for the duration of the Expanded Period. After the Expanded Period, Executive commits, on a reasonable best efforts basis, to assisting the Company from time to time with reasonable requests, at the Company’s expense. In the event Executive does not fully comply with his obligations and duties for the entire Expanded Period, the Company shall have no obligation of any kind to compensate Executive and any monies paid to Executive post resignation shall be returned to the Company.

16.            Compensation upon Termination .

(a)            Any Termination Without Cause shall result in all monies, compensation, bonuses and benefits that would have been payable through the then remaining Term of Employment, and any bonuses that had been earned in any prior fiscal years that have not been paid becoming due and payable (“ Without Cause Payment ”).  The Without Cause Payment shall also include all bonuses that Executive would have earned through the Term of Employment had his employment not been terminated (” Future Bonus Payments ”).  Upon a Termination Without Cause, all unvested Company securities owned by Executive (e.g. options, restricted stock units, restricted stock awards, etc.) shall immediately accelerate and become exercisable or vest, as the case may be.  All amounts of Without Cause Payment (other than Future Bonus Payments) shall be paid to Executive within ten (10) business days of the Termination Date and all Future Bonus payments
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shall be paid according to the regular bonus schedule provide above had Executive not been terminated.  If any of such monies are not timely paid Executive will be entitled to (i) legal representation by Executive’s choice, paid for by the Company, to enforce, as determined by Executive’s legal counsel, any of Executive’s rights under this Agreement regardless of the outcome of the case, and (ii) interest at the highest rate allowed under law, until paid, for any amounts of Without Cause Payment not timely paid by the Company.  However, in the event the tribunal (mediator, arbitrator or court, as appropriate) determines that Executive did not prevail on his claim, Executive shall be liable to reimburse the Company for all funds expended by the Company pursuant to the prior sentence together with interest on such advanced funds at the highest rate allowed by law.

(b)            Upon termination of Executive’s employment with Cause hereunder, he shall  be entitled to receive, in any case, any compensation or other amount due to him pursuant to Sections 3-5 in respect of his employment prior to the Termination Date, and any compensation amounts Executive would have received pursuant thereto for the 45 day period following the Termination Date had Executive been employed by the Company (“ Termination Payment ”). Also, upon such termination with Cause, Executive shall forfeit all earned but not paid bonuses, any unearned bonuses, and all unvested shares. However, prior to receiving any funds pursuant hereto, Executive must deliver a general release to the Company, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company, covering the Company and its Affiliates and each of their respective officers, directors and agents.  Except as otherwise provided in this Section 16(b), the Company shall have no further obligation to Executive hereunder.  Any amount payable to Executive pursuant to this Section 16(b) upon termination of his employment hereunder shall be paid within ten (10) days, after the Termination Date.

17.            Other Consequences of Termination .  Upon the termination of Executive’s employment (for whatever reason and howsoever arising) Executive shall, without waiving any rights he may have pursuant to the terms hereof or otherwise:

(i)           at the request of the Board immediately resign without claim for compensation from any office, if any, held by him in the Company and any Affiliate (but without prejudice to any claim for damages for breach of this Agreement or for any compensation which otherwise may be payable pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise) and in the event of his failure to do so the Company is hereby irrevocably authorized to appoint some person in his name and on his behalf to sign and deliver such resignation(s) to the Board; and
 
(ii)            immediately repay all outstanding debts or loans due to the Company or any Affiliate, and the Company is hereby authorized to deduct from any payments due to Executive a sum in repayment of all or any part of any such debts or loans.

18.            Non-Competition; Solicitation .

(a)            Executive agrees that during his employment with the Company and for a period of two years after Executive leaves the Company’s employ for any reason (or two years after the
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end of the Expanded  Period in the event Executive resigns without the occurrence of a Company breach), he shall not, without the written consent of the Company, directly or indirectly, either individually or as an Executive, agent, partner, shareholder, consultant, option holder, lender of money, guarantor or in any other capacity, participate in, engage in or have a financial interest or management position or other interest in any business, firm, corporation or other entity if it competes directly with any business operation conducted by the Company or its Affiliates or any successor or assign thereof at the time Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated.

(b)            In addition to the limitations contained in (a) above, during such two year restricted period, Executive will not engage in any form of commercial enterprise with any of the Company’s suppliers or vendors without written consent , other than the retail purchase of food as a normal consumer.

(c)            Executive will not at any time during his employment with the Company and for a period of two years after Executive leaves the Company’s employ for any reason, solicit (or assist or encourage the solicitation of) any employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates to work for Executive or for any business, firm, corporation or other entity in which Executive, directly or indirectly, in any capacity described in Section 18(a) hereof, participates or engages (or expects to participate or engage) or has (or expects to have) a financial interest or management position.

(d)            If any of the covenants contained in this Section 18 or any part thereof, is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable because of the duration of such provision, the activity limited by or the subject of such provision and/or the area covered thereby, then the court making such determination shall construe such restriction so as to thereafter be limited or reduced to be enforceable to the greatest extent permissible by applicable law.

(e)            If Executive is terminated without Cause (including resignation pursuant to Section 15) the provisions of this Section 18 shall be null and void.

(f)            For purposes of this Section 16, (i) the term “Company” shall mean the Company and any Affiliates (ii) any act which Executive is prohibited from engaging in pursuant to this Section 18, he is also prohibited from soliciting, hiring, encouraging or retaining any other person to engage in any such activity; and (iii) participation by Executive in the operation of any business other than in connection with the operation of a business which is in competition with the Company or any of its Affiliates or any successor or assign thereof shall not be deemed to be a breach of this Section 18 and the foregoing provisions of this Section 18 shall not prohibit the ownership by Executive (as the result of open market purchase) of 1% or less of any class of capital stock of a corporation which is regularly traded on a national securities exchange, on the NASDAQ System or on an over-the-counter system.

19.            Non-Disparagement .  During the Term of Employment and following Executive’s termination of employment, Executive agrees not to make any disparaging statements, remarks or comments with respect to the Company, the Board and the executive officers of the Company, whether written or oral and the Company shall not make, or allow to be made on its behalf, any disparaging statements, remarks or comments about Executive and agrees to instruct its officer,
9

directors and employees not to make statements, remarks or comments. This Section shall survive any resignation of Executive or any termination of this Agreement.

20.            Equitable Remedies .  Executive acknowledges that he has been employed for his unique talents and that his leaving the employ of the Company during the Term of Employment of this Agreement would seriously hamper the business of the Company and that the Company will suffer irreparable damage if any provision of Sections 11, 12 or 18 hereof are not performed strictly in accordance with their terms or are otherwise breached.  Executive hereby expressly agrees that the Company shall be entitled as a matter of right to injunctive or other equitable relief, in addition to all other remedies permitted by law, to prevent a breach or violation by Executive and to secure enforcement of the provisions of Sections 11, 12 or 18 hereof.  Similarly, Executive stands to be significantly harmed if Section 19 is breached by the Company and the Company hereby expressly agrees that Executive shall be entitled as a matter of right to injunctive or other equitable relief, in addition to all other remedies permitted by law, to prevent a breach or violation by the Company and to secure enforcement of the provisions of Section 19 hereof.  For purposes of the preceding sentence, the Company shall be responsible for the statements of its officers, directors and employees and any disparaging statement by such person shall be deemed a breach by the Company and Executive’s rights hereunder, including to injunctive or other equitable relief, shall be triggered. Resort to such equitable relief, however, shall not constitute a waiver of any other rights or remedies that a party may have .

21.            Limitation of Authority .  Except as expressly provided herein, no provision hereof shall be deemed to authorize or empower either party hereto to act on behalf of, obligate or bind the other party hereto.

22.            Notices .  All notices which are required by or may be given pursuant to the terms of this Agreement must be in writing and must be delivered personally, sent for next-day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or by facsimile or email (with written confirmation of transmission) provided, that, notice is also sent via first class, postage prepaid, mail, or sent for next-day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service) as follows:

to the Company:
28411 Race Track Road
Bonita Springs, FL 34135
Attn:      CEO
Fax:        866-343-6491

with a copy to:                        Feder Kaszovitz LLP
845 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Attn:      Howard I. Rhine, Esq.
Fax:        (212) 888-7776

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to Executive:
To Executive’s home address set forth on the records of the Company.

Any of the addresses set forth above may be changed from time to time by written notice from the party requesting the change.  Such notices and other communications will be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as being effective immediately if delivered personally or by email or facsimile (with written confirmation of transmission), or five days after mailing by certified mail, return receipt requested, first class postage prepaid, or one day after deposit for next business day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service.

23.            Amendment .  Except as otherwise provided herein, no amendment of this Agreement shall be valid or effective, unless in writing and signed by or on behalf of the parties hereto.

24.            Waiver .  No course of dealing or omission or delay on the part of either party hereto in asserting or exercising any right hereunder shall constitute or operate as a waiver of any such right.  No waiver of any provision hereof shall be effective, unless in writing and signed by or on behalf of the party to be charged therewith.  No waiver shall be deemed a continuing waiver or waiver in respect of any other or subsequent breach or default, unless expressly so stated in writing.

25.            Governing Law .  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND INTERPRETED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICT OF LAWS.

26.            Arbitration .  Other than as provided in Sections 20 and 27 all controversies, claims or disputes arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be solely and exclusively settled by arbitration in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules then in effect (the "Arbitration Rules") of the American Arbitration Association (the “AAA”).  The arbitration shall take place in the New York (or if the AAA does not have an office in the New York then the arbitration shall be held in the city closest to New York in which the AAA has an office to conduct hearings), and the arbitrator shall be appointed by the mutual consent of the parties.  If the parties are unable to agree upon the appointment of an arbitrator, then the arbitration shall take place in said AAA office before a panel of three arbitrators selected in accordance with the Arbitration Rules. The non-prevailing party of the arbitration (as determined by the arbitrator(s)) shall be responsible for all of the arbitration fees incurred by the prevailing side as well as the reasonable legal fees of such prevailing party, as the arbitrator(s) shall determine.

27.            Mediation .  Prior to seeking arbitration, the parties shall use good faith efforts to resolve any disputes as follows:  Any party hereto asserting any claim or objection to the action by the other party hereto or otherwise seeking to enforce any right hereunder (the "claimant") shall give written notice of such claim to such other party hereto setting forth therein in reasonable detail the factual basis for such claim, the provisions of this Agreement relating thereto and the amount of monetary damages or other relief sought from the other party hereto (the "respondent"). The respondent shall, within five (5) business days of the giving of such notice, respond to such claim
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by written notice accepting or denying such claim in whole or in part, setting forth therein in reasonable detail the basis for such response. If the claimant and respondent are unable to resolve such claim in full within ten (10) business days after the giving of such responsive notice, the parties shall submit the dispute to nonbinding mediation through the services of a mutually agreed upon (which agreement shall not be unreasonably withheld) neutral third party if they cannot agree on a mediator each side shall pick a mediator and the two mediators shall pick a third mediator who will be the mediator for the case.  If the parties are still unable to resolve their differences after mediation, they shall proceed to arbitration as described in Section 26.  The parties may disclose the suggestion of the mediator to the arbitrator.  It is the intent of the parties that this mediation process shall provide a quick and inexpensive way to resolve any differences.  Accordingly, the mediator shall be instructed to expedite the process and minimize expenses by, among other things, restricting discovery and witnesses.  The parties shall split the cost of the mediator.

28.            Severability .  The provisions hereof are severable and in the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions hereof shall not be affected, but shall, subject to the discretion of such court, remain in full force and effect, and any invalid or unenforceable provision shall be deemed, without further action on the part of the parties hereto, amended and limited to the extent necessary to render the same valid and enforceable.

29.            Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

30.            Further Assurances .  Each party hereto shall promptly execute, deliver, file or record such agreements, instruments, certificates and other documents and perform such other and further acts as any other party hereto may reasonably request or as may otherwise be reasonably necessary or proper, to carry out the provisions of this Agreement.

31.            Binding Effect .  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.  This Agreement is not intended, and shall not be deemed, to create or confer any right or interest for the benefit of any person or entity not a party hereto.  This Agreement shall not have any validity prior to the Effective Date.

32.            Titles Captions and Other Agreements .  The titles and captions of the Articles and Sections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and do not in any way define or interpret the intent of the parties or modify or otherwise affect any of the provisions hereof.

33.            Company Right of First Refusal; Share Registration Rights; The Company will file a registration statement on Form S-8 if requested by Executive.  Promptly upon Executive’s request, the Company shall cause its counsel to issue a 144-opinion letter, when lawfully permitted, and will assist Executive, at no charge, to help Executive place his shares into a brokerage account. In addition, Executive acknowledges that the Company has a right of first refusal with respect to
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certain shares Executive may desire to sell into the open market or in a private transaction, pursuant to the terms of the Company’s Right of First Refusal Policy for executives of the Company.

34.            Current Employment Agreement . The terms of this Agreement shall apply to the Executive’s Current Employment Agreement, with the exception of Base Salary, and any conflict between the two Agreements and any other conflict between any other agreements between the Company and the Executive, shall be resolved in favor of Executive. Any shares or share related compensation which have not yet vested or any bonuses which have not yet been earned will not be affected to the detriment of the Executive by this Agreement.  Any bonuses in the Current Agreement associated with Food Hatch and Company Spinoffs shall be in effect and be considered a bonus under Section 3(b) of  this Agreement.

35.            Remedies .  In the event of any actual or prospective breach or default under this Agreement by either party hereto, the other party shall be entitled to equitable relief, including remedies in the nature of rescission, injunction and specific performance.  All remedies hereunder are cumulative and not exclusive, and nothing herein shall be deemed to prohibit or limit either party from pursuing any other remedy or relief available at law or in equity for such actual or prospective breach or default, including the recovery of damages.

36.            Assignment .  This Agreement, and each right, interest and obligation hereunder, may not be assigned by either party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party hereto, and any purported assignment without such consent shall be void and without effect, except that this Agreement shall be assigned to, and assumed by, any person or entity with or into which the Company merges or consolidates, or which acquires all or substantially all of its assets, or which otherwise succeeds to and continues the Company’s business substantially as an entirety.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or required by law, Executive shall not have any power of anticipation, assignment or alienation of any payments required to be made to him hereunder, and no other person or entity may acquire any right or interest in any thereof by reason of any purported sale, assignment or other disposition thereof, whether voluntary or involuntary, any claim in a bankruptcy or other insolvency proceeding against Executive, or any other ruling, judgment, order, writ or decree.

37.            Grammatical Conventions .  Whenever the context so requires, each pronoun or verb used herein shall be construed in the singular or the plural sense and each capitalized term defined herein and each pronoun used herein shall be construed in the masculine, feminine or neuter sense.

38.            References .  The terms “herein,” “hereto,” “hereof,” “hereby,” and “hereunder,” and other terms of similar import, refer to this Agreement as a whole, and not to any Section or other part hereof.

39.            No Presumptions .  Each party hereto acknowledges that it has had an opportunity to consult with counsel and has participated in the preparation of this Agreement.  No party hereto is entitled to any presumption with respect to the interpretation of any provision hereof or the resolution of any alleged ambiguity herein based on any claim that the other party hereto drafted or controlled the drafting of this Agreement.

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40.            Entire Agreement .  This Agreement embodies the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior or contemporaneous, written or oral, agreements, commitments or arrangements relating thereto.



(Signature Page Follows)
 
 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

EMPLOYER:

INNOVATIVE FOOD HOLDINGS, INC.

 
By:            ________________________________
Name:   Sam Klepfish
Title: CEO

 

EXECUTIVE:
 

______________________________________
Justin Wiernasz












[Signature Page – Employment Agreement]
15
EXHIBIT A

PERCENTAGE INCREASE ON BASE SALARY

The increase in Base Salary for 2018 and 2019 shall be determined by the Innovative Food Holdings Executive Compensation Committee.




 






16
EXHIBIT B

BONUS TERMS

Bonuses for 2018 and 2019 shall be determined by the Innovative Food Holdings Executive Compensation Committee.
 
 
 
 
 

17
 
EXHIBIT 21
 
INNOVATIVE FOOD HOLDINGS, INC.
 
SCHEDULE OF SUBSIDIARIES

 
Food Innovations, Inc. 
Florida Corporation
Food New Media Group, Inc.
Florida Corporation
4 The Gourmet, Inc. (d/b/a/ For The Gourmet, Inc.)
Florida Corporation
Gourmet Foodservice Group, Inc. 
Florida Corporation
Artisan Specialty Foods, Inc.
Florida Corporation
The Haley Group, Inc.  
Florida Corporation
Gourmet Foodservice Warehouse, Inc.
Florida Corporation
Organic Food Brokers, LLC  
Colorado LLC
Gourmeting Inc.
Delaware Corporation
 
Oasis Sales Corp.
Florida Corporation
 
 


 
EXHIBIT 31.1                                           
 
Certifications

I, Sam Klepfish, certify that:
 
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Innovative Food Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries;
 
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) for the registrant and have:
 
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; 

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
Date: March 30, 2017
 
/s/ Sam Klepfish                                  
Sam Klepfish, Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 

EXHIBIT 31.2
 
Certifications

I, John McDonald, certify that:
 
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Innovative Food Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries;
 
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) for the registrant and have:
 
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; 

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
Date: March 30, 2017
 
/s/ John McDonald                                               
John McDonald, Principle Accounting Officer
 
 
 
 

 
EXHIBIT 32.1
 
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES OXLEY ACT OF 2002
CERTIFICATION
 
In connection with the Annual Report of Innovative Food Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the "Company") on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Sam Klepfish, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge:
 
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
 
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.
 
 
/s/ Sam Klepfish                                      
Sam Klepfish
Chief Executive Officer and Director
 
March 30, 2017
 
 
 

 
EXHIBIT 32.2
 
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES OXLEY ACT OF 2002
CERTIFICATION
 
In connection with the Annual Report of Innovative Food Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the "Company") on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, John McDonald, Principal Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge:
 
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
 
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.
 
 
/s/ John McDonald              
John McDonald
Principal Accounting Officer
 
March 30, 2017