# Jason Ackerman

> Jason Ackerman co-founded FreshDirect in 1999 and served as its CEO from May 2011 until September 2018. A former investment banker focused on supermarket and specialty retail transactions, he later led TerrAscend and co-founded Joyleaf, a recreational cannabis retailer in Roselle, New Jersey. His career links retail finance, food sourcing, delivery operations and staff development.

- **Role:** Co-founder at Joyleaf
- **Organizations:** FreshDirect, FoodKick, Joyleaf, TerrAscend, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, Drexel Burnham Lambert
- **Education:** Undergraduate degree in economics and business management, Boston University
- **Known for:** Co-founded an online grocery business that began delivering in 2002 and continued operating beyond his 2018 departure., Led FreshDirect during the launch of FoodKick and its September 2016 $189 million financing., Co-founded Joyleaf; the company announced a Best Dispensary Overall in New Jersey award at the 2025 NECANN Cup.

## Career timeline

- **circa 1990** — Worked in investment banking at Drexel Burnham Lambert and subsequently Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, including supermarket transactions.
- **1999** — Co-founded FreshDirect.
- **2002** — FreshDirect launched its online grocery service in New York.
- **2011** — Appointed FreshDirect CEO on May 16, having served as founder and CFO.
- **2012** — FreshDirect entered Philadelphia and later faced disruption from Hurricane Sandy.
- **2016** — FreshDirect launched FoodKick and closed a $189 million investment round.
- **2018** — Resigned as FreshDirect chairman and CEO in September; David McInerney succeeded him.
- **2019** — Appointed TerrAscend executive chairman in November.
- **2020** — Appointed TerrAscend interim CEO in January and CEO in April.
- **2021** — Left TerrAscend CEO and executive chairman roles on March 23.
- **2023** — Co-founded Joyleaf, which opened in Roselle in December.

## Achievements

- Co-founded an online grocery business that began delivering in 2002 and continued operating beyond his 2018 departure.
- Led FreshDirect during the launch of FoodKick and its September 2016 $189 million financing.
- Co-founded Joyleaf; the company announced a Best Dispensary Overall in New Jersey award at the 2025 NECANN Cup.

## Latest updates

- **2025-09** — Joyleaf announced its 2025 NECANN Cup award; Ackerman commented on his family’s longstanding connection to Roselle.
- **2025-11** — Apple Podcasts lists a November 14 publication of a From Scratch interview about FreshDirect’s origins. This listing does not establish when the interview was recorded.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-ackerman-559b817

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/jason-ackerman
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-14