M&A

Back to Nature has traded hands, with BA Brussels, LLC, a subsidiary of Barilla America, acquiring the snack brand from B&G Foods as part of a larger strategy to diversify its U.S. portfolio.

Second Nature Brands, parent company to Kar’s Nuts, Sanders Chocolates and Second Nature Snacks, is looking to ramp up its acquisition strategy over the next few years as it seeks to build a platform of better-for-you sweet and snack brands.

In this week’s roundup: Upcycled cracker brand Seconds closes up shop, Campbell’s raises FY guidance as soup sales heat up, Second Nature Brands acquires Brownie Brittle and Vital Proteins secures B Corp status.

Powered by Real Food From the Ground Up has acquired Velocity Snack Brands Opco, LLC (VSB), the owners of puffed chip company Popchips. With the acquisition, and prior launch of sister brand You Need This, the company hopes to create a better-for-you snack platform.

Senate committee members attempted to extract Kroger and Albertsons’ “side of the story” during a hearing on the $24.6 billion merger. Here are some highlights from the two and a half hour testimony.

Swiss-based Emmi Group is consolidating its Redwood Hill Farm and Jackson-Mitchell dairy producers under a new subsidiary called Darey Brands, formalizes the partnership that the two companies have had in place for the last five years.

The CEOs of Kroger and Albertsons Companies faced intense criticism from the Senate Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee during a hearing yesterday regarding their proposed merger.

The Florida-based operator of the Winn-Dixie and Harvey’s supermarkets, is reportedly exploring a sale and is in talks with prospective buyers, furthering concerns of more consolidation in the grocery channel.

Two leaders in the grass fed meat industry, Teton Waters Ranch and SunFed Ranch, are joining forces to make one of the largest platforms for pastured beef called Grass Fed Foods hoping to capitalize on regenerative agriculture’s demand and move into mainstream channels.

B&G Foods is “actively seeking” a buyer for snack brand Back to Nature, stating on this week’s third quarter earnings report that while the brand was performing well enough, the divestment is part of a larger initiative to refocus B&G’s core portfolio and reduce debt.