Helen's, Organic Bistro merge
Frozen organic food processors Helen's Kitchen, Irvine, Calif., and The Organic Bistro, Scottsdale, Ariz., said they merged to form Food Collective Inc. Helen's Founder & CEO Stephen Moore -- along with the Helen's executive team -- will run the new business and manage both ongoing brands.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Organic Bistro was a subsidiary of Callaway Consumer Products LLC. Officials said the merger is supported by the Sea Change Investment Fund, LLC, a private equity fund focused on stimulating the market for organic food, sustainable seafood and fisheries; and Preserve Capital Group.
Officials said both companies grew beyond their regional roots (Southern California in the case of Helen’s and Arizona in the case of The Organic Bistro) to become widespread brands with distribution in more than 2,000 stores in the natural and conventional retail grocery channels in both the United States and Canada.
Helen’s produces frozen, organic vegetarian entrees, burritos and meat alternatives, while Callaway established Organic Bistro for organic frozen entrees with natural quality poultry and sustainable seafood.
Said Moore, "Although both Helen’s and Organic Bistro will remain independent in terms of their product lines and brand identities, bringing them together under the corporate banner of The Food Collective seemed to us the best way to ensure they retain their shared commitment to taste, health, convenience and quality.”
“With the two brands having such complimentary missions, we believe Helen’s Foods and Organic Bistro’s partnership will develop into a very mutually beneficial relationship over the years ahead.”
Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Organic Bistro was a subsidiary of Callaway Consumer Products LLC. Officials said the merger is supported by the Sea Change Investment Fund, LLC, a private equity fund focused on stimulating the market for organic food, sustainable seafood and fisheries; and Preserve Capital Group.
Officials said both companies grew beyond their regional roots (Southern California in the case of Helen’s and Arizona in the case of The Organic Bistro) to become widespread brands with distribution in more than 2,000 stores in the natural and conventional retail grocery channels in both the United States and Canada.
Helen’s produces frozen, organic vegetarian entrees, burritos and meat alternatives, while Callaway established Organic Bistro for organic frozen entrees with natural quality poultry and sustainable seafood.
Said Moore, "Although both Helen’s and Organic Bistro will remain independent in terms of their product lines and brand identities, bringing them together under the corporate banner of The Food Collective seemed to us the best way to ensure they retain their shared commitment to taste, health, convenience and quality.”
“With the two brands having such complimentary missions, we believe Helen’s Foods and Organic Bistro’s partnership will develop into a very mutually beneficial relationship over the years ahead.”
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