Frozen chicken entrees and specialties processor Barber Foods, Portland, Maine, said it will lay off 82 workers in conjunction with a move to increase efficiency and capacity at its St. John Street plant in Portland.
San Francisco-based private equity investor Encore Consumer Capital said it completed the $87 million sale of its portfolio company, Aidells Sausage Company, Inc. to Sara Lee Corporation.
William Blair & Company, Chicago, said it acted as exclusive financial advisor to Wenner Bread Products, Inc. in a recapitalization deal involving members of the bakery's founding family.
Supermarket food, packaging and supplies distributor Lipari Foods, Warren, Mich., said it purchased Eastside Deli, a Lansing, Mich. processor and supplier of ready-to-eat sandwiches.
Perdue Farms Inc., Salisbury, Md., said it launched of a series of documentary-style TV spots to unveil its first national campaign, "We Believe in a Better Chicken."
Foodservice market researcher Technomic said it conducted the industry's first look at the prepared food commissaries serving in-store supermarket delis and convenience stores.
Fresh and frozen poultry processor Cagle's, Inc., Atlanta, said it will discontinue second shift operations at its Pine Mountain Valley, Ga., poultry plant in mid August.
Frozen and canned organic products leader Amy's Kitchen, Santa Rosa, Calif., plans by January 2012, to renovate and operate a former Sara Lee bakery in Greenville, S.C.