Lactalis Group has entered into a definitive agreement for the acquisition by its U.S. affiliate of Kraft Heinz’s Natural, Grated, Cultured and Specialty cheese businesses in the U.S., Grated cheese business in Canada and entire International Cheese business outside North America. With this acquisition, Lactalis will acquire a portfolio of iconic, strongly-positioned brands that include Cracker Barrel, Breakstone’s, Knudsen, Polly-O, Athenos, Hoffman’s and, outside the U.S. and Canada only, Cheez Whiz. In addition, Kraft Heinz will partner with Lactalis on a perpetual license for Kraft in Natural, Grated and International cheeses and Velveeta in Natural and International cheeses.

Litehouse announced that it has acquired Veggiecraft Farms. Known for bringing plant-based pasta to the masses, Veggiecraft Farms specializes in providing vegetable-based versions of beloved foods, without sacrificing taste or texture. Veggiecraft’s plant-based pastas are crafted in Italy using cauliflower flour, lentil flour, and pea flour.

Hitchcock Farms of Salinas, California, a premier and innovative grower/shipper has acquired Pfyffer Associates, a grower, packer and shipper of premium Brussels sprouts in Santa Cruz, California. Pfyffer has been a leading supplier of Brussels sprouts for over 45 years with their well-known Ernie’s Pride and Pfyffer labels.

Lineage Logistics, (“Lineage” or the “Company”), has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Ontario Refrigerated Services, Inc. (“ORS”), a leading family-operated cold storage company offering temperature-controlled space in the Greater Toronto market, marking Lineage’s entrance into the Canadian market. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Dutch cheesemaker Vandersterre has recently partnered with Willicroft, a plant-based cheese company located in the Netherlands. Partnering with Willicroft will allow Vandersterre to explore the plant-based cheese market and the opportunities that come with it.

RLS Logistics, a third-generation cold chain solutions provider in the U.S., recently created a joint venture that will offer customers the ability to work with regional family-run cold storage providers on a national basis. The cornerstone of the plan is to partner with existing best-in-class operators in ten to twelve mega-regions of the U.S., as well as Eastern and Western Canada. 

HumanCo, a company focused on healthier living and sustainability, announced today the acquisition of a majority stake in organic, plant-based ice cream company Coconut Bliss. The companies will work together with the goal of growing the Oregon-based ice cream producer into a globally recognized brand.

Anchor Packaging LLC, an innovation leader in rigid food packaging, announced today the acquisition of Panoramic Inc., located in Janesville, Wisconsin. Panoramic Inc is a leading manufacturer of thermoformed products used in fresh food applications, including bakery, produce, and confectionery. 

Brynwood Partners announced its newly-formed portfolio company, Buitoni Food Company, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the North American Buitoni business from Nestlé USA, Inc. The transaction, which includes a 240,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Danville, Virginia, is expected to close within the next 30 days, subject to customary U.S. regulatory review. Terms and conditions of the deal are not being disclosed.

Lineage Logistics (Lineage), the world’s largest provider of temperature-controlled logistics solutions, announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Henningsen Cold Storage Co. (Henningsen). Lineage was founded by and continues to be managed by Bay Grove. The strategic acquisition adds to the company’s expansive U.S. facility network and bolsters its presence in the Pacific Northwest, with the addition of 14 facilities across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Pennsylvania, North Dakota and Oklahoma. Financial terms of the transactions were not disclosed.