OMAHA, Neb. – ConAgra Foods Inc. has acquired Blake’s All Natural Foods, a family-owned company that makes natural and organic frozen meals, including pot pies, casseroles, pasta dishes and other entrees, in a non-disclosed all-cash deal.
Blake’s is one of the fastest-growing natural and organic frozen food brands, according to ConAgra. According to IRI data, the natural and organic frozen single-serve meals category grew by more than 33 percent between 2011 and 2015.
“Blake’s is a great addition to our existing frozen meals business and provides more choices to a growing group of people buying natural and organic foods,” said Sean Connolly, ConAgra Foods’ CEO.
ConAgra Foods has a broad portfolio of brands in the frozen foods aisle, including Alexia, Healthy Choice, Marie Callender’s, Banquet, Kid Cuisine, Bertolli, Odom’s Tennessee Pride and P.F. Chang’s. ConAgra plans to grow the Blake’s business across the country.
“Blake’s is really excited to join the ConAgra Foods team as it will allow us to build on the momentum we’ve created over several years and continue to meet the growing demand for our meals,” said Chris Licata, president and CEO of Blake’s All Natural Foods. “Natural and organic food has clearly earned a place in American households, and we will continue to make the same meals that the Blake family has made for people over four generations.”
Blake’s All Natural Foods has 60 employees based in Concord, NH. Licata will continue to lead the Blake’s business from its headquarters there.
ConAgra said the transaction has no impact on its previously communicated debt reduction commitments for fiscal 2015.
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