DENVER – Tender Belly LLC recently announced that it received an investment from Encore Consumer Capital, a private equity firm that invests in consumer products companies.

With this backing, Tender Belly will also add two new board members. Jim Skidmore joins the board after leading acquisitions and integration of multiple brands to create Coleman Natural Foods. Jeff Swain was the former CEO of Coleman Natural Foods and later Niman Ranch before its sale to Perdue Farms.

“We started Tender Belly to do things the right way, not the easy way, and we’re excited to partner with Encore to continue along that path,” said Shannon Duffy, Tender Belly founder and CEO. “With Encore’s support, resources, and industry expertise, we’ll be able to continue to grow Tender Belly into the leading brand of bacon and pork, while making sure everyone has access to our products.”

Tender Belly’s Signature dry-cured bacon is cherrywood-smoked and comes from bellies of Heritage Breed hogs. The animals are fed 100 percent vegetarian diets, are antibiotic-free and raised in a crate-free environment which creates exquisite intramuscular marbling.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with Shannon and Erik to grow Tender Belly,” said Robert Brown, managing director at Encore Consumer Capital.  “We have great confidence that the entire team will grow Tender Belly to become the leading premium bacon offering in grocery stores and restaurants across the country.”