ConAgra Foods, Inc. has acquired Blake’s All Natural Foods, a rapidly-growing, family-owned company which makes natural and organic frozen meals, including pot pies, casseroles, pasta dishes, lobster macaroni & cheese, and other entrees.
Terms of the all-cash deal were not disclosed, and the transaction will have no impact to the buyer’s previously communicated debt reduction commitments for fiscal 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, chief executive officer of Omaha, Nebraska, USA-headquartered ConAgra Foods.
ConAgra has a broad portfolio of retail 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.
“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 chief executive officer 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 approximately 60 employees based in Concord, New Hampshire. Licata will continue to lead the Blake’s business from its headquarters in Concord.
Blake’s is one of the fastest growing natural and organic frozen food brands. According to IRI data, sales in the natural and organic frozen single-serve meals category have grown by more than 33% over the past four years.
