May 30, 2025

Please see below for a listing of what the North Point Food & Beverage Team has been tracking this week. We hope that you find the content insightful and a nice way to summarize the most noteworthy Food & Beverage events of the week.

Have a nice weekend!

Glen Clarke

Head of Food & Beverage

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Pitman Family Farms acquires Cooks Venture.

• California-based Pitman Family Farms has acquired Cooks Venture, a chicken grower and processor with operations in Arkansas and Oklahoma, according to buyerside adviser North Inlet.

Source: Mergermarket

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Violet Foods acquires Don Pepino, Sclafani brands from B&G Foods.

• B&G Foods, Inc, announced today that it has sold its Don Pepino and Sclafani brands of pizza and spaghetti sauces, crushed tomatoes, tomato puree and whole peeled tomatoes to Violet Foods LLC, a newly formed portfolio company of Amphora Equity Partners LLC.

Source: Mergermarket

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Stampede Culinary Partners sale process in second round.

• Stampede Culinary Partners has reached advanced stages in the second round of its sale process, four sources familiar with the situation said.

Source: Mergermarket

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8th Avenue Foods nearing deal to handle maturities.

• 8th Avenue Foods & Provisions is advancing on an M&A deal ahead of upcoming debt maturities, said two sources familiar with the matter.

Source: Mergermarket

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LT Foods unit acquires remaining 49% stake in Golden Star Trading for USD 15m.

• Pursuant to Regulation 30 of the Securities and Exchange Board of Regulations, we wish to inform you that LT Foods Americas Inc, of LT FOODS LIMITED, has acquired the remaining 49% equity shares of Golden Star Trading, Inc., based in California.

Source: Mergermarket

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Klosterman Baking sale process moves into second round.

• The sale process for Klosterman Baking Company, a sponsor-backed baked goods manufacturer, has moved into the second round, according to three sources familiar with the situation.

Source: Mergermarket

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Nuovo Pasta in early stages of sale process with Keybanc.

• Nuovo Pasta, a family-owned pasta manufacturer, is in the early stages of a sale process with Keybanc advising, according to three sources familiar with the situation.

Source: Mergermarket

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Brynwood-backed Great Kitchens explores sale.

• Great Kitchens, a manufacturer of private-label take-and-bake pizzas, is exploring a sale, according to three sources familiar with the situation.

Source: Mergermarket

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Trump tariffs back in effect after appeals court pauses ruling.

• A federal appeals court paused a lower court ruling that had struck down Trump-era tariffs, allowing them to remain in place while further judicial review is pending.
• The injunction originally targeted broad tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, raising legal questions about presidential authority; tariffs under Section 232 and 301 remain unaffected.
• Food companies are concerned the reinstated tariffs will further raise costs on ingredients like cocoa and coffee amid inflationary pressure.

Source: Food Dive

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Trump’s tariffs in limbo after trade courts cite presidential overreach.

• A federal trade court ruled that Trump's sweeping tariffs exceeded presidential authority under the IEEPA, blocking recent duties on Canada, Mexico, China, and global trade partners, but the ruling was immediately stayed by a federal appeals court.
• The court found that tariffs imposed to address trade deficits and drug trafficking did not meet the legal criteria for national emergency powers and ordered their cancellation and refund, prompting a DOJ appeal and possible Supreme Court intervention.
• Sector-specific tariffs on steel, aluminum, autos, and parts remain unaffected, while the administration considers additional levies under Section 232 and Section 301, potentially targeting semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and lumber.

Source: Meat + Poultry

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MAHA report puts target on ultraprocessed foods.

• The Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” report links ultraprocessed foods and environmental chemicals to rising chronic diseases and developmental issues in children, signaling potential regulatory shifts.
• The report criticizes cumulative exposure to additives like artificial sweeteners, titanium dioxide, and BHT, and suggests moving beyond traditional single-chemical safety assessments.
• HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is pushing for industry reform, prompting companies like Mars and PepsiCo to accelerate removal of controversial ingredients amid mounting regulatory and consumer pressure.

Source: Food Dive

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Hormel anticipates second-half rebound despite Q2 volume declines.

• Hormel posted Q2 FY25 earnings of $179.7M (33¢/share), down from $189.2M YoY, with flat sales at ~$2.9B and volume declines in both retail (–6.6%) and foodservice (–7.3%), though international volume rose 9%.
• CEO Jim Snee highlighted expected H2 growth driven by innovation in brands like Applegate, Jennie-O, and Herdez, plus new foodservice items like Fontanini hot honey sausage and Flash 180 chicken.
• Despite cautious optimism, Hormel slightly lowered the top end of its EPS guidance to $1.49–$1.59 (from $1.49–$1.63) and projects 2–3% organic net sales growth for the year.

Source: Meat + Poultry

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JBS to build sausage processing plant in Iowa.

• JBS USA plans to invest $135 million in a new sausage processing plant in Perry, Iowa, with construction expected to begin in late 2025 and completion slated for late 2026.
• The facility will process 500,000 hogs annually, producing 130 million lbs of sausage per year, and initially employ 250 workers with plans to double headcount upon adding a second shift.
• JBS leadership and local officials highlighted the project’s potential to boost regional economic stability, job creation, and community development in rural Iowa.

Source: Meat + Poultry

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Mondelēz sues Aldi over private label packaging that ‘blatantly copies’ Oreo and Chips Ahoy!

• Mondelēz filed a lawsuit against Aldi, alleging the retailer’s private label snack packaging closely mimics Oreo, Chips Ahoy!, and five other brands, potentially misleading consumers and damaging Mondelēz’s brand equity.
• The complaint highlights design similarities such as tilted cookies, blue backgrounds, and brand-like halos, claiming Aldi has ignored repeated warnings and engaged in a pattern of imitation.
• The case marks Mondelēz’s second recent legal move to defend its intellectual property, following another lawsuit involving unauthorized brand use by Ghost post-acquisition by Keurig Dr Pepper.

Source: Food Dive

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USDA to provide relief for livestock producers impacted by drought, wildfire.

• The USDA will begin issuing $1B in Emergency Livestock Relief Program payments by May 30 to cover 2023–2024 drought and wildfire grazing losses, using existing LFP data to automatically deliver aid.
• Payments will initially be factored at 35% due to high demand, with potential for a second round if funds remain; additional relief for flood-related losses is expected later this summer.
• The 2025 American Relief Act also includes $10B in broader agricultural assistance, with over $7.7B already distributed through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program ahead of the August 15 deadline.

Source: Meat + Poultry

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Dole picks Del Monte exec as supply chain VP.

• Dole Packaged Foods appointed former Del Monte exec Todd Stillwell as VP of supply chain and manufacturing to lead U.S. logistics, frozen manufacturing, warehousing, and transportation.
• Stillwell brings experience from Del Monte, Campbell’s, and Häagen-Dazs, with a background in managing logistics networks, direct delivery fleets, and third-party distribution.
• Dole leadership highlighted Stillwell’s strategic vision as key to modernizing operations and supporting the company’s goal of delivering high-quality products across its supply chain.

Source: Food Dive

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DOJ counters Agri Stats motion for recusal in antitrust case.

• The DOJ and six state attorneys general opposed Agri Stats’ motion to recuse Judge John Tunheim from an antitrust case, dismissing claims about a law clerk’s alleged conflicts as speculative and irrelevant.
• Agri Stats, along with major meat processors like Tyson, Smithfield, and Seaboard, had cited the clerk’s past work with plaintiff firms and courtroom conduct as grounds for recusal.
• The DOJ argued the motion was a tactical delay following an unfavorable ruling and emphasized that judges—not clerks—decide cases, with no evidence the clerk worked on the matter.

Source: Meat + Poultry

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The Chefs' Warehouse has one too many cooks in the kitchen – Flash Commentary.

• The Chefs’ Warehouse board rejected director Richard Peretz’s resignation despite him receiving just 49% shareholder support at the AGM, citing absences due to pre-election scheduling conflicts.
• Peretz, a former UPS CFO and Legion Partners nominee, joined the board via a 2024 cooperation agreement with the activist fund; ISS had advised voting against him due to poor attendance.
• While other directors faced no similar opposition, the board's decision to retain Peretz despite shareholder pushback could invite renewed activist pressure or scrutiny from other investors.

Source: Mergermarket

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General Mills to cut jobs as part of multi-year restructuring plan.

• General Mills plans to cut jobs and take $130M in restructuring charges through FY28, with $70M tied to severance hitting in Q4 FY25, as part of a global productivity initiative.
• The company lowered FY25 guidance in March due to soft U.S. snacking demand and away-from-home channels; organic net sales are now expected to decline 1.5%–2%.
• Facing volume pressure from inflation-weary consumers, General Mills joins other food companies like PepsiCo and Smucker in pursuing cost-cutting and operational consolidation.

Source: Food Dive

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JM Smucker to close Hostess plant in Indianapolis.

• J.M. Smucker will close its Hostess plant in Indianapolis by early 2026, impacting 259 employees, as part of efforts to consolidate its manufacturing footprint and streamline operations.
• The nearly 70-year-old facility, inherited through Smucker’s $5.6B acquisition of Hostess, is likely being shuttered due to high costs associated with upgrading outdated infrastructure.
• The move aligns with broader industry trends as companies like PepsiCo and Conagra pursue plant closures amid inflation-driven cost pressures and softer consumer demand.

Source: Food Dive

JUST FOR FUN

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Dolly Parton launches frozen meals | Thomas’ packs protein into bagels – Food Dive

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