Dole buys natural snack company
Dole Food Co. has bought Mrs. May’s Naturals, a family-run company that makes natural snacks such as fruit-and-nut bars and freeze-dried fruit.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Westlake Village-based Dole said Mrs. May’s had 2011 revenues of about $16 million.
Mrs. Mays was founded in 2002 by brothers Augustine and Michael Kim, according to the company’s website. Its products are carried in Costco, Albertons, Vons and Whole Foods stores, among others.
“Mrs. May’s Naturals is a recognized name with proven results at major retailers,” Dole CEO and President David DeLorenzo said in anews release. “Their all-natural snacks, which include vegan, gluten-free, and kosher options, fit perfectly with the Dole ’Nutrition Plus‘ product line which is designed to improve health and wellness through diet.”
Mrs. May’s products will continue to be packaged under that brand name and will still be carried in existing retailers, Dole said. The company will become part of Dole’s packaged foods division. The Westlake Village-based company said it “sees the retention of the independent brand label as an opportunity to grow the brand and will also be looking at co-branding opportunities and new product development.”
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