The Hain Celestial Group, Inc., a leading organic and natural products company with operations in North America, Europe and India, today announced the purchase of The Better Bean Company.
Better Bean, based in Portland, Oregon, was founded in 2010 by the father and daughter team of Keith and Hannah Kullberg, to make eating beans easy, tasty and healthy. Better Bean will augment Hain Celestial’s offerings in the perimeter of the store, a coveted area. Better Bean is the the first acquisition by the Hain Celestial Cultivate Ventures strategic platform.
Better Bean offers consumers “The First Innovation in Beans Since the Can!,” prepared beans and bean-based dips sold in chilled deli tubs. With eight plant-based varieties, Better Bean products contain at least five grams of fiber and six grams of protein per serving. They are also Non-GMO Project Verified, Certified Vegan and gluten-free. Additionally, Better Bean is a Certified B Corporation, whose mission and values are very much in line with those of Hain Celestial.
“Better Bean is well-suited for the Cultivate Ventures portfolio given our focus on the perimeter of the store with our BluePrint® functional beverages, Yves Veggie Cuisine® vegetarian offerings and Health Valley® refrigerated soup products. Better Bean products are aligned with consumer demand for nutritious food, plant-based protein, fiber, clean labels and convenience,” said Beena Goldenberg, Chief Executive Officer of Cultivate Ventures and Hain Celestial Canada.
“We expect to catapult Better Bean’s growth by leveraging Hain Celestial’s strength in sales, distribution, marketing and brand building, which should allow more consumers to experience Better Beans,” said Keith Kullberg, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Better Bean. “Hain Celestial’s decades’ long commitment to making healthier, better-for-you food more accessible complements Better Beans’ mission to bring the world clean, tasty and convenient beans.”
Cultivate Ventures is dedicated to investing in smaller portfolio brands, lifestyle brands and concepts, and incubator opportunities in high growth categories.
Source: The Hain Celestial Group, Inc.
General Mills has sold its US yogurt business to French dairy giant Lactalis, officially exiting the US yogurt market. The move marks a strategic pivot for the US food giant, which aims to sharpen its focus on higher-growth categories like snacks, pet food, and ice cream.
The US-based food producer entered into a restructuring support agreement with a group of lenders who hold a portion of its term loan debt. The agreement outlines a plan to run a “going-concern” sale, allowing the company to continue operations during the process.
Roelofs joined Refresco in 2007 and oversaw major expansion. The company now operates 75 manufacturing sites in 13 countries and employs over 14,000 people. During his tenure, Refresco grew from a regional player to a global leader in beverage solutions.