Land O’Lakes, Inc. has acquired Vermont Creamery, a Websterville, Vt.-based producer of fresh and aged goat cheese, crème fraiche and cultured butter. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
“We purchased Vermont Creamery and welcome them to the Land O’Lakes family because we love their brand and would like to help bring it to even more people,” said Chris Policinski, president and chief executive officer of Land O’Lakes. “We share a value-added, branded approach to marketing our products, a meaningful respect for our customers and deeply rooted rural values.”
Founded in 1984 by Bob Reese and Allison Hooper, Vermont Creamery combines the European tradition of cheese making with Vermont’s terroir. The company supports a network of more than 20 family farms and was B Corp Certified in 2014.
Mr. Reese and Ms. Hooper will serve as advisers and brand ambassadors for Vermont Creamery, which will become an independently operated subsidiary of Land O’Lakes. The Hooper family will retain ownership of the Vermont Creamery farm in Websterville, which will continue to serve as a key supplier to the company.
“We have always taken seriously our commitment to our farmers, employees and Vermont’s working landscape — these values are at the core of our decision to sell the business,” Ms. Hooper said. “As we experience unprecedented growth, we need a partner who can bring the resources and expertise necessary to help us realize our vision and the potential of our business.”
Mr. Reese added, “After years of thoughtful planning and a rigorous selection process, we are confident that we have found the best steward of our business, values and people in Land O’Lakes. We are both respected dairy brands with deep connections to farmers and an unyielding commitment to quality and innovation. We look forward to this opportunity to tell our story more broadly and increase access to our high-quality dairy products.”
By Rebekah Schouten
Source: Food Business News
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