USA: Urban Farmer acquires Caulipower

Urban Farmer, a private-equity-backed producer of plant-based bakery products, has announced the acquisition of Caulipower, the US frozen-food business specialising in cauliflower-based products.

Urban Farmer is a portfolio company of Paine Schwartz Partners and a producer of plant-based speciality dough, frozen pizzas, crusts, and bakery products, operating manufacturing facilities in Manteno (IL).

Commenting on the move, Urban Farmer CEO Chris Jaromin said: “CAULIPOWER’s commitment to making better-for-you foods accessible and delicious aligns perfectly with Urban Farmer’s mission to combine culinary innovation with quality manufacturing. Together, we’ll expand our ability to bring nutritious, craveable foods to more tables across the country”.

Caulipower founder Gail Becker said: “When I founded CAULIPOWER in 2016, I searched for a co-manufacturer to bring my idea of a frozen cauliflower crust pizza to life. Most turned me down, but one said yes – and that was Urban Farmer. How fitting that years after CAULIPOWER disrupted the $6 billion-dollar frozen pizza category, our two companies are joining forces again in such a meaningful way”.

Caulipower CEO Tyler Ricks added: “Combining CAULIPOWER’s groundbreaking brand and Urban Farmer’s integrated manufacturing platform creates a powerful engine for innovation and growth. We believe this combination establishes a clear category leader in better-for-you frozen dough and underscores our long-term conviction in the health and wellness segment of the industry”.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Source: Paine Schwartz Partners / Urban Farmer