Back to Nature, Snackwell's, B&G Foods
Through the acquisition, B&G Foods will add the Back to Nature and Snackwell’s brands to its portfolio.
 

PARSIPPANY, N.J. – B&G Foods, Inc. has added another snack manufacturer to its portfolio. The company entered into an agreement on Aug. 20 with the private equity firm Brynwood Partners VI L.P. and Mondelez International to acquire Back to Nature Foods Co. for approximately $162.5 million.

Back to Nature Foods Co. is a joint venture between Brynwood and Mondelez, and features the Back to Nature and Snackwell’s brands. Products manufactured under the brands include cookies, cakes, pretzels, popcorn, nuts and trail mix, granola, cereals, soups and juices. Many of the products sold under the Back to Nature brand are Non-GMO Project verified or certified organic.

Robert Cantwell, B&G Foods
Robert Cantwell, president and c.e.o. of B&G Foods

“We are very pleased to add Back to Nature to the B&G Foods family of brands,” said Robert C. Cantwell, president and chief executive officer of B&G Foods. “Consistent with our acquisition strategy and our recent Green Giant, spices and seasonings and Victoria acquisitions, we are continuing to diversify our portfolio of brands and invest in brands and products that we believe are most relevant to today’s consumer.”

Brynwood VI and Mondel?z International formed the Back to Nature joint venture in 2012, withBrynwood VI acquiring operating control while Mondelez International retained a minority position in the company.  In 2013, Mondelez International contributed the SnackWell's brand to the joint venture. 

Hendrik Hartong, Brynwood Partners
Hendrik Hartong III, chairman and c.e.o. of Brynwood Partners
"We are delighted to announce the sale of Back to Nature to B&G Foods, a leading publicly traded packaged foods company," said Hendrik Hartong III, chairman and c.e.o. of Brynwood Partners.  "We are very pleased with the outcome of this transaction as we achieved a terrific result for both Brynwood VI and Mondelez International.  We were able to restore, invigorate and grow the outstanding Back to Nature and SnackWell's brands and create a strong standalone company that attracted a prominent strategic buyer in B&G Foods.  The unique joint venture with Mondelez International showcased Brynwood Partners' investment and operational strengths in consumer corporate carve outs.”