Oser Communications Group

GOURMET NEWS JUNE 2014 www.gourmetnews.com Specialty Distributors & Brokers SPECIALTY DISTRIBUTORS & BROKERS 1 6 BRIEFS Arthur Schuman Becomes Exclusive U.S. Importer/Distributor of Dodoni Greek Cheeses Arthur Schuman Inc., an importer and dis- tributor of domestic hard cheeses, has part- nered with the Greek Company Dodoni SA, establishing the company as the exclusive importer and distributor of Dodoni SA Products in the United States. Dodoni is widely recognized around the world for its PDO feta cheese and other Greek dairy products. The partnership between the two dairy companies provides the U.S. market with widespread access to these authentic Greek products. "As a company that prides itself on im- porting the best cheeses and working with the strongest and most sustainable compa- nies, Dodoni SA is a natural fit for us," said Neal Schuman, President and owner of Arthur Schuman, a fourth generation fam- ily business. "We believe Dodoni, and par- ticularly its PDO feta cheese, will thrive in the U.S. market." Arthur Schuman is currently accepting requests from customers across retail, food- service and industrial markets. The prod- ucts will be available at major club stores with national reach, with additional outlets to follow. Arthur Shuman and its distribu- tion network will be targeting all channels of distribution. As a fourth-generation, family-owned business for more than sixty years, Arthur Schuman Inc. has a long history of import- ing and distributing the best cheeses in the world. From the company's humble begin- nings importing Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano, it has grown by expanding its focus on distributing a variety of great cheeses to all sectors of the market and areas of the globe. In the United States, Arthur Schuman operates its own produc- tion and processing facilities across the country, producing more than 70 million pounds of domestic cheese and processing more than 80 million pounds of cheese an- nually. For more information on Arthur Schuman, visit www.arthurschuman.com. Created in 1963 in Ioannina, Greece, Dodoni has been producing exquisite feta made from milk sourced from more than six thousand individually-owned sheep herds. By using the highest-quality milk and maintaining the traditional manufac- turing methods outlined by the PDO stan- dards, Dodoni SA has earned the reputation as a preeminent producer of PDO feta cheese. For more information on Dodoni, visit www.dodoni.eu/en/home. GN B&G Foods Announces Agreement to Acquire Specialty Brands of America B&G Foods, Inc. recently announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Specialty Brands of America, Inc. and re- lated entities from affiliates of American Capital, Ltd. and certain individuals for ap- proximately $155 million. "We are excited to have reached an agreement to acquire Specialty Brands of America," said David L. Wenner, President and Chief Executive Officer of B&G Foods. "Under the leadership of American Capital and Dom Bastien, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Specialty Brands, the company has built a solid and profitable business that continues to grow." "We look forward to welcoming Spe- cialty Brands into our family of brands. These brands complement very well our existing portfolio of brands, and we believe that B&G Foods will be able to enhance the growth prospects of these brands," Wenner continued. B&G Foods projects that following the acquisition, Specialty Brands will generate on an annualized basis after being fully in- tegrated into B&G Foods net sales of ap- proximately $85 million. Specialty Brands is a leading packaged foods company with a portfolio of strong and differentiated brands. Specialty Brands' largest brand is Bear Creek Country Kitchens. Bear Creek is a leading brand of hearty dry soups in the United States. Bear Creek also offers a line of savory pasta dishes and hearty rice dishes. In addition, Specialty Brands also offers Spring Tree, Cary's and MacDonald's pure maple syrups and pancake syrups, as well as New York Flatbreads and Canoleo margarine. B&G Foods and its subsidiaries manu- facture, sell and distribute a diversified portfolio of high-quality, branded shelf-sta- ble foods across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Based in Parsippany, N.J., the company's products are marketed under many recognized brands, including Ac'cent, B&M, Baker's Joy, Brer Rabbit, De- vonsheer, Don Pepino, Emeril's, JJ Flats, Joan of Arc, Las Palmas, Maple Grove Farms, New York Style, Old London, Orig- inal Tings, Polaner, Red Devil, Regina, Rickland Orchards, Sa-són, Sclafani, Trappey's, TrueNorth, Underwood, Ver- mont Maid, Wright's and more. GN Austin Specialty Foods Brings Mexicali Cerveza and Day of the Dead Craft Beer to Texas Drinks Americas Holdings, the exclusive U.S. broker for Mexican beer brands Mex- icali Cerveza and Day of the Dead Craft Beer recently announced that distributor Austin Specialty Foods is leading the mis- sion to bring authentic Mexican beer to the U.S. market. Austin Specialty Foods is the only dedicated specialty food and beverage distributor in the greater Austin area to offer dry and refrigerated distribution serv- ices across multiple categories. Drinks Americas' Mexicali is an iconic Mexican beer brand that is independently owned by a Mexican family. The beer is an institution in Mexico and Southern Califor- nia, where it is praised for its taste, the product of a historic family recipe. While not as well-known as its iconic counterpart, the company's Day of the Dead Craft Beer is an award-winning line brewed and bot- tled straight from Mexico. Growing in pop- ularity, the quality and packaging of Day of the Dead Craft Beer pays homage to Mexi- can culture and heritage and is a product people of Mexican descent can feel proud to purchase and enjoy. "With such a heavy Mexican population in Texas, Mexicali is the authentic Mexican beer and Day of the Dead is the award-win- ning Mexican craft beer line that every Mex- ican should be proud of," said Ben Erwin, Managing Partner of Austin Specialty Foods. "We are thrilled to be the ones to bring 'real Mexican beer' back to Texas and to head up the movement nationwide. Already, we have placed both authentic premium Mexican beer brands in over 100 accounts in just two unseasonably cold weeks." "Texas is an advantageous market for us given its high Mexican population and close proximity to our Mexican owned brewery," added Timothy Owens, CEO of Drinks Americas. "Located in Austin, known to be a highly visible trend-setting city, Austin SF will be instrumental in helping us re-ignite a passion for 'real Mexican beer'—both iconic and craft— among the city's trendy craft beer-follow- ing. We are happy to have them represent our brands and are excited to see their success in the market." GN Flowers Foods Licenses Wonder and Home Pride Bread Brands to Aunt Millie's Bakeries Flowers Foods, Inc. recently announced it has signed an agreement that gives Aunt Millie's Bakeries of Fort Wayne, Ind., the exclusive license to produce and market Wonder and Home Pride breads in northwestern Indiana, northern Illinois (including Chicago) and southern Wisconsin. With the agreement, Wonder and Home Pride breads will return to store shelves in the near future after being off the market in these areas since the November 2012. Flowers Foods acquired the Wonder and Home Pride brands, along with Merita and Butternut, in July 2013. In September 2013, the company reintroduced Wonder and the other brands to its direct-store-delivery market, which reaches approximately 79 percent of the U.S. population. Headquartered in Thomasville, Ga., Flowers Foods, Inc. is one of the largest producers of fresh packaged bakery foods in the United States with 2013 sales of $3.75 billion. Learn more at www.flowersfoods.com. Chiquita Brands International, Inc. Combines with Fyffes Plc Chiquita Brands International, Inc. and Fyffes plc recently announced that the Boards of Directors of both companies have unanimously approved a definitive agreement under which the two companies will combine. The agreement creates a global fresh produce company with approximately $4.6 billion in annual revenues. Chiquita and Fyffes plan to complete the transaction before the end of 2014. Chiquita is a leading international marketer and distributor of nutritious and high-quality fresh food products, including bananas, packaged salads and healthy snacks. Chiquita has a global presence with operations in 70 countries. Fyffes is a leading international marketer and distributor of top quality, healthy tropical produce, marketed under a variety of well- known brands including Fyffes ® and Sol ® . It has operations in Europe, the United States, Central America, South America and Asia. Santé Specialty Foods Expands U.S. Distribution Santé Specialty Foods recently announced an expanded agreement with Tony's Fine Foods, the largest privately owned distributor of deli, bakery, foodservice, specialty and perishable products in Northern California. Under the agreement, Tony's will now distribute all nine flavors of Santé nuts in California, Hawaii, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Additionally, Santé signed with Carmela Foods, a specialty food and fine wine distributor servicing independent specialty food retailers, restaurants, country clubs, hotels and resorts throughout the state of Michigan and northern Ohio. Carmela Foods will offer all flavors of Santé nuts in these states in the 4-ounce and 5-ounce packages, as well as in 10-pound bulk bags for foodservice. Santé nuts are all-natural, gluten-free, kosher, and made by hand in small batches with only the highest quality ingredients, including organic canola oil. For more information, recipes or orders, contact 408.451.9585, or visit www.santénuts.com.

• Cover