Rastelli Foods Group, a Swedesboro, N.J.-based processor and distributor of high-quality meats, seafood and meals to foodservice, retail and direct-to-consumer, set an agreement to become the exclusive sales and marketing company for with Katama Foods, a Chicago-based owner and manager of organic, sustainable food brands, primarily organic beef. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"Our partnership with Katama is a big boost to the Rastelli Foods’ corporate strategy, which is to focus on growing our participation in the sustainable foods sector and in retail-ready organic foods," says Ray Rastelli, co-founder and president of Rastelli Foods.

Part of the expansion plan includes construction of a 50,000-square-foot addition to the company’s Swedesboro facility and focusing on the fabrication and packaging of organic and natural meat, sustainable seafood and retail-ready prepared organic foods through the integration of Katama's operations. The expansion is on track to be completed by June 2014.

Scott Lively, co-founder and CEO of Katama Foods, will join Rastelli's management team as head of its retail food division.

"We have worked hard to build Katama's profile in the organic and sustainable sectors of the food industry, and are excited about joining forces with a company that has the resources and the reputation that Rastelli brings to the table," Lively says.

Katama Foods' brands include Sustainable Gourmet, American Organic Grass-fed, Family Farms Organic and Back2Earth.