Dutch cheesemaker Vandersterre has recently partnered with Willicroft, a plant-based cheese company located in the Netherlands. Partnering with Willicroft will allow Vandersterre to explore the plant-based cheese market and the opportunities that come with it.

RLS Logistics, a third-generation cold chain solutions provider in the U.S., recently created a joint venture that will offer customers the ability to work with regional family-run cold storage providers on a national basis. The cornerstone of the plan is to partner with existing best-in-class operators in ten to twelve mega-regions of the U.S., as well as Eastern and Western Canada. 

HumanCo, a company focused on healthier living and sustainability, announced today the acquisition of a majority stake in organic, plant-based ice cream company Coconut Bliss. The companies will work together with the goal of growing the Oregon-based ice cream producer into a globally recognized brand.

Anchor Packaging LLC, an innovation leader in rigid food packaging, announced today the acquisition of Panoramic Inc., located in Janesville, Wisconsin. Panoramic Inc is a leading manufacturer of thermoformed products used in fresh food applications, including bakery, produce, and confectionery. 

Brynwood Partners announced its newly-formed portfolio company, Buitoni Food Company, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the North American Buitoni business from Nestlé USA, Inc. The transaction, which includes a 240,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Danville, Virginia, is expected to close within the next 30 days, subject to customary U.S. regulatory review. Terms and conditions of the deal are not being disclosed.

Lineage Logistics (Lineage), the world’s largest provider of temperature-controlled logistics solutions, announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Henningsen Cold Storage Co. (Henningsen). Lineage was founded by and continues to be managed by Bay Grove. The strategic acquisition adds to the company’s expansive U.S. facility network and bolsters its presence in the Pacific Northwest, with the addition of 14 facilities across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Pennsylvania, North Dakota and Oklahoma. Financial terms of the transactions were not disclosed.

Diestel Family Ranch, sustainably raising turkeys since 1949, is acquiring Willie Bird Turkeys, a like-minded family farm that has become known around the world for its high-quality poultry. The company’s fresh free-range natural and organic turkeys, plus award-winning smoked holiday and year-round products, will be sold by Diestel under the well-loved Willie Bird brand. From extraordinarily juicy and tasty turkeys for Thanksgiving, to maple-wood smoked chicken and duck, Willie’s products are smooth, mild-flavored, and a delight to the most discriminate palate.

Global bakery manufacturer and ingredients supplier Dawn Foods announced today it has entered into an agreement to sell its North American frozen manufacturing business to Rise Baking Company. This strategic business decision allows Dawn to focus on its core ingredients business, concentrate its investment and execution on delivering growth and product innovation across its ingredients portfolio, and continue to serve customers who look at Dawn every day as North America’s leader in bakery ingredients. The agreement will expand Rise Baking Company’s strategic North American manufacturing footprint and baked goods product portfolio.

Shoreline Equity Partners, LLC ("Shoreline" or the "Firm") has partnered with management to acquire Engelman Baking Company, Inc. ("Engelman's" or the "Company"). Engelman's is a leading wholesale bakery offering a complete line of high-quality artisan breads and rolls ranging from European and hearth breads, Kaiser and twisted egg rolls to specialty dinner rolls and hand-crafted hamburger and hot dog buns. Engelman's operates a 50,000 sq. ft. SQF Level II bakery and serves restaurants and entertainment venues in the greater Atlanta Area on a daily and just-in-time basis via local delivery routes as well as national accounts via distribution. 

US Foods Holding Corp. (“US Foods”) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Smart Foodservice Warehouse Stores (“Smart Foodservice”) from funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management, Inc. (the “Apollo Funds”) for $970 million in cash.