USA – Stonewall Kitchen, a speciality food producer has announced an agreement to acquire the organic apple sauce and raw apple cider vinegars producer, Vermont Village brand from parent company Village Cannery of Vermont.

Miane-headquartered Stonewall Kitchen produces a range of sauces, condiments, crackers and baking mixes and owns various brands including Napa Valley Naturals, a producer of olive oils, culinary oils, balsamic vinegars and wine vinegars.

Stonewall Kitchen also has interest in pickled vegetables and cocktail cherries- produced under the Tillen Farms brand – as well as seafood sauces and condiments under Legal Sea Food, a maker of seafood sauces and condiments.

John Stiker, chief executive of Stonewall Kitchen said that the acquisition of Vermont Village will support Stonewall’s ambitions of establishing a leading premium branded specialty food platform.

“We have greatly admired the Vermont Village brand and its superior quality apple sauce and vinegar products, a line that is complementary to our current offerings of premium specialty foods.

“Both brands share similar values of an authentic New England heritage, simple ingredients, exciting category presence and expanding distribution.

“Their organic apple sauce has long been a family favourite here in New England, and their innovative and delicious sipping vinegars make it easy to get the daily health benefits of apple cider vinegar without the vinegar taste,” he added.

“By leveraging our sales and marketing expertise, product development capabilities and other corporate support functions, we will drive exceptional growth of both brands while maintaining our commitment to superior quality products.”

Based in Barre, Vt., Vermont Village operates three facilities with its apple cider vinegar, apple cider vinegar shots, functional vinegars, malt vinegar, apple sauces and apple butter available in more than 13,000 stores nationwide.

Joseph Sheperd, the owner of Village Cannery of Vermont added: “Since the start of Vermont Village, our mission has always been to produce healthy, accessible food while spreading the spirit of New England.

“We can’t imagine a better company to partner with to continue growing that mission. We’re looking forward to experiencing all that’s to come for the Vermont Village brand.”

The transaction is expected to close in September 2019.