Frozen food manufacturer Caulipower acquired by Urban Farmer
Urban Farmer has acquired vegetable-based frozen food manufacturer Caulipower, maker of gluten-free, cauliflower crust frozen pizza.
The acquisition strengthens Urban Farmer’s nationwide distribution and innovation pipeline, according to a news release. Caulipower will continue to operate under its brand name.
Urban Farmer, a portfolio company of private equity firm Paine Schwartz Partners, produces specialty dough products for brands and major retailers across North America.
Gail Becker founded Caulipower in 2016 to help provide nutritious options for her two sons with Celiac disease, an autoimmune disease which renders sufferers unable to process gluten.
“Caulipower has transformed how people think about comfort food,” Urban Farmer CEO Chris Jaromin said in the release. “Caulipower’s commitment to making better-for-you foods accessible and delicious aligns perfectly with Urban Farmer’s mission to combine culinary innovation with quality manufacturing. Together, we’ll expand our ability to bring nutritious, craveable foods to more tables across the country.”
Jaromin will remain as Urban Farmer CEO. Becker will serve on Urban Farmer’s board, according to the release.
“When I founded Caulipower in 2016, I searched for a co-manufacturer to bring my idea of a frozen cauliflower crust pizza to life. Most turned me down, but one said yes — and that was Urban Farmer,” Becker said. “How fitting that years after Caulipower disrupted the $6 billion-dollar frozen pizza category, our two companies are joining forces again in such a meaningful way.”
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Combining Caulipower’s groundbreaking brand and Urban Farmer’s integrated manufacturing platform creates a powerful engine for innovation and growth,” Caulipower CEO Tyler Ricks said. “We believe this combination establishes a clear category leader in better-for-you frozen dough and underscores our long-term conviction in the health and wellness segment of the industry.”
