Birds Eye decides to hold the sauerkraut

Birds Eye Foods, manufacturer and marketer of frozen vegetables, has exited the sauerkraut business. The operating assets and the liabilities of Great Lakes Kraut LLC (GLK) were transferred to a subsidiary of Flanagan Brothers Inc of Bear Creek WI, which had been the joint venture partner of Birds Eye Foods in the sauerkraut business. GLK was formed in 1997 when Birds Eye Foods and Flanagan Brothers contributed the assets of their sauerkraut businesses into GLK.

The transaction changes the ownership structure of the sauerkraut business, but does not impact GLK production facilities or employees. Operations will continue at the Shortsville NY production and distribution facilities, which employs 62 full-time people, and at the Bear Creek facility, employing 40 full-time employees. Brand names produced include Silver Floss and KRRRRSP Kraut. The transaction includes a continuation of the sourcing agreement with Pro-Fac Cooperative, whose members supply cabbage to the business.