Hearthside Food grows nutrition bar and energy bar business

Hearthside Food Solutions in Downers Grove completed its transaction to acquire Standard Functional Foods Group Inc. of Nashville, Tennessee, in an effort to grow its nutrition and energy bar business.

The acquisition, first announced on Oct. 27, pending regulatory approval and customary closing conditions, was concluded on schedule. Details of the transaction were not disclosed.

The acquisition of SFFGI adds significant additional capacity and capabilities to Hearthside's rapidly growing nutrition bar and energy bar business. The Nashville facility will be the 24th production facility in the Hearthside network, and the 11th facility with bar production capabilities, including three in Europe.

SFFGI was part of Standard Candy Company prior to the acquisition and is regarded as a quality producer with extensive R & D capabilities. These capabilities will now complement Hearthside's existing capabilities, bringing additional value to the expanding bar category.

"We are thrilled to be bringing this facility into our network and to welcome this great team of people into the Hearthside family," said Rich Scalise, Hearthside's chairman and CEO. "They have built a strong and capable operation with a well-deserved reputation. It is one of the things that attracted us to them."