Boca Raton, Florida-based Sun Capital Partners has announced its affiliate has completed the acquisition of San Marcos, California-based Fresh Origins, a grower and shipper of microgreens and edible flowers for foodservice and retail customers across the U.S.
Terms of the private transaction were not disclosed.
Founded in 1996, Fresh Origins offers more than 600 varieties of microgreens, petite greens, edible flowers, shoots, tiny veggies and other specialty items, serving more than 350 foodservice distributors, restaurants and retailers across the U.S.
Fresh Origins has more than 2.4 million square feet of growing capacity across more than 45 greenhouses on 123 total acres.
Microgreens and edible flowers are small, edible versions of vegetables, herbs and flowers that are harvested one to two weeks into the growing cycle. Seed to ship is typically 10-14 days. The flowers are utilized by chefs and consumers to elevate the visual appearance of prepared dishes while also enhancing the flavor profile and materially improving nutritional density.
“We are excited about the opportunity to work closely with Fresh Origins’ CEO, Norma St. Amant, to continue to grow and enhance the business,” said Marc Leder, co-CEO of Sun Capital.
“Norma and Company management have built a great organization and we look forward to supporting the company with our operational resources and extensive food industry expertise to help Fresh Origins expand its leadership position in the growing microgreens and edible flowers market.”
Sun Capital has experience partnering with food businesses through current and prior investments, including Creekstone Farms Premium Beef, Del Monte Canada, Elan Nutrition, Fearman’s Pork, Harry’s Fresh Foods, Fresh-Pak, Northland Cranberries, Sunrise Growers-Frozsun Foods and Timothy’s Coffees of the World.
Fresh Origins was advised on the transaction by Houlihan Lokey, FORVIS and Sidley Austin. Sun Capital was advised on the transaction by EY, EY-Parthenon and Kirkland and Ellis.
For more information, visit suncappart.com.
