Sargento Foods has signed a definitive agreement to acquire La Terra Fina, a California maker of premium refrigerated dips, spreads and quiches, marking the natural cheese company’s entry into the refrigerated deli department.
Terms were not disclosed for the deal, which is expected to close in late September.
Founded in 1983 and based in Union City, California, La Terra Fina has about 250 employees and has been a private affiliate of Catamount Management Corp. since 2015.
“For more than 70 years, our commitment to innovation has driven our success that we share with our employees, customers, suppliers and community,” said Louie Gentine, third-generation chairman and CEO at Sargento, based in Plymouth, Wisconsin. “We will continue this legacy, by growing the La Terra Fina brand and welcoming new members of the Sargento Family.”
Stephen Cottrell, president and CEO at La Terra Fina, said the two family-oriented, long-term-focused businesses are culturally aligned. “I’m excited to enter our next chapter focused on growth and innovation. We know our brand is in the best of hands with Sargento,” he said.
The acquisition is Sargento’s second in recent years, following its 2022 purchase of Wisconsin string cheese maker Baker Cheese. La Terra Fina’s products are sold in club stores, supermarkets and specialty grocers across the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Founded in 1953, Sargento is a family-owned company with more than 2,500 employees and $1.7 billion in net sales, known for introducing pre-packaged sliced and shredded natural cheeses.