McCain Foods has invested $55 million in Strong Roots, a plant-based frozen food company, to take a minority stake in the business.
Max Koeune, president and CEO of McCain Foods, said in a statement, “We’re excited to be partnering with Strong Roots, a company that not only aligns with our innovative approach to creating food, but also helps us grow our portfolio of healthier food that meets changing consumer demands in a sustainable way.”
The companies will work together to leverage both companies' strengths to continue Strong Roots' rapid growth and further its mission to "fix the freezer aisle" and provide plant-based, environmentally responsible, positive food choices for everyone. Strong Roots will continue to operate in an independent capacity.
Strong Roots will use McCain Foods' global presence to expand its footprint in existing markets, including Great Britain, Ireland, the U.S., and to enter new markets. The partnership will also allow Strong Roots to expand into the foodservice market through McCain Foods' out-of-home network.
Partnering with Strong Roots, McCain Foods will gain an expanded product portfolio that reaches out to the rising number of consumers looking for healthy, natural, and simple meals that are tasty and include real fruits and vegetables, according to the companies
The partnership also bolsters McCain Foods' commitment to planet-friendly foods. Strong Roots is focused on creating products that are sustainably farmed, shipped, and sold, and was the first Irish plant-based food business awarded a B Corp Certificate in 2020.
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