Health food brand Nourish Foods has been acquired by Tempo Group of Companies. Family owned Nourish Foods went into voluntary administration in September.
Tempo is a global supplier of mainly consumer and electrical goods, with offices in eight countries. Nourish Foods is the fourth addition to its food and beverage portfolio. It also distributes Greek company Tripsas’ olives to ANZ and North America and owns Paramount Salmon and Brunswick Sardines. Tempo acquired the seafood brands from Noumi (then Freedom Foods Group) in November 2021 for around $3 million.
Tempo executive director, Nicholas Stergiotis, said: “The acquisition of the Nourish Foods portfolio of brands forms an important strategic investment for the Tempo Group and builds upon our focus in expanding our existing Food & Beverage business within the health and wellness snacking segment.”
Monica and James Meldrum founded Nourish Foods in 2005, launching the brand Whole Kids. It was a range of organic and allergen-friendly snacks for kids, creating a new category in the market of snacks free from genetically modified organisms (GMOs), artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives.
It launched two more brands earlier this year, aged at the infant and teen markets.
“The acquisition of Nourish Foods means that the brands and great products made popular by the founders can continue to service retail partners and customers in the Australian and New Zealand markets.
“For Tempo, this investment enhances our expanding food and beverage division as we look forward to growing all the Nourish brands and realising the vision that James and Monica have created,” Stergiotis said.
Nourish Foods founder and CEO Monica Meldrum told Food & Drink Business it had been an extremely challenging time but had an excellent outcome.
“The Whole Kids brand has a strong and loyal customer base, and has been leading the market with innovative products for almost two decades. With the addition of the new Offbeat and Just Add brands, we see the Nourish Foods range continue to grow and innovate under the new ownership of Tempo,” Meldrum said.
