Sargento Foods said it will acquire La Terra Fina, a manufacturer of premium dips, spreads and quiches, in a deal that brings the cheesemaker into the deli section for the first time.
Financial details for the transaction, set to close in September, were not disclosed. Beyond Sargento's deli debut, the deal more broadly reflects the company's ambitions to expand its presence in snacks and mealtime occasions.
Sargento said La Terra Fina will help it realize its vision to become a more innovative and leading "real food company."
"Demand for real food during all eating occasions has never been greater, which makes La Terra Fina's portfolio attractive," Sargento said in a statement. "Its unique varieties and high-quality ingredients complement both mealtime and snack time for today's consumers."
La Terra Fina, founded in 1983, has been a private affiliate of Catamount Management Corporation since 2015. The company offers a variety of ready-bake quiches and dips and spreads with no artificial flavors, preservatives or colors. The dips and spreads use ingredients such as Greek yogurt and come in flavors like jalapeno ranch and spinach artichoke & parmesan.
Sargento, which generated nearly $2 billion a year as of 2024, is best known for its packaged cheese but found success in snacking with the launch of its Balanced Breaks line around a decade ago. Balanced Breaks combines cheese with nuts, chocolate and brands including Ritz crackers.
More consumers are turning to snacks as meals, especially as rising GLP-1 use drives demand for smaller portions. Dairy companies including Bel Brands have looked to lean on cheese, yogurt and fruit to meet demand for protein while providing consumers with less processed options.
