Stokes/Ellis Foods Becomes Part of Lewis Foods, Inc.

Denver-based food company, Lewis Foods, Inc., has acquired Stokes/Ellis Foods, a supplier of canned meat products, soups and refried beans to the private label market.

Stokes/Ellis, who also markets retail products under the Stokes, Ellis and Greene's Farm brand names, will operate as a subsidiary of Lewis Foods' Processed Foods Division.

Stokes/Ellis, also based in Denver, offers more than 400 SKUs of products under private label and retail brand names. Its operations include a 220,000-square-foot facility, which is USDA and FDA approved, and is also certified for organic and kosher production.

James Lewis, president and CEO of Lewis Foods, said, ``The Stokes acquisition gives Lewis Foods its first entry into branded products. The successful integration of Stokes is another step in completing Lewis Foods' concept of a vertically integrated food processing and distribution company.''

In addition to its Processed Foods Division, Lewis Foods, Inc., also operates a Fresh Produce Division, including Produce Kountry, Su Casa Produce Partners, L&G Produce, Callaway Murphy Produce Partners and JELTEX Farms. The division includes fresh produce distributors, brokers, wholesalers and a farming operation.