J.M. Smucker to Buy Adams Peanut Butter

The J.M. Smucker Company (Orrville, OH) and Agrilink Foods, Inc. (Rochester, NY), a wholly owned subsidiary of Pro-Fac Cooperative, have reached an agreement in principle for Smucker to acquire the Adams brand peanut butter business from Agrilink.

Adams is produced by Nalley Fine Foods, Tacoma, WA, an Agrilink business. Adams natural and no-stir peanut butters are marketed principally in the northwestern part of the United States and in western Canada. According to Smucker, the transaction should be completed in January.

"The sale of the Adams brand allows us to continue focusing on our long-term strategy," says Agrilink Foods president and CEO Dennis M. Mullen. "While peanut butter does not fit within that strategy for us, it clearly does for Smucker. We are confident that Adams will be in good hands with The J.M. Smucker Company."

J.M. Smucker Company is a leading producer of branded preserves, jams, jellies, and other fruit spread products, health and natural foods beverages, ice cream toppings and natural peanut butter.

Agrilink Foods processes and markets a variety of product lines of regional branded, private label and food service products in facilities located throughout the United States.

Pro-Fac Cooperative, an agricultural marketing cooperative which consists of more than 600 members, processes fruits, vegetables and popcorn through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Agrilink Foods.