Gathered Foods, known for its Good Catch plant-based seafood brand, has announced the sale of its production facility, Trellis, located in Heath, Ohio, to Ahimsa Companies.
Ahimsa Companies, the newly formed holding company for plant-based brands, is one of Gathered Foods’ largest stakeholders. Under its new ownership, the facility will continue to function as a plant-based production hub.
“This strategically located plant is a best-in-class production facility”
Gathered Foods will maintain its role as a strategic operating and intellectual property partner for both the facility and the broader portfolio of Ahimsa Companies’ consumer packaged goods holdings.
The facility, commissioned in 2020, produces plant-based seafood, including crab cakes, fish burgers, tuna, and fish fillets, for the Good Catch product line.
Ahimsa’s expansion strategy
Ahimsa Companies, led by CEO Matt Tullman, is currently focused on acquiring plant-based brands and related manufacturing and sales enablement businesses. Regarding its acquisition strategy, Tullman recently told Just Food, “We’re in conversations with something like six or seven brands. I would imagine we’ll get over the line with a handful of them by the end of the year.”
The company aims to support the growth of the plant-based industry through consolidation, vertical integration, and optimized resource use. In an aligned move, Ahimsa Companies acquired Wicked Kitchen, founded by the same individuals who started Gathered Foods, brothers Chad and Derek Sarno.
“The plant is a core asset in our consolidation strategy”
“This strategically located plant is a best-in-class production facility and is one that Ahimsa is keen to optimize and utilize in support of the broader industry. The plant is a core asset in our consolidation strategy,” said Tullman. Ahimsa Companies plans to continue co-manufacturing for existing and new customers while also producing proprietary products for its portfolio holdings.
In addition to its manufacturing endeavors, Ahimsa’s venture capital investment arm, Ahimsa Foundation, has been expanding its portfolio by investing in global plant-based brands. Recent investments include Peruvian Veef in South America, the Canadian cell-based milk company Opalia, Eat Just, and a consulting agreement with Odd Burger.
Future plans for Gathered Foods
Gathered Foods will continue developing high-quality ingredients and finished goods for the industry, targeting B2B, private label, and food service sectors. Its pilot plant and innovation center, Cultivated Food Labs, in Vancouver, B.C., remains a key asset.
Joel Gfeller, president of Gathered Foods, stated, “We have dedicated tremendous energy and effort to bringing the factory to life and establishing this crucial infrastructure for the industry. We look forward to working alongside Ahimsa to support its next stage of growth and to advance our collective mission of enabling plant-based production in the US.”
