Pickle Power: Patriot Pickle Purchases Processing Peer

May 24, 2023

Second acquisition in the last 14 months adds capacity to New Jersey pickle processor’s capabilities.

Patriot Pickle, a Wayne, N.J., fresh pickle processor and distributor to restaurant chains, supermarkets and delis, announced the acquisition of First Place Foods — a Garland, Texas, company that produces fresh pickles, fermented pickles, relish and other pickled vegetables primarily for the foodservice and institutional channels.

The acquisition of First Place Foods offers geographic expansion for Patriot Pickle, a company release said, and is an attempt to address perceived growth as consumers look for healthier snacks. Patriot Pickle is part of the portfolio of private-equity firm Swander Pace Capital, and according to the release, this is the second acquisition for Patriot Pickle. The company acquired the pickle business from Farm Ridge Foods in April 2022.

About the Author

Andy Hanacek | Senior Editor

Andy Hanacek has covered meat, poultry, bakery and snack foods as a B2B editor for nearly 20 years, and has toured hundreds of processing plants and food companies, sharing stories of innovation and technological advancement throughout the food supply chain. In 2018, he won a Folio:Eddie Award for his unique "From the Editor's Desk" video blogs, and he has brought home additional awards from Folio and ASBPE over the years. In addition, Hanacek led the Meat Industry Hall of Fame for several years and was vice president of communications for We R Food Safety, a food safety software and consulting company.