Caulipower Acquired by Co-Manufacturer Urban Farmer

Caulipower, maker of a variety of gluten-free frozen foods and best known for its cauliflower-based pizza crusts, has been acquired by Urban Farmer, a producer of specialty dough products and portfolio company of Paine Schwartz Partners, according to a report in Forbes. Terms were not disclosed.

The acquisition gives Caulipower access to Urban Farmer’s fully integrated manufacturing capabilities and its private-label and co-manufacturing network. Urban Farmer has been co-manufacturing Caulipower’s products for the last nine years, according to the company.

Caulipower brings with it an extensive nationwide distribution network and reach into millions of new households for Urban Farmer’s business. The combination is expected to create a vertically integrated, scaled platform in the better-for-you frozen pizza and dough category.

Caulipower will continue to operate under its own brand, with Chris Jaromin, CEO of Urban Farmer, continuing to lead the entire company. Gail Becker, founder of Caulipower, will serve on Urban Farmer’s board and continue to guide Caulipower’s vision, innovation and brand, the report noted.

Becker was quoted in the report saying, “When I founded Caulipower, I searched for a co-manufacturer to bring my idea of a frozen cauliflower-crust pizza to life. Most turned me down, but Urban Farmer said yes.

“What a full-circle moment it is, nine years after disrupting the $6 billion frozen pizza category, to have our two companies join forces,” she added.

In May 2024, Caulipower named Tyler Ricks as CEO — a known “exit specialist” — offering an indication of where the company wanted to go in terms of growth. In addition, Food Processing caught up with Becker and Caulipower this fall, when we highlighted a handful of successful food and beverage entrepreneurs in our September print issue cover story.