– Transaction creates new joint-venture within the North American produce business backed by personal funding corporations –
– Events intend to supply further capital to execute a roll-up technique of different produce property and operations –
Lake Mary, FL, June 2, 2025 – Vanguard Meals LP, a privately-held produce business three way partnership between Kennedy Lewis Funding Administration, Sweat Equities, and Village Farms Worldwide, as we speak introduced the closing of a transaction which created a brand new, rising chief within the North American produce business.
The previously-announced transaction privatized sure property and operations of Village Farms Worldwide’s contemporary produce phase, leveraging a long time of management within the cultivation, gross sales, advertising and distribution of produce with the intention of making a premier branded CPG meals firm supporting wholesome existence and sustainable farming practices. The Events count on to assist Vanguard with further capital sources to execute a roll-up technique of different North American produce manufacturers and property, and plan to increase product classes and choices for purchasers by way of M&A.
Charlie Sweat, Chairman of Vanguard and Founding father of Sweat Equities commented, “We’re thrilled to announce the closing of this transaction, and imagine we’re positioned properly to capitalize on shifting client habits that calls for more healthy alternate options to processed meals. We now have a longtime, confirmed working staff and count on to draw further human capital as we increase our platform and execute our technique.”
Doug Logigian, Co-Managing Associate and President of Kennedy Lewis Funding Administration commented, “We’re happy to announce our participation with the closing of this transaction and see large alternative for Vanguard to ship worth for stakeholders because it expands its platform by way of new product improvement and IP innovation. We glance ahead to partnering with Charlie and Village Farms and to supporting Vanguard because it executes its go-forward progress methods.”
Michael A. DeGiglio, Chief Government Officer of Village Farms and Interim Chief Government Officer of Vanguard Meals LP commented, “Immediately’s announcement displays the start of a brand new period for the legacy produce enterprise of Village Farms, and we’re excited to start constructing our shared imaginative and prescient for the longer term. This partnership makes us stronger, supplies extra sources to drive innovation and worth for purchasers, and can function a catalyst for future progress and growth.”
About Vanguard Meals LP
Vanguard Meals LP is a privately-held joint-venture between Kennedy Lewis Funding Administration, Sweat Equities, and Village Farms Worldwide, Inc. which seeks to create a premier branded CPG meals firm supporting wholesome existence and sustainable farming practices. The corporate owns and operates 80-acres of superior greenhouse amenities in Texas, and thru provide agreements with grower companions in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, sources and distributes contemporary produce from an incremental 385-acres of greenhouse and out of doors manufacturing. The corporate expects to proceed buying different produce property and operations with the assist of its personal funding agency companions, and can overview numerous merchandise and firms throughout many manufacturing strategies whereas increasing its platform.
About Kennedy Lewis Funding Administration
Kennedy Lewis is a credit score centered various asset supervisor based in 2017 by David Chene and Darren Richman with over $28 billion underneath administration throughout personal funds, a publicly traded REIT centered on land banking, a non-exchange traded enterprise improvement firm, and collateralized mortgage obligations.
About Sweat Equities
Sweat Equities is a personal fairness agency centered on investments within the well being and wellness space with an emphasis on client items within the meals and beverage house. Sweat Equities is led by founder and managing principal, Charlie Sweat, and is made up of seven funds – a major SE Fund LP with seven portfolio corporations and 6 SPVs (Particular Function Autos) totaling roughly $100 million of invested capital. The Sweat Equities mannequin focuses on partnering with corporations that may profit past capital, leveraging the added worth of the Sweat Fairness staff and its group of Advisors specializing in govt management, provide chain, operations/manufacturing, finance, gross sales and advertising, communications, and occasions.
Sweat Equities Fund II targets $400 million of capital centered on bigger, mid-market corporations versus the extra rising firm markets in its first Funds. This preliminary Fund II funding represents step one in a quick and enormous M&A method to construct a contemporary meals platform bringing wholesome, contemporary meals to the market at scale.
