Campbell Soup to Sell Garden Fresh, Local Workers Waiting for Answers
Ferndale, MI – Campbell Soup announced they are selling Garden Fresh and Bolthouse Farms according to several national news sources. Ferndale-based Garden Fresh was family owned from 1998-2015 when the company was sold to Campbell’s for $231 Million.
According to USA Today, CEO Denise Morrison left suddenly earlier this year and “Campbell Soup is trying to get traction amid a cultural shift away from packaged foods and toward natural ingredients and prepared foods.”
The company has struggled with declining soup sales, as well as a recent salmonella-related recall of their Goldfish crackers. It is unknown how the sale will impact the product and the local jobs and production.
A local worker at the Garden Fresh facility in Ferndale stated that employees have not been informed of the sale or if any changes can be expected. The company employs over 300 people in it’s Ferndale facilities.
Garden Fresh founder Jack Aronson, who sold the company to Campbell’s, said “ “I will do everything in my power to ensure Garden Fresh remains in Ferndale. Even though I am sorry the C Fresh division didn’t work out as planned, I am happy Campbell’s is keeping their core business. I have tremendous respect for the Campbell family and their iconic brand.”
Oakland County Times has reached out to Campbell’s for comment, and this story will be updated as soon as more information is available.
Garden Fresh responded to Oakland County Times’ questions about what the employees and community can expect, with an email stating “Thanks for your enquiry. We don’t have any specifics to share about jobs at this time.”
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