Farmers Hen House Joins Forces with Pete & Gerry's Organics

Farmers Hen House, a company founded in Kalona, Iowa in 1997, has been acquired by Pete & Gerry’s Organics, a leading specialty egg producer based in New Hampshire. The acquisition, finalized this month, makes the combined entity the largest branded Free-Range/Pasture-Raised egg business in the industry, encompassing three labels: Pete & Gerry’s Organic, Nellie’s Free-Range, and Farmers Hen House. The newly merged company will operate from four facilities located in Iowa, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. This merger is anticipated to bolster the growth of specialty egg production and create employment opportunities, with an additional 35 to 40 positions projected at the Kalona facility. Farmers Hen House, initially small scale, expanded through partnerships and a focus on organic, cage-free, and free-range production, adopting strategies to meet rising consumer demand. The involvement of private equity firm Benford Capital in 2021 was pivotal in enhancing Farmers Hen House's market presence, leading to significant growth. Pete & Gerry's acquisition is expected to further enhance market reach and capitalise on shifting consumer preferences toward premium-grade eggs.