IN THE NEWS
Galaxy Nutritional Foods Relocates to Rhode Island
Growing Natural Foods Company brings 20 new jobs to North Kingstown February 1st
PROVIDENCE, RI – Galaxy Nutritional Foods, America’s leading producer of cheese alternatives will relocate their corporate offices from Orlando, Florida to North Kingstown, Rhode Island effective February 1, 2010. Galaxy’s Corporate Headquarters will be located in the Quonset Point area.
In June 2009, the company was taken private, via a public tender offer. Galaxy Partners, the former majority stockholder, and Mill Road Capital, an investment group out of Greenwich, CT, sponsored the transaction. With new investment and a revamped management team, Galaxy is now dedicated to expanding its brands through both organic growth, as well as acquisitions.
Relocating the company to the Northeast region was considered during the initial acquisition plan. Many of the company’s key retailers and distributors are located in the Northeastern U.S.
“This is great news, and I welcome Galaxy Foods to the State of Rhode Island,” Governor Donald L. Carcieri said. “This marks the second natural foods company to relocate to Rhode Island in the past year. The natural and organic foods industry is rapidly gaining a stronghold in the consumer market, and Rhode Island is an ideal location for such companies, with access to innovation at our institutions of higher education and a talented workforce that will help drive any company’s continued growth.”
“We are very excited about relocating and establishing over 20 new jobs in Rhode Island as well as being a socially responsible neighbor; our office and company participates in an environmentally conscious Carbon Fund Offset program,” said CEO, Rick Antonelli, former senior executive of United Natural Foods (UNFI) and local East Greenwich, RI resident.
“One of the first steps in this plan was the recent acquisition of the BeeCeuticals brand of natural and organic health and beauty aids, “ said Mr. Antonelli.
Galaxy is a 25-year-old company that forged innovation in the lactose intolerant and diet related products industry for many years. Galaxy’s VEGGIE brand cheese alternative is the leading seller in the nation; the brand is sold in the produce section of the most major supermarkets in the U.S. and Canada.
Additionally, Galaxy produces other lines of cheese alternatives under the brand names of Rice, Veggy, and Vegan. These items are sold in natural food retailers and supermarkets nationwide.
About Galaxy Nutritional Foods, Inc
Galaxy Nutritional Foods’ commitment to providing smart food choices for health-conscious consumers spans more than 25 years. Specializing in great tasting, plant-based cheese alternatives and organic food products, Galaxy uses high-quality, natural and organic ingredients. Its pioneering cheese alternative brands fulfill people’s desire for cheese without trans fat, cholesterol or lactose. Galaxy Nutritional Foods’ Veggie® brand is the No. 1 soy-based cheese alternative in grocery stores nationwide and is primarily found in the produce department. Galaxy’s other popular cheese alternative brands, available in natural foods stores nationwide, include soy-free Rice®, soy-based Veggy®, dairy-free Vegan®, and dairy- and soy-free Rice Vegan®. Beyond cheese alternatives, Galaxy provides organic cheese products under the Wholesome Valley Organic® brand, natural and organic body care products under the BeeCeuticals® brand, and is committed to environmental responsibility as part of its Eat Green for Body & Earth™ program. Visit www.GalaxyFoods.com to learn more.