Violet Foods LLC, the South Jersey manufacturer behind some of the Northeast’s most iconic pizza and pasta sauces, announced on Tuesday it acquired the Muir Glen organic tomato brand from food giant General Mills, Inc.
The acquisition marks a transformative expansion for Violet Foods, which is already home to heritage brands like Sclafani, Fattoria Fresca and Don Pepino—the top-selling pizza sauce brand in the Northeast. By adding Muir Glen’s national organic distribution to its own high-quality “fresh-pack” operations, Violet Foods is positioning itself as a powerhouse in the $5 billion U.S. tomato sauce and canned tomato industry.
Based in Williamstown, Violet Foods has a history stretching back over a century. Its signature brand, Don Pepino, was America’s first fully prepared pizza sauce, pioneered in 1950 by Dominick Sclafani using vine-ripened New Jersey tomatoes.
While financial terms of the Muir Glen deal were not disclosed, the move allows Violet Foods to blend its deep regional expertise in “fresh-packing”—the process of canning tomatoes within hours of harvest to preserve flavor—with Muir Glen’s 35-year legacy as a leader in the organic sector.
The merger creates a complementary portfolio that serves both conventional and health-conscious consumers.
| Feature | Violet Foods Portfolio (Don Pepino, Sclafani) | Muir Glen Brand |
| Specialty | Fresh-pack, “Jersey Fresh” vine-ripened tomatoes | Nationally recognized organic tomato products |
| Market Strength | No. 1 Pizza Sauce brand in the Northeast | Top-tier national organic retail presence |
| Focus | Heritage, authenticity, and foodservice excellence | Sustainability and organic innovation |
“Acquiring Muir Glen is a transformative step,” Jim Mitchell, president of Violet Foods said. “We are uniquely positioned to accelerate innovation and facilitate growth for our customers by combining Muir Glen’s organic legacy with our expertise in high-quality tomato products.”
Violet Foods is a portfolio company of Amphora Equity Partners, a private equity firm that focuses on well-established branded food and beverage products. The acquisition follows Amphora’s strategy of driving value through operational excellence and regional growth.
“We are eager to build on the momentum that General Mills created with this incredible brand,” David West, managing partner at Amphora Equity Partners said.
Industry analysts expect Violet Foods to leverage its Williamstown manufacturing facilities to possibly streamline Muir Glen’s production while expanding its “fresh-pack” techniques to the organic line. For New Jersey residents, the deal brings another major national brand under local management, further solidifying the state’s reputation as a hub for the American food industry.
