Chevy Chase, Maryland – September 19, 2014 — Arborview Capital announced today that it has completed an investment in Vital Farms Inc., the leading national provider of sustainable pasture-raised eggs and poultry to grocery and food service customers.
The pasture-raised egg and poultry market is growing rapidly in both natural and mainstream grocery channels, as well as in national and local restaurants, due to evolving consumer preferences for healthier, better tasting and more humanely raised food. Each Vital Farms pasture-raised egg-laying chicken grazes freely on over 100 square feet of farmland, versus less than one square foot of caged-indoor space for a conventionally-raised chicken. “Cage free” and “free range” chickens, in practice, have living conditions which are only marginally better than conventionally-raised birds, and are not confined to small cages. For pasture-raised chickens, both layers and broilers, a better diet and better living conditions lead to eggs and poultry which are both more delicious and more nutritious – and, as Vital Farms like to say, it makes their flocks “the happiest hens in the world”.
Since its founding in 2008 in Austin, TX, Vital Farms has grown from a single farm serving local restaurants to a network of over 50 farms nationwide serving many of the largest national and regional grocery and food service customers. In 2012 and 2013 Vital Farms was recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest-growing food companies in the U.S.
Matt O’Hayer, founder and CEO of Vital Farms, said “We wanted an investor who understands the opportunities and challenges faced by growth companies, and we are thrilled to have Arborview Capital as our new partner. The partners at Arborview have tremendous experience and have been a source of constructive value and advice since our first conversation.”
Karl Khoury, Managing Partner of Arborview Capital, said “At Arborview we look for exceptional management teams and rapidly growing businesses which are benefiting from consumer and business trends towards more sustainable products and business practices. We are very excited to have the opportunity to help Vital Farms continue to grow and build its business.”
About Vital Farms
Vital Farms, based in Austin, TX, is the leading national provider of pasture-raised eggs and poultry to natural and mainstream grocery stores, and national, regional and local restaurants. Vital Farms chickens are the “happiest hens in the world” because each one has over 100 square feet of farmland to roam and forage, instead of being crammed in a warehouse. Vital Farms works with over 50 family farms from Georgia to California to source eggs and poultry which is humanely raised – and most importantly, which tastes better and is healthier. Additional information is available at www.vitalfarms.com.
About Arborview Capital
Arborview Capital is a private investment firm that makes growth equity investments in clean energy companies across the energy efficiency and resource efficiency sectors. The firm's principals have significant experience partnering with entrepreneurs to build industry-leading companies. Additional information is available awww.arborviewcapital.com.
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