A Sweet Comeback for Uncle Matt’s Organic
May 18, 2020 Uncle Matt’s Organic has been a longtime Florida citrus fixture. Things got stirred up three years ago when the family owned company was purchased by Dean Foods. Now, it appears circumstances have come full circle as the popular organic juice brand has officially been welcomed back home to founder and CEO Matt McLean. This unexpected twist of fate has yielded a new parent company (Harmoni, Inc.), a strong lineup of advisors/investors, and ample opportunities for the future.
Dean Foods purchased Uncle Matt’s in June 2017 and retained the team to continue running the business, including McLean and his wife, Susan, who oversees marketing. In November 2019, Dean Foods filed for bankruptcy after struggling with shifting consumer preferences, private label competition, and a reduction in milk processing. This situation presented an opportunity for McLean to bid for the brand he started. The rest was history.
“If you told me three years ago after selling to a publicly-traded, multibillion dollar CPG leader that I’d buy Uncle Matt’s Organic back out of bankruptcy, I wouldn’t have believed you,” says Matt McLean. “When Dean’s financial distress took a saddening and unfortunate turn, it became a rare opportunity for us to purchase Uncle Matt’s to expand distribution, innovate into new categories, and educate consumers on the intrinsic health benefits of buying organic.”
The McLean family has assembled a lineup of successful industry investors including:
- Gary Hirshberg, Co-Founder of Stonyfield Organic
- John Foraker, Former CEO of Annie’s and Co-Founder and CEO of Once Upon a Farm
- Andrew Abraham, MD, CEO and Founder at Orgain
- Nicole & Peter Dawes, Founders of Late July Snacks & Nixie Sparkling Water
- Matt Rogers, Founder of Nest and Incite.org
Renewal Funds, a mission venture capital firm with a commitment to supporting organic companies, also participated.
“My wife and I are excited for the opportunities ahead,” McLean adds. “To be surrounded and supported by colleagues who have had enormous success in the organic industry is an honor and a journey we are looking forward.”
The sale of Uncle Matt’s Organic to Harmoni, Inc., was finalized on April 30.
Subscribe Today For
