Litehouse Foods acquires Sky Valley

By Cameron Rasmusson
Reader Staff

Litehouse Foods, one of Sandpoint’s most successful businesses, just got a little bigger. 

The major producer of salad dressings, marinades, condiments and sauces announced last week it will acquire “substantially all the assets” of Sky Valley Foods effective June 1. 

Known for its organic and natural dressings, condiments and more, Sky Valley Foods will add to Litehouse’s manufacturing capabilities on the East Coast and grow its standing in the organic food market. 

“For some time Litehouse has been looking to offer products that could be sold in the center aisles of the grocery store. Before moving forward, we needed to ensure that the products we brought to market had the same high quality standards and reliance on real ingredients as our core Litehouse products,” said Kelly Prior, president of Litehouse, in a press release. “As we looked at Sky Valley Foods and their commitment to real food, real ingredients and better quality, we found great synergies.”

A centerpiece of the acquisition is Sky House Foods’ 132,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Danville, Va. It’s the latest stab by Litehouse officials in increasing the company’s ability to manufacture and distribute products throughout the country. Over the past several years, Litehouse has bolstered its manufacturing infrastructure in several cities, including the one located in north Sandpoint. 

The acquisition also includes a new role for Sky Valley Foods founder Rachel Kruse, who is joining Litehouse to direct the future of its new Organicville and Sky Valley brands. Litehouse officials said her experience and proven success in the organic market will be an invaluable resource for the company as it grows its brands. 

“I am very excited to join the Litehouse team and have the opportunity to continue driving the development of products that promote better eating and meet the consumer’s growing demand for better-for-you products,” said Kruse.