B&G Foods, Inc. - Annual Report: 2009 (Form 10-K)

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
PART IV

Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 5, 2009

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

Commission file number 001-32316

B&G FOODS, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (973) 401-6500

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

          Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes o    No ý

          Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes o    No ý

          Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes ý    No o

          Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ý

          Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

          Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes o    No ý

          The aggregate market value of the registrant's outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock (including those held as part of Enhanced Income Securities (EISs)) held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 27, 2008, the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $327,288,034. Solely for purposes of this calculation, each outstanding share of Class A Common Stock (including those held as part of an EIS) was assigned a value equal to the $9.10 per share closing price on June 27, 2008 of the separately traded Class A Common Stock, as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange. In determining the aggregate market value of the registrant's Class A Common Stock held by non-affiliates, shares of Class A Common Stock beneficially owned by directors, officers and holders of more than 10% of the registrant's outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock have been excluded. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.

          As of February 28, 2009, the registrant had 36,246,657 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share issued and outstanding, 17,718,136 of which were held as part of EISs and 18,528,521 of which were held separate from EISs. Each EIS represents one share of Class A common stock and $7.15 principal amount of 12% senior subordinated notes due 2016. As of February 28, 2009, the registrant had no shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, issued or outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

          Selected designated portions of the registrant's definitive proxy statement to be filed on or before May 4, 2009 in connection with the registrant's 2009 annual meeting of stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this annual report.

B&G FOODS, INC.

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 3, 2009

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

PART I

Item 1.    Business.

Overview

        The terms "B&G Foods," "our," "we" and "us," as used in this report, refer to B&G Foods, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, except where it is clear that the term refers only to the parent company. Throughout this report, we refer to our fiscal years ended January 1, 2005, December 31, 2005, December 30, 2006, December 29, 2007 and January 3, 2009 as "fiscal 2004," "fiscal 2005," "fiscal 2006," "fiscal 2007,"and "fiscal 2008" respectively.

        B&G Foods manufactures, sells and distributes a diverse portfolio of branded, high quality, shelf-stable food products, many of which have leading regional or national market shares. In general, we position our branded products to appeal to the consumer desiring a high quality and reasonably priced product. We complement our branded product retail sales with growing institutional and food service sales and limited private label sales.

History

        B&G Foods, including our subsidiaries and predecessors, has been in business for over 115 years. We were incorporated in Delaware on November 25, 1996 under the name B Companies Holdings Corp. On August 11, 1997, we changed our name to B&G Foods Holdings Corp. On October 14, 2004, simultaneously with the completion of our initial public offering of EISs (which we refer to in this report as the "2004 EIS offering"), B&G Foods, Inc., our wholly owned subsidiary, was merged with and into us and we were renamed B&G Foods, Inc.

        The table below includes some of the significant events in our recent history:

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Products and Markets

        The following is a brief description of our brands and product lines:

        The Ortega brand has been in existence since 1897 and its products span the shelf-stable Mexican food segment including taco shells, tortillas, seasonings, dinner kits, taco sauces, peppers, refried beans, salsas and related food products. We continue to expand our product offerings, with new products such as the Ortega Grande Breakfast Kit and Ortega rice products.

        The Cream of Wheat brand was introduced in 1893 and is among the leading brands and one of the most trusted and widely recognized brands of hot cereals sold in the United States. Cream of Wheat is available in original 10-minute, 2¹/2 minute and one-minute versions, and also in instant packets of original and other flavors, including Cinnamon Swirl, and Maple Brown Sugar. We also offer Cream of Rice, a rice-based hot cereal. We have recently introduced Whole Grain Cream of Wheat, a product that is a good source of fiber.

        The Maple Grove Farms of Vermont brand, which originated in 1915, is a leading brand of pure maple syrup in the United States. Other products under the Maple Grove Farms of Vermont label include a line of gourmet salad dressings, sugar free syrups, marinades, fruit syrups, confections, pancake mixes and organic products.

        The Bloch & Guggenheimer brand originated in 1889, and its pickle, pepper/pimentos and relish products are a leading brand in the New York metropolitan area. This line consists of shelf-stable pickles, peppers, relishes, olives and other related specialty items.

        The Polaner brand was introduced in 1880 and is comprised of a broad array of fruit-based spreads as well as jarred wet spices such as chopped garlic and oregano. Polaner All Fruit is a leading national brand of fruit-juice sweetened fruit spread. The spreads are available in more than a dozen flavors. Polaner Sugar Free preserves are the second leading brand of sugar free preserves nationally.

        The Las Palmas brand originated in 1922 and primarily includes authentic Mexican enchilada sauce, chili sauce and various pepper products.

        The B&M brand was introduced in 1927 and is the original brand of brick-oven baked beans. The B&M line includes a variety of baked beans and brown bread. The B&M brand currently has a leading market share in the New England region. We have recently added a Grandma's flavor to the brand which has a sweeter, more robust molasses flavor.

        The Underwood brand's "Underwood Devil" logo, which was registered in 1870, is believed to be the oldest registered trademark still in use for a prepackaged food product in the United States. Underwood meat spreads, which were introduced in the late 1860s, include deviled ham, white-meat chicken, barbeque-flavored chicken, white-meat turkey, roast beef and liverwurst.

        The Emeril's brand was introduced in 2000 under a licensing agreement with celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse. We offer a line of pasta sauces, seasonings, cooking stocks, mustards, salsas, pepper sauces and cooking sprays under the Emeril's brand name.

        The Ac'cent brand was introduced in 1947 as an all-natural flavor enhancer for meat preparation and is generally used on beef, poultry, fish and vegetables. We believe that Ac'cent is positioned as a unique flavor enhancer that provides food with the "umami" flavor sensation.

        The Trappey's brand, which was introduced in 1898, has a Louisiana heritage. Trappey's products fall into two major categories—high quality peppers and hot sauces, including Trappey's Red Devil.

        The Joan of Arc brand, which originated in 1895, includes a full range of canned beans including kidney, chili and other beans.

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        The Grandma's brand of molasses, which was introduced in 1890, is the leading brand of premium-quality molasses sold in the United States. Grandma's molasses products are offered in two distinct styles: Grandma's Original Molasses and Grandma's Robust Molasses.

        The Regina brand, which has been in existence since 1949, includes vinegars and cooking wines. Regina products are most commonly used in the preparation of salad dressings as well as in a variety of recipe applications, including sauces, marinades and soups.

        The Wright's brand was introduced in 1895 and is an all-natural seasoning that reproduces the flavor and aroma of pit smoking in meats, chicken and fish. Wright's is offered in two flavors: Hickory and Mesquite.

        The Sa-són brand was introduced in 1947 as a flavor enhancer used primarily for Puerto Rican and Hispanic food preparation. The product is generally used on beef, poultry, fish and vegetables. The brand's flavor enhancer is offered in four flavors: Original, Coriander and Achiote, Garlic and Onion, and Tomato. We have recently introduced reduced sodium versions of Sa-són.

        The Brer Rabbit brand has been in existence since 1907 and currently offers mild and full-flavored molasses products and a blackstrap molasses product. Mild molasses is designed for table use and full-flavored molasses is typically used in baking, barbeque sauces and as a breakfast syrup.

        The Vermont Maid brand has been in existence since 1919 and we offer maple-flavored syrup under the brand name. Vermont Maid syrup is available in regular, sugar-free and sugar-free butter varieties.

Processed Food Industry

        The processed food industry is one of the United States' largest industries. It is characterized by relatively stable sales growth, based largely on price and population increases. As costs have increased in the past few years, price has gained significance as a factor in sales growth. As large food companies with a presence in a variety of branded product categories seek tighter focus within their businesses, they have shed brands or an entire presence in non-core categories. They have also sold smaller brands to increase focus on the larger brands within their portfolios.

        In the past decade, the retail side of the food industry has seen a still on-going shift of sales to non-traditional food outlets such as supercenters, warehouse clubs, dollar stores and drug stores. This shift has caused consolidation of traditional grocery chains into larger entities, often spanning the country under varying banner names. Consolidation has increased the importance of having a leading number one or two brand within a category, be that position national or regional. A broad sales and distribution infrastructure has also become critical for food companies, allowing them to reach all outlets selling food to consumers and expanding their growth opportunities.

Sales, Marketing and Distribution.

        Overview.    We sell, market and distribute our products through a multiple-channel sales, marketing and distribution system to all major U.S. food channels, including sales and shipments to supermarkets, mass merchants, warehouse clubs, wholesalers, food service distributors and direct accounts, specialty food distributors, military commissaries and non-food outlets such as drug store chains and dollar stores.

        We believe our established infrastructure in these channels allows us to distribute our products and any additional products from acquisitions cost-effectively. We sell our products primarily through broker sales networks to supermarket chains, food service outlets, mass merchants, warehouse clubs, non-food outlets and specialty food distributors. The broker sales network handles the sale of our products at the customer level.

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        Sales.    Our sales organization is aligned by distribution channels and consists of regional sales managers, key account managers and sales persons. Regional sales managers sell our products nationwide through national and regional food brokers, with separate organizations focusing on specialty, food service, grocery chain accounts and special markets. Our sales managers coordinate our broker sales efforts, make key account calls with buyers or distributors and supervise broker retail coverage of the products at the store level.

        Our sales strategy is centered around individual brands. We allocate promotional spending for each of our brands and our regional sales managers coordinate promotions with customers. Additionally, our marketing department works in conjunction with the sales department to coordinate special account activities and marketing support, such as couponing, public relations and media advertising.

        We have a national sales force that is capable of supporting our current business as well as potential new acquisitions. Our sales force was able to integrate the Ortega, Grandma's molasses, and Cream of Wheat brands within 30 days following the close of the respective acquisitions.

        Marketing.    Our marketing organization is aligned by brand and is responsible for the strategic planning for each of our brands. We focus on deploying promotional dollars where the spending will have the greatest impact on sales. Marketing and trade spending support, on a national basis, typically consists of advertising trade promotions, coupons and cross-promotions with supporting products. Radio and internet advertising supplement this activity.

        Distribution.    We distribute our products through a multiple-channel system that covers every class of customer nationwide. We believe our distribution system has sufficient capacity to accommodate incremental product volume in a cost-effective manner. See Item 2, "Properties" for a listing of our distribution centers and warehouses.

Customers

        Our top ten customers accounted for approximately 48.1% of our net sales for fiscal 2008. Other than Wal-Mart, which accounted for 14.3% of our fiscal 2008 net sales, no single customer accounted for 10.0% or more of our fiscal 2008 net sales. During each of the last three fiscal years our net sales to foreign countries represented less than 1.0% of our total net sales. Our foreign sales are primarily to customers in Canada.

Seasonality

        Sales of a number of our products tend to be seasonal. In the aggregate, however, our sales are not heavily weighted to any particular quarter due to the diversity of our product and brand portfolio.

        We purchase most of the produce used to make our shelf-stable pickles, relishes, peppers and other related specialty items during the months of July through October, and we purchase substantially all of our maple syrup requirements during the months of April through July. Consequently, our liquidity needs are greatest during these periods.

Competition

        We face competition in each of our product lines. Numerous brands and products compete for shelf space and sales, with competition based primarily on product quality, convenience, price, trade promotion, consumer promotion, brand recognition and loyalty, customer service, advertising and other activities and the ability to identify and satisfy emerging consumer preferences. We compete with numerous companies of varying sizes, including divisions or subsidiaries of larger companies. Many of these competitors have multiple product lines, substantially greater financial and other resources and may have lower fixed costs and/or be substantially less leveraged than we are. Our ability to grow our business could be impacted by the relative effectiveness of, and competitive response to, our product

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initiatives, product innovation, advertising and promotional activities. In addition, from time to time, we experience margin pressure in certain markets as a result of competitors' pricing practices.

        Ortega products compete primarily with the Old El Paso® and Taco Bell® brands. Cream of Wheat products compete primarily with the Quaker® hot cereal brand. Our most significant competitors for our pickle and pepper products are Vlasic® and Mt. Olive® branded products. The J.M. Smucker Company is the main competitor for our fruit spread products marketed under the Polaner label. Our Maple Grove Farms of Vermont pure maple syrup competes directly with the SpringTree® brand in the pure maple syrup category. Our B&M and Joan of Arc products compete primarily with Bush's® brand products. Our Vermont Maid syrup products also have a number of competitors in the general pancake syrup market, including Aunt Jemima®, Mrs. Butterworth's® and Log Cabin®.

        In addition, our products compete not only against other brands in their respective product categories, but also against products in similar or related product categories. For example, our shelf-stable pickles compete not only with other brands of shelf-stable pickles, but also with products found in the refrigerated sections of grocery stores, and all our brands compete against private label products to varying degrees.

Raw Materials

        We purchase raw materials, including agricultural products, meat, poultry, other raw materials and packaging materials from growers, commodity processors, other food companies and packaging manufacturers located in U.S. and foreign locations. Our principal raw materials include maple syrup, wheat, beans, fruits, peppers, cucumbers, other vegetables, meat, poultry and corn sweeteners. We purchase our agricultural raw materials in bulk or pursuant to short-term supply contracts. We purchase most of our agricultural products between April 1 and October 31. We also use packaging materials, particularly glass jars, cans and plastic containers. The profitability of our business relies in substantial part on the prices we and our co-packers pay for these raw materials and packaging materials, which can fluctuate due to a number of factors, including changes in crop size, national, state and local government sponsored agricultural programs, export demand, currency exchange rates, natural disasters, weather conditions during the growing and harvesting seasons, general growing conditions, the effect of insects, plant diseases and fungi, and glass, metal and plastic prices.

        Fluctuations in commodity prices can lead to retail price volatility and intensive price competition, and can influence consumer and trade buying patterns. Although certain commodity prices began to fall in the latter part of fiscal 2008, our commodity prices for wheat, maple syrup, beans and corn sweeteners were substantially higher in fiscal 2008 than those incurred during fiscal 2007. In addition, despite some limited relief in recent months, the cost of labor, manufacturing, energy, fuel, packaging materials and other costs related to the production and distribution of our food products have risen significantly in recent years. We manage these risks by entering into short-term supply contracts and advance commodities purchase agreements from time to time, implementing cost saving measures and by raising sales prices. However, we and our co-packers are still exposed to potential increases in raw material, ingredient, packaging and distribution costs and we cannot assure you that any cost saving measures or sales price increases by us will offset cost increases. To the extent we are unable to offset any cost increases with sales price increases or other cost saving measures, our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity will be significantly impacted.

Production

        Manufacturing.    We operate five manufacturing facilities for our products. See Item 2, "Properties" for a listing of our manufacturing facilities.

        Co-Packing Arrangements.    In addition to our own manufacturing facilities, we source a significant portion of our products under "co-packing" agreements, a common industry practice in which

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manufacturing is outsourced to other companies. We regularly evaluate our co-packing arrangements to ensure the most cost-effective manufacturing of our products and to utilize company-owned manufacturing facilities most effectively. Third parties located in U.S. and foreign locations produce Regina, Las Palmas and Joan of Arc brand products and certain Cream of Wheat, Emeril's and Ortega brand products under co-packing agreements or purchase orders. Each of our co-packers produces products for other companies as well. We believe that there are alternative sources of co-packing production readily available for the majority of our products, although we may experience short-term disturbances in our operations if we are required to change our co-packing arrangements.

        Following the Cream of Wheat acquisition, the instant variety of Cream of Wheat products were manufactured for us by Kraft in a Kraft facility located in Cobourg, Canada pursuant to a transition co-packing agreement that expired in early 2008. During fiscal 2007, we initiated a capital project to expand our Stoughton, Wisconsin facility and to move the Kraft manufacturing equipment located in Cobourg into the Stoughton facility. We completed that project and began producing Cream of Wheat products in Stoughton during the second quarter of 2008 without any disruption in sales. Our Cream of Wheat stove-top products are co-packed for us by a third-party manufacturer located in the United States.

Trademarks and Licensing Agreements

        As of February 28, 2009, we own 109 trademarks that are registered in the United States, 29 trademarks that are registered with certain U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and 377 trademarks that are registered in foreign countries. In addition, we have 11 trademark applications pending in the United States and foreign countries. Examples of our trademarks and registered trademarks include Ac'cent, B&G, B&G Sandwich Toppers, B&M, Brer Rabbit, Cozy Cottage, Cream of Rice, Cream of Wheat, Grandma's, Joan of Arc, Las Palmas, Maple Grove Farms of Vermont, Ortega, Polaner, Regina, Sa-són, Trappey's, Underwood, Vermont Maid and Wright's. We consider our trademarks to be of special significance in our business. We are not aware of any circumstances that would negatively impact our trademarks. Our credit facility is secured by substantially all of our assets (other than our real property), including our rights to our intellectual property.

        In June 2000 we entered into a license agreement with Emeril's Food of Love Productions, L.L.C. (EFLP). This license agreement grants us an exclusive license to use the intellectual property owned by the licensor relating to Mr. Lagasse, including the name "Emeril Lagasse" and pictures, photographs and other personality material, in connection with the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of dry seasoning, liquid seasoning, condiments, sauces, dressings and certain other products through retail channels in the United States, the Caribbean and Canada. We also have the right of first negotiation with respect to other shelf-stable grocery products. Under the license agreement, the licensor owns all of the recipes that it provides to us and all of our Emeril's brand products and related marketing materials are subject to the prior approval of the licensor, which approval may not be unreasonably withheld. In addition, we are prohibited from entering into similar arrangements with other chefs or celebrities in connection with any of the products covered by the agreement with the licensor.

        The license agreement has been extended through May 2010 and is subject to extension and renewal at our option for an indefinite period if we meet specified annual net sales results. Among other things, we are obligated to introduce and market new products in each year of the license agreement and to pay the licensor royalties based on annual net sales of our Emeril's brand products. The license agreement may be terminated by the licensor if we are in breach or default of any of our material obligations thereunder. We have also agreed to indemnify the licensor with respect to claims under the license agreement, including claims relating to any alleged unauthorized use of any mark, personality or recipe by us in connection with the products in the Emeril's line of products.

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        In February 2008, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (MSLO) announced that it was acquiring certain assets related to the business of Emeril Lagasse. In connection with the closing of that transaction and with our consent, EFLP assigned its rights under the license agreement to a subsidiary of MSLO.

Employees and Labor Relations

        As of January 3, 2009, our workforce consisted of 721 employees. Of that total, 554 employees were engaged in manufacturing, 40 were engaged in marketing and sales, 101 were engaged in distribution and 26 were engaged in administration. Approximately 348 of our 721 employees, as of January 3, 2009, were covered by collective bargaining agreements. Approximately 56 of our employees at our Roseland, New Jersey facility were covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen & Helpers of America (Local No. 863), scheduled to expire on March 31, 2009. We are currently in negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement for our Roseland facility. However, we cannot assure you that we will reach a new agreement with the union prior to the expiration date. Approximately 161 of our employees at our Portland and Biddeford, Maine facilities were covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union (AFL-CIO, Local No. 334), scheduled to expire on April 28, 2012. Approximately 131 of our employees at our Stoughton, Wisconsin facility were covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the Drivers, Salesmen, Warehousemen, Milk Processors, Cannery, Dairy Employees and Helpers Union (Local No. 695), scheduled to expire on March 31, 2011. In general, we consider our employee and union relations to be good.

Government Regulation

        Our operations are subject to extensive regulation by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the United States Department of Labor and other federal, state and local authorities regarding the processing, packaging, storage, distribution and labeling of our products and the health and safety of our employees. Our processing facilities and products are subject to periodic inspection by federal, state and local authorities. In addition, our meat processing operation in Portland, Maine is subject to daily inspection by the USDA.

        We are subject to the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder by the FDA. This comprehensive regulatory program governs, among other things, the manufacturing, composition and ingredients, labeling, packaging and safety of food. For example, the FDA regulates manufacturing practices for foods through its current "good manufacturing practices" regulations and specifies the recipes for certain foods. In addition, the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 prescribes the format and content of certain information required to appear on the labels of food products.

        We are also subject to the U.S. Bio-Terrorism Act of 2002 which imposes on us import and export regulations. Under the Bio-Terrorism Act, among other things, we are required to provide specific information about the food products we ship into the United States and to register our manufacturing, warehouse and distribution facilities with the FDA.

        We believe that we are currently in substantial compliance with all material governmental laws and regulations and maintain all material permits and licenses relating to our operations. Nevertheless, there can be no assurance that we are in full compliance with all such laws and regulations or that we will be able to comply with any future laws and regulations in a cost-effective manner. Failure by us to comply with applicable laws and regulations could subject us to civil remedies, including fines, injunctions, recalls or seizures, as well as potential criminal sanctions, all of which could have a

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material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

Environmental Matters

        We are subject to environmental laws and regulations in the normal course of business. We have not made any material expenditures during the last three fiscal years in order to comply with environmental laws or regulations. Based on our experience to date, we believe that the future cost of compliance with existing environmental laws and regulations (and liability for known environmental conditions) will not have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. However, we cannot predict what environmental laws or regulations will be enacted in the future or how existing or future laws or regulations will be enforced, administered or interpreted, nor can we predict the amount of future expenditures that may be required in order to comply with such environmental laws or regulations or to respond to such environmental claims.

Available Information

        Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, we are required to file with or furnish to the SEC annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy and information statements and other information. You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the public reference room. The SEC maintains an internet site at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. We file electronically with the SEC.

        We make available, free of charge, through the investor relations section of our web site, our reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, and amendments to those reports, filed with or furnished to the SEC as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with the SEC. The address for our web site is http://www.bgfoods.com.

        The full text of the charters for each of the audit, compensation and nominating and governance committees of our board of directors as well as our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available at the investor relations section of our web site, http://www.bgfoods.com. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applies to all of our employees, officers and directors, including our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer and principal accounting officer. We intend to disclose any amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to our chief executive officer or chief financial officer and principal accounting officer in the investor relations section of our web site.

        The information contained on our web site is not part of, and is not incorporated in, this or any other report we file with or furnish to the SEC.

Item 1A.    Risk Factors.

        Any investment in our company will be subject to risks inherent to our business. Before making an investment decision, investors should carefully consider the risks described below together with all of the other information included in this report. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties that we are not aware of or focused on or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. This report is qualified in its entirety by these risk factors.

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        Any of the following risks could materially and adversely affect our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. In that case, holders of our securities may lose all or part of their investment.

Risks Specific to Our Company

The packaged food industry is highly competitive.

        The packaged food industry is highly competitive. Numerous brands and products, including private label products, compete for shelf space and sales, with competition based primarily on product quality, convenience, price, trade promotion, brand recognition and loyalty, customer service, effective consumer advertising and promotional activities and the ability to identify and satisfy emerging consumer preferences. We compete with a significant number of companies of varying sizes, including divisions or subsidiaries of larger companies. Many of these competitors have multiple product lines, substantially greater financial and other resources available to them and may have lower fixed costs and/or are substantially less leveraged than our company. If we are unable to continue to compete successfully with these companies or if competitive pressures or other factors cause our products to lose market share or result in significant price erosion, our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity could be materially and adversely affected.

We may be unable to maintain our profitability in the face of a consolidating retail environment.

        Our largest customer, Wal-Mart, accounted for 14.3% of our fiscal 2008 net sales, and our ten largest customers together accounted for approximately 48.1% of our fiscal 2008 net sales. As the retail grocery trade continues to consolidate and our retail customers grow larger and become more sophisticated, our retail customers may demand lower pricing and increased promotional programs. Further, these customers are reducing their inventories and increasing their emphasis on private label products. If we fail to use our marketing expertise and unique products and category leadership positions to respond to these trends, or if we lower our prices or increase promotional support of our products and are unable to increase the volume of our products sold, our profitability and financial condition may be adversely affected.

We are vulnerable to decreases in the supply and increases in the price of raw materials and labor, manufacturing, distribution and other costs, and we may not be able to offset increasing costs by increasing prices to our customers.

        We purchase agricultural products, meat, poultry, other raw materials, ingredients and packaging materials from growers, commodity processors, other food companies and packaging manufacturers. Raw materials, ingredients and packaging materials are subject to increases in price attributable to a number of factors, including changes in crop size, federal and state agricultural programs, export demand, currency exchange rates, energy and fuel costs, weather conditions during the growing and harvesting seasons, insects, plant diseases and fungi, and glass, metal and plastic prices. Although certain commodity prices began to fall in the latter part of fiscal 2008, our commodity prices for wheat, maple syrup, beans and corn sweeteners were substantially higher in fiscal 2008 than those incurred during fiscal 2007. In addition, despite some limited relief in recent months, the cost of labor, manufacturing, energy, fuel, packaging materials and other costs related to the production and distribution of our food products have risen significantly in recent years. We manage these risks by entering into short-term supply contracts and advance commodities purchase agreements from time to time, implementing cost saving measures and by raising sales prices. We cannot assure you that any cost saving measures or sales price increases by us will offset increases to our raw material, ingredient, packaging and distribution costs. To the extent we are unable to offset cost increases, our operating results, profitability and financial condition will be significantly impacted.

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We may be unable to offset any reduction in net sales in our mature food product categories through an increase in trade spending for these categories or an increase in net sales in other categories.

        Most of our food product categories are mature and certain categories have experienced declining consumption rates from time to time. If consumption rates and sales in our mature food product categories decline, our revenue and operating income may be adversely affected, and we may not be able to offset this decrease in business with increased trade spending or an increase in sales or profitability of other products and product categories.

We may have difficulties integrating recent or future acquisitions or identifying new acquisitions.

        Part of our strategy has been to grow through acquisition. However, we may be unable to identify and consummate additional acquisitions or may be unable to successfully integrate and manage the product lines or businesses that we may acquire in the future. In addition, we may be unable to achieve a substantial portion of any anticipated cost savings from future acquisitions or other anticipated benefits in the timeframe we anticipate, or at all. In addition, any acquired product lines or businesses may require a greater amount of trade, promotional and capital spending than we anticipate. Historically, we have grown net sales for some but not all of the brands we have acquired. Acquisitions involve numerous risks, including difficulties in the assimilation of the operations, technologies, services and products of the acquired companies, personnel turnover and the diversion of management's attention from other business concerns. Any inability by us to integrate and manage any acquired product lines or businesses in a timely and efficient manner, any inability to achieve a substantial portion of any anticipated cost savings or other anticipated benefits from these acquisitions in the time frame we anticipate or any unanticipated required increases in trade, promotional or capital spending could adversely affect our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. Moreover, future acquisitions by us could result in our incurring substantial additional indebtedness, being exposed to contingent liabilities or incurring the impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets, all of which could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

We have substantial indebtedness, which could restrict our ability to pay dividends with respect to shares of our Class A common stock; restrict our ability to pay interest on our senior subordinated notes and our senior notes; and impact our financing options and liquidity position.

        At January 3, 2009, we had total long-term indebtedness of $535.8 million, including $370.0 million principal amount of senior indebtedness, and $165.8 million principal amount of senior subordinated indebtedness. Our ability to pay dividends is subject to contractual restrictions contained in the instruments governing our indebtedness. While our credit facility, our senior notes indenture and our senior subordinated notes indenture contain covenants that restrict our ability to incur debt, as long as we meet these covenants we will be able to incur additional indebtedness. The degree to which we are leveraged on a consolidated basis could have important consequences to the holders of our securities, including:

•

our ability in the future to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures or acquisitions may be limited;



•

we may not be able to refinance our indebtedness on terms acceptable to us or at all;



•

a significant portion of our cash flow is likely to be dedicated to the payment of interest on our indebtedness, thereby reducing funds available for future operations, capital expenditures, acquisitions and/or dividends on our Class A common stock; and



•

we may be more vulnerable to economic downturns and be limited in our ability to withstand competitive pressures.

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We are subject to restrictive debt covenants and other requirements related to our debt that limit our business flexibility by imposing operating and financial restrictions on our operations.

        The agreements governing our indebtedness impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us. These restrictions prohibit or limit, among other things:

•

the incurrence of additional indebtedness and the issuance of certain preferred stock or redeemable capital stock;



•

the payment of dividends on, and purchase or redemption of, capital stock;



•

a number of other restricted payments, including investments;



•

specified sales of assets;



•

specified transactions with affiliates;



•

the creation of a number of liens; and



•

consolidations, mergers and transfers of all or substantially all of our assets.

        Our credit facility and our senior notes indenture include other and more restrictive covenants and prohibit us from prepaying our other indebtedness, including our senior subordinated notes, while senior indebtedness is outstanding. Our credit facility requires us to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy financial condition tests, including, without limitation, the following: a maximum leverage ratio, a minimum interest coverage ratio and a maximum senior leverage ratio.

        Our ability to comply with the ratios or tests may be affected by events beyond our control, including prevailing economic, financial and industry conditions. A breach of any of these covenants, or failure to meet or maintain ratios or tests could result in a default under our credit facility, the terms of our senior notes indenture and/or our senior subordinated notes indenture. Certain events of default under our credit facility and the terms of our senior notes indenture would prohibit us from making payments on our senior subordinated notes, including payment of interest when due, and from paying dividends on our common stock. In addition, upon the occurrence of an event of default under our credit facility or the terms of our senior notes indenture, the lenders could elect to declare all amounts outstanding under our credit facility and the senior notes, together with accrued interest, to be immediately due and payable. If we were unable to repay those amounts, the lenders could proceed against the security granted to them to secure that indebtedness. If the lenders accelerate the payment of the indebtedness, our assets may not be sufficient to repay in full this indebtedness and our other indebtedness, including our senior subordinated notes.

To service our indebtedness, we require a significant amount of cash. Our ability to generate cash depends on many factors beyond our control.

        Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our indebtedness and to fund capital expenditures and acquisitions depends on our ability to generate cash flows from operating activities in the future. This ability, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control.

        A significant portion of our cash flows from operating activities is dedicated to servicing our debt requirements. In addition, in accordance with our current dividend policy we distribute a significant portion of any remaining cash flow to our stockholders in the form of dividends.

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        Our ability to continue to expand our business is, to a certain extent, dependent upon our ability to borrow funds under our credit facility and to obtain other third-party financing, including through the sale of separately traded Class A common stock, EISs or other securities.

Financial market conditions may impede our access to, or increase the cost of, financing for acquisitions.

        The recent changes in U.S. and global financial and equity markets, including market disruptions and tightening of the credit markets, may make it more difficult for us to obtain financing for acquisitions or increase the cost of obtaining financing. In addition, our borrowing costs can be affected by short and long-term debt ratings assigned by independent rating agencies that are based, in significant part, on our performance as measured by credit metrics such as interest coverage and leverage ratios. A decrease in these ratings could increase our cost of borrowing or make it more difficult for us to obtain financing.

As a result of disruptions in the credit markets or other factors, we may not be able to refinance our debt upon terms acceptable to us or at all.

        Our credit facility is subject to periodic renewal or must otherwise be refinanced. Likewise, we intend to refinance our senior notes and senior subordinated notes at or prior to maturity. Our $25.0 million revolving credit facility matures on January 10, 2011, our $240.0 million senior notes mature on October 1, 2011, our $130.0 million of term loan borrowings matures on February 26, 2013 and our $165.8 million of senior subordinated notes mature on October 30, 2016, provided, however, that if we do not repay, redeem or refinance our senior notes prior to April 1, 2011, the outstanding term loan borrowings will become immediately due and payable on April 1, 2011.

        Our ability to raise debt or equity capital in the public or private markets in order to effect a refinancing of our debt could be impaired by various factors, including factors beyond our control. For example, U.S. credit markets have recently experienced significant dislocations and liquidity disruptions which have caused the spreads on prospective debt financings to widen considerably. These circumstances have materially impacted liquidity in the debt markets, making financing terms for borrowers less attractive, and in certain cases have resulted in the unavailability of certain types of debt financing. Continued uncertainty in the credit markets may negatively impact our ability to access additional debt financing or to refinance existing indebtedness on favorable terms, or at all. Events affecting the credit markets have also had an adverse effect on other financial markets in the U.S., which may make it more difficult or costly for us to raise capital through the issuance of common stock or other equity securities. Any of these risks could impair our ability to fund our operations or limit our ability to expand our business or increase our interest expense, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

        If we are unable to refinance our indebtedness, including our credit facility or our senior notes, on commercially reasonable terms or at all, we would be forced to seek other alternatives, including:

•

sales of assets;



•

sales of equity; and



•

negotiations with our lenders or noteholders to restructure the applicable debt.

        In addition, if we are unable to refinance the senior subordinated notes or the senior notes, our failure to repay all amounts due on the applicable maturity date would cause a default under the applicable indentures.

        If we are forced to pursue any of the above options, our business and/or the value of an investment in our securities could be adversely affected.

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We rely on co-packers for a significant portion of our manufacturing needs, and the inability to enter into additional or future co-packing agreements may result in our failure to meet customer demand.

        We rely upon co-packers for a significant portion of our manufacturing needs. The success of our business depends, in part, on maintaining a strong sourcing and manufacturing platform. We believe that there are a limited number of competent, high-quality co-packers in the industry, and if we were required to obtain additional or alternative co-packing agreements or arrangements in the future, we can provide no assurance that we would be able to do so on satisfactory terms or in a timely manner. Our inability to enter into satisfactory co-packing agreements could limit our ability to implement our business plan or meet customer demand.

We rely on the performance of major retailers, wholesalers, specialty distributors and mass merchants for the success of our business, and should they perform poorly or give higher priority to other brands or products, our business could be adversely affected.

        We sell our products principally to retail outlets and wholesale distributors including, traditional supermarkets, mass merchants, warehouse clubs, wholesalers, food service distributors and direct accounts, specialty food distributors, military commissaries and non-food outlets such as drug store chains and dollar stores. The replacement by or poor performance of our major wholesalers, retailers or chains or our inability to collect accounts receivable from our customers could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, our customers offer branded and private label products that compete directly with our products for retail shelf space and consumer purchases. Accordingly, there is a risk that our customers may give higher priority to their own products or to the products of our competitors. In the future, our customers may not continue to purchase our products or provide our products with adequate levels of promotional support.

We may be unable to anticipate changes in consumer preferences, which may result in decreased demand for our products.

        Our success depends in part on our ability to anticipate and offer products that appeal to the changing tastes, dietary habits and product packaging preferences of consumers in the market categories in which we compete. If we are not able to anticipate, identify or develop and market products that respond to these changes in consumer preferences, demand for our products may decline and our operating results may be adversely affected. In addition, we may incur significant costs related to developing and marketing new products or expanding our existing product lines in reaction to what we perceive to be increased consumer preference or demand. Such development or marketing may not result in the volume of sales or profitability anticipated.

Severe weather conditions and natural disasters can affect crop supplies and reduce our operating results.

        Severe weather conditions and natural disasters, such as floods, droughts, frosts, earthquakes or pestilence, may affect the supply of the raw materials that we use for our products. Our maple syrup products, for instance, are particularly susceptible to severe freezing conditions in Québec, Canada and Vermont during the season in which maple syrup is produced. Competing manufacturers can be affected differently by weather conditions and natural disasters depending on the location of their supplies. If our supplies of raw materials are reduced, we may not be able to find supplemental supply sources on favorable terms or at all, which could adversely affect our business and operating results.

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We are subject to environmental laws and regulations relating to hazardous materials, substances and waste used in or resulting from our operations. Liabilities or claims with respect to environmental matters could have a significant negative impact on our business.

        As with other companies engaged in similar businesses, the nature of our operations expose us to the risk of liabilities and claims with respect to environmental matters, including those relating to the disposal and release of hazardous substances. Furthermore, our operations are governed by laws and regulations relating to workplace safety and worker health which, among other things, regulate employee exposure to hazardous chemicals in the workplace. Any material costs incurred in connection with such liabilities or claims could have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. Any environmental or health and safety legislation or regulations enacted in the future, or any changes in how existing or future laws or regulations will be enforced, administered or interpreted may lead to an increase in compliance costs or expose us to additional risk of liabilities and claims, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

Our operations are subject to numerous laws and governmental regulations, exposing us to potential claims and compliance costs that could adversely affect our business.

        Our operations are subject to extensive regulation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other national, state and local authorities. For example, we are subject to the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and regulations promulgated thereunder by the FDA. Any changes in these laws and regulations could increase the cost of developing and distributing our products and otherwise increase the cost of conducting our business, which would adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, failure by us to comply with applicable laws and regulations, including future laws and regulations, could subject us to civil remedies, including fines, injunctions, recalls or seizures, as well as potential criminal sanctions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. See Item 1, "Business—Government Regulation."

Failure by third-party co-packers or suppliers of raw materials to comply with food safety, environmental or other regulations may disrupt our supply of certain products and adversely affect our business.

        We rely on co-packers to produce certain of our products and on other suppliers to supply raw materials. Such co-packers and other suppliers, whether in the United States or outside the United States, are subject to a number of regulations, including food safety and environmental regulations. Failure by any of our co-packers or other suppliers to comply with regulations, or allegations of compliance failure, may disrupt their operations. Disruption of the operations of a co-packer or other suppliers could disrupt our supply of product or raw materials, which could have an adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. Additionally, actions we may take to mitigate the impact of any such disruption or potential disruption, including increasing inventory in anticipation of a potential production or supply interruption, may adversely affect our results of operations.

We may be subject to significant liability should the consumption of any of our products cause injury, illness or death.

        The sale of food products for human consumption involves the risk of injury to consumers. Such injuries may result from mislabeling, tampering by unauthorized third parties or product contamination or spoilage, including the presence of foreign objects, substances, chemicals, other agents or residues introduced during the growing, manufacturing, storage, handling or transportation phases of production. Under certain circumstances, we may be required to recall products, leading to a material adverse effect on our business. Even if a situation does not necessitate a recall, product liability claims might be

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asserted against us. We have from time to time been involved in product liability lawsuits, none of which have been material to our business. While we are subject to governmental inspection and regulations and believe our facilities comply in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, if the consumption of any of our products causes, or is alleged to have caused, a health-related illness in the future we may become subject to claims or lawsuits relating to such matters. Even if a product liability claim is unsuccessful or is not fully pursued, the negative publicity surrounding any assertion that our products caused injury, illness or death could adversely affect our reputation with existing and potential customers and our corporate and brand image. Moreover, claims or liabilities of this sort might not be covered by our insurance or by any rights of indemnity or contribution that we may have against others. We maintain product liability insurance in an amount that we believe to be adequate. However, we cannot be sure that we will not incur claims or liabilities for which we are not insured or that exceed the amount of our insurance coverage. Additionally, we do not maintain product recall insurance. A product liability judgment against us or a product recall could have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

Consumer concern regarding the safety and quality of food products or health concerns could adversely affect sales of certain of our products.

        If consumers in our principal markets lose confidence in the safety and quality of our food products even without a product liability claim or a product recall, our business could be adversely affected. Consumers have been increasingly focused on food safety and health and wellness with respect to the food products they buy. We have been and will continue to be impacted by publicity concerning the health implications of food products generally, which could negatively influence consumer perception and acceptance of our products and marketing programs. Developments in any of these areas could cause our results to differ materially from results that have been or may be projected.

Risk associated with foreign suppliers and co-packers, including changes in import/export duties, wage rates, political or economic climates, or exchange rates, may adversely affect our operations.

        Our relationships with foreign suppliers and co-packers subject us to the risks of doing business outside the United States. The countries from which we source our products may be subject to political and economic instability, and may periodically enact new or revise existing laws, taxes, duties, quotas, tariffs, currency controls or other restrictions to which we are subject. Our products are subject to import duties and other restrictions, and the U.S. government may periodically impose new or revise existing duties, quotas, tariffs or other restrictions to which we are subject. In addition, changes in respective wage rates among the countries from which we and our competitors source product could substantially impact our competitive position. Changes in exchange rates, import/export duties or relative international wage rates applicable to us or our competitors could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. These changes may impact us in a different manner than our competitors.

A weakening of the U.S. dollar in relation to the Canadian dollar would significantly increase our future costs relating to the production of maple syrup products.

        We purchase the majority of our maple syrup requirements from suppliers in Québec, Canada. A weakening of the U.S. dollar in relation to the Canadian dollar would significantly increase our future costs relating to the production of our maple syrup products.

Litigation regarding our trademarks and any other proprietary rights and intellectual property infringement claims may have a significant negative impact on our business.

        We maintain an extensive trademark portfolio that we consider to be of significant importance to our business. If the actions we take to establish and protect our trademarks and other proprietary

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rights are not adequate to prevent imitation of our products by others or to prevent others from seeking to block sales of our products as an alleged violation of their trademarks and proprietary rights, it may be necessary for us to initiate or enter into litigation in the future to enforce our trademark rights or to defend ourselves against claimed infringement of the rights of others. Any legal proceedings could result in an adverse determination that could have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

We face risks associated with our defined benefit pension plans.

        We hold investments in equity and debt securities in our defined benefit pension plans. A deterioration in the value of plan assets resulting from the general financial downturn or otherwise, could cause an increase in the amount of contributions we are required to make to the plans. For example, during fiscal 2008, our primary defined benefit pension plans moved from an overfunded to underfunded status driven by decreased plan asset values resulting from the global financial turndown. An obligation to make contributions to pension plans could reduce the cash available for working capital and other corporate uses, and may have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Our financial well-being could be jeopardized by unforeseen changes in our employees' collective bargaining agreements, shifts in union policy or labor disruptions in the food industry.

        As of January 3, 2009, approximately 348 of our 721 employees were covered by collective bargaining agreements. A prolonged work stoppage or strike at any of our facilities with union employees or a significant work disruption from other labor disputes in the food or related industries could have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. We are currently in negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement to replace the existing collective bargaining agreement for our Roseland, New Jersey facility that is scheduled to expire on March 31, 2009. However, we cannot assure you that we will reach a new agreement with the union prior to the expiration date. If prior to the expiration of the Roseland collective bargaining agreement or prior to the expiration of any of our other existing collective bargaining agreements we are unable to reach new agreements without union action or any such new agreements are not on terms satisfactory to us, our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity could be materially and adversely affected.

If we are unable to retain our key management personnel, our growth and future success may be impaired and our results of operations could suffer as a result.

        Our success depends to a significant degree upon the continued contributions of senior management, certain of whom would be difficult to replace. As a result, departure by members of our senior management could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. In addition, we do not maintain key-man life insurance on any of our executive officers.

We are a holding company and we rely on dividends, interest and other payments, advances and transfers of funds from our subsidiaries to meet our obligations.

        We are a holding company, with all of our assets held by our direct and indirect subsidiaries, and we rely on dividends and other payments or distributions from our subsidiaries to meet our debt service obligations and to enable us to pay dividends. The ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other payments or distributions to us depends on their respective operating results and may be restricted by, among other things, the laws of their jurisdiction of organization (which may limit the amount of funds available for the payment of dividends), agreements of those subsidiaries, our credit facility, the terms of our senior notes indenture and the covenants of any future outstanding indebtedness we or our subsidiaries incur.

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Future changes that increase cash taxes payable by us could significantly decrease our future cash flow available to make interest and dividend payments with respect to our securities.

        We are able to amortize goodwill and certain intangible assets within the meaning of Section 197 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. We expect to be able to amortize for tax purposes approximately $31.2 million per year for 2009 through 2011, approximately $29.6 million for fiscal 2012, approximately $28.1 million for fiscal 2013, approximately $23.3 million for fiscal 2014, approximately $22.2 million per year for fiscal 2015 through 2017, approximately $19.6 million for fiscal 2018, approximately $15.2 million per year for fiscal 2019 and 2020, approximately $13.2 million for fiscal 2021, and approximately $2.2 million for fiscal 2022. If there is a change in U.S. federal tax policy that reduces any of these available deductions or results in an increase in our corporate tax rate, our cash taxes payable may increase, which could significantly reduce our future cash and impact our ability to make interest and dividend payments.

A change in the assumptions used to value our goodwill or our indefinite-lived intangible assets could negatively affect our consolidated results of operations and net worth.

        Our total assets include substantial goodwill and other intangible assets (primarily indefinite-lived intangible assets associated with our brands). These assets are tested for impairment at least annually and whenever events or circumstances occur indicating that goodwill or indefinite-lived intangibles might be impaired. The annual goodwill impairment test involves a two-step process. The first step of the impairment test involves comparing the fair value of our company with our company's carrying value, including goodwill. If the carrying value of our company exceeds our fair value, we perform the second step of the impairment test to determine the amount of the impairment loss. The second step of the goodwill impairment test involves comparing the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying value of that goodwill and recognizing a loss for the difference. Calculating our fair value requires significant estimates and assumptions by management. We estimate our fair value by applying third party market value indicators to our EBITDA. We test indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment by comparing their carrying value to their fair value that is determined using a cash flow method and recognize a loss to the extent the carrying value is greater. We completed our annual impairment tests for fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006 with no adjustments to the carrying values of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles. However, materially different, assumptions regarding the future performance of our businesses could result in significant impairment losses. In addition, the recent volatility in our company's stock price and declines in our market capitalization could put pressure on the carrying value of our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles. Management will continue to monitor these assets for impairment in future periods. A determination that all or a portion of our goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets are impaired, although a non-cash charge to operations, could have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

The global financial downturn and the tightening of the credit markets exposes us to additional credit risks from customers and supply risks from suppliers and co-packers.

        As a result of the global financial downturn and the tightening of the credit markets, some of our customers, suppliers and co-packers may have experienced a significant decline in profits and/or reduced liquidity. A significant adverse change in the financial and/or credit position of a customer could require us to assume greater credit risk relating to that customer and could limit our ability to collect receivables. A significant adverse change in the financial and/or credit position of a supplier or co-packer could result in an interruption of supply. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

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Risks Relating to our Securities

Holders of our Class A common stock (including Class A common stock held as part of EISs) may not receive the level of dividends provided for in our dividend policy or any dividends at all.

        Dividend payments are not mandatory or guaranteed and holders of our common stock do not have any legal right to receive, or require us to pay, dividends. Our board of directors may, in its sole discretion, decrease the level of dividends provided for in our dividend policy or entirely discontinue the payment of dividends. For example, beginning with the January 30, 2009 quarterly dividend payment, our board of directors reduced the intended annual dividend rate from $0.848 per share to $0.680 per share. Future dividends with respect to shares of our capital stock, if any, depend on, among other things, our results of operations, cash requirements, financial condition, contractual restrictions (including restrictions in our credit facility, senior notes indenture and senior subordinated notes indenture), business opportunities, provisions of applicable law (including certain provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law) and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant.

        If our cash flows from operating activities were to fall below our minimum expectations (or if our assumptions as to capital expenditures or interest expense were too low or our assumptions as to the sufficiency of our credit facility to finance our working capital needs were to prove incorrect), we may need either to reduce or eliminate dividends or, to the extent permitted under our senior notes indenture, our senior subordinated notes indenture and the terms of our credit facility, fund a portion of our dividends with borrowings or from other sources. If we were to use working capital or permanent borrowings to fund dividends, we would have less cash and/or borrowing capacity available for future dividends and other purposes, which could negatively impact our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and ability to maintain or expand our business.

Our dividend policy may negatively impact our ability to finance capital expenditures, operations or acquisition opportunities.

        Under our dividend policy, a substantial portion of our cash generated by our business in excess of operating needs, interest and principal payments on indebtedness, and capital expenditures sufficient to maintain our properties and assets is in general distributed as regular quarterly cash dividends to the holders of our common stock. As a result, we may not retain a sufficient amount of cash to finance growth opportunities or unanticipated capital expenditure needs or to fund our operations in the event of a significant business downturn. We may have to forego growth opportunities or capital expenditures that would otherwise be necessary or desirable if we do not find alternative sources of financing. If we do not have sufficient cash for these purposes, our financial condition and our business will suffer.

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue without stockholder approval preferred stock and Class B Common Stock that may be senior to our Class A common stock in certain respects.

        Our certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of preferred stock and Class B common stock without stockholder approval and, in the case of preferred stock, upon such terms as the board of directors may determine. The rights of the holders of shares of our common stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of holders of any class or series of preferred stock that may be issued in the future, including any preferential rights that we may grant to the holders of preferred stock. The terms of any preferred stock we issue may place restrictions on the payment of dividends to the holders of our common stock. If we issue preferred stock or Class B common stock that is senior to our Class A common stock in right of dividend payment, and our cash flows from operating activities or surplus are insufficient to support dividend payments to the holders of preferred stock and/or Class B common stock, on the one hand, and to the holders Class A common stock, on the other hand, we may be forced to reduce or eliminate dividends to the holders of our Class A common stock.

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The separate public trading markets for EISs and separately held shares of Class A common stock, and the ability to separate and create EISs, may diminish the value of your investment in EISs or separately held shares of Class A common stock, as the case may be.

        Our EISs and shares of Class A common stock not held in the form of EISs are separately listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange. An EIS holder may separate each EIS into one share of Class A common stock and $7.15 principal amount of senior subordinated notes. Upon the occurrence of certain events (including redemption of the senior subordinated notes or upon maturity of the senior subordinated notes), EISs will automatically separate. Conversely, subject to limitations, a holder of separate shares of Class A common stock and senior subordinated notes can combine such securities to form EISs. Separation and creation of EISs will automatically result in increases and decreases, respectively, in the number of shares of Class A common stock not held in the form of EISs and in the number of EISs.

        We cannot predict what effect separate trading markets in EISs and separately held shares of Class A common stock, or fluctuations in the number of such securities, will have on the value of such securities. If the value of separately held Class A common stock is deemed to be less than the value of the same security underlying an EIS, creation of EISs by combining such separate shares with any then available separate senior subordinated notes may become more attractive. Conversely, if the value of an EIS is deemed to be less than the value of its components, separation of EISs may become more attractive.

        Any reduction in the number of either EISs or separately held shares of Class A common stock would decrease the liquidity for the remaining EISs or separately held shares of Class A common stock, as the case may be, which could further diminish the value of such securities. Furthermore, if the number of either of such securities outstanding falls below the minimum required for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, such securities may be delisted from such exchange.

Future sales or the possibility of future sales of a substantial number of shares of our Class A common stock (separately or as part of EISs) or other securities convertible or exchangeable into Class A common stock may depress the price of our Class A common stock and EISs.

        We may issue shares of our Class A common stock (separately or as part of EISs), or other securities convertible or exchangeable into Class A common stock from time to time in future financings or as consideration for future acquisitions and investments. In the event any such future financing, acquisition or investment is significant, the number of shares of our Class A common stock, EISs or other securities convertible or exchangeable into Class A common stock that we may issue may in turn be significant. In addition, we may grant registration rights covering shares of our Class A common stock, EISs or other securities convertible or exchangeable into Class A common stock, as applicable, issued in connection with any such future financing, acquisitions and investments.

        Future sales or the availability for sale of a substantial number of shares of our Class A common stock (separate or in the form of EISs) or other securities convertible or exchangeable into Class A common stock would dilute our earnings per share and the voting power of each share of Class A common stock outstanding prior to such sale or distribution, could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our securities and could impair our ability to raise capital through future sales of our securities.

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and several other factors could limit another party's ability to acquire us and deprive our investors of the opportunity to obtain a takeover premium for their securities.

        Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain certain provisions that may make it difficult for another company to acquire us and for holders of our securities to receive any related takeover premium for their securities. For example, our certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of

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preferred stock without stockholder approval and upon such terms as the board of directors may determine. The rights of the holders of shares of our common stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of holders of any class or series of preferred stock that may be issued in the future.

Item 1B.    Unresolved Staff Comments.

        None.

Item 2.    Properties.

        Our corporate headquarters are located at Four Gatehall Drive, Suite 110, Parsippany, NJ 07054. Our manufacturing plants are generally located near major customer markets and raw materials. Of our five manufacturing facilities, four are owned and one is leased. Management believes that our manufacturing plants have sufficient capacity to accommodate our planned growth. As of January 3, 2009, we owned or leased the offices, manufacturing and warehouse facilities and distribution centers described in the table below:

Item 3.    Legal Proceedings.

        We are from time to time involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, including proceedings involving product liability claims, worker's compensation and other employee claims, and tort and other general liability claims, as well as trademark, copyright, patent infringement and related claims and legal actions. In the opinion of our management, the ultimate disposition of any currently pending claims or actions will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

        During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, no matters were submitted to a vote of stockholders through solicitation of proxies or otherwise.

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PART II

Item 5.    Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

Market Information

        We have two separate authorized classes of common stock, our Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and our Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of January 3, 2009, there were 36,246,657 shares of Class A common stock issued and outstanding, 17,453,552 of which were held as part of EISs and 18,793,105 of which were held separate from EISs. Each EIS represents one share of Class A common stock and $7.15 principal amount of 12% senior subordinated notes due 2016. The holders of our EISs may separate each EIS into one share of Class A common stock and $7.15 principal amount of senior subordinated notes at any time. Upon the occurrence of certain events (including redemption of the senior subordinated notes or upon maturity of the senior subordinated notes), EISs will automatically separate. Conversely, subject to limitations, a holder of separate shares of Class A common stock and senior subordinated notes can combine such securities to form EISs. Separation and combination of EISs will automatically result in increases and decreases, respectively, in the number of shares of Class A common stock not held in the form of EISs. As of January 3, 2009, there were no shares of Class B common stock issued or outstanding.

        Shares of our Class A common stock held separate from EISs are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "BGS" and have been so traded since May 23, 2007. The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices of shares of our Class A common stock for each of the quarterly periods indicated.

        Our EISs are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "BGF" and have been so traded since June 18, 2007. From October 8, 2004 through June 15, 2007 our EISs traded on the American Stock Exchange. The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices of our EISs for each of the quarterly periods indicated.

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Holders

        According to the records of our transfer agent, we had 13 holders of record of our Class A common stock as of February 28, 2009, including Cede & Co. as nominee for The Depository Trust Company (DTC). As of February 28, 2009, we had one holder of record of the EISs, Cede & Co. as nominee for DTC. Cede & Co. as nominee for DTC holds shares of our Class A common stock and EISs on behalf of participants in the DTC system, which in turn hold the shares of Class A common stock and the EISs on behalf of beneficial owners.

Performance Graphs

        Class A Common Stock.    Set forth below is a line graph comparing the change in the cumulative total shareholder return on our company's separately traded shares of Class A common stock with the cumulative total return of the Russell MicroCap Index and the S&P Packaged Foods & Meats Index for the period from May 23, 2007 (the first day of trading of our separately traded shares of Class A common stock on the New York Stock Exchange) to January 3, 2009, assuming the investment of $100 on May 23, 2007 and the reinvestment of dividends. The separately traded Class A common stock price performance shown on the graph only reflects the change in our company's separately traded Class A common stock price relative to the noted indices and is not necessarily indicative of future price performance.

Comparison of 19 Month Cumulative Total Return
Among B&G Foods, Inc. Class A Common Stock,
the Russell MicroCap Index and the S&P Packaged Foods & Meats Index

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        Enhanced Income Secrities (EISs).    Set forth below is a line graph comparing the change in the cumulative total EIS holder return on our company's EISs with the cumulative total return of the Russell MicroCap Index and the S&P Packaged Foods & Meats Index for the period from October 8, 2004 (the first day of trading of our EISs on the American Stock Exchange) to January 3, 2009, assuming the investment of $100 on October 8, 2004 and the reinvestment of dividends and interest. The EIS price performance shown on the graph only reflects the change in our company's EIS price relative to the noted indices and is not necessarily indicative of future price performance.

Comparison of 51 Month Cumulative Total Return
Among B&G Foods, Inc. Enhanced Income Securities,
the Russell MicroCap Index and the S&P Packaged Foods & Meats Index

Dividend Policy

General

        Our dividend policy reflects a basic judgment that our stockholders would be better served if we distributed a substantial portion of our cash available to pay dividends to them instead of retaining it in our business. Under this policy, a substantial portion of the cash generated by our company in excess of operating needs, interest and principal payments on indebtedness, capital expenditures sufficient to maintain our properties and other assets is in general distributed as regular quarterly cash dividends (up to the intended dividend rate as determined by our board of directors) to the holders of our common stock and not retained by us. From the date of our initial public offering of EISs in October 2004 through the dividend payment we made on October 30, 2008, the dividend rate for our Class A common stock was $0.848 per share per annum. Beginning with the dividend payment previously declared and payable on January 30, 2009, the current intended dividend rate for our Class A common stock is $0.68 per share per annum.

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        For fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007, we had cash flows from operating activities of $40.5 million and $34.0 million, respectively, and distributed $31.2 million and $24.1 million as dividends, respectively. Our board of directors declared quarterly dividends of $0.212 per share of Class A common stock during each of the first three quarters of fiscal 2008 and each quarter of fiscal 2007, and $0.17 per share of Class A common stock during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Since May 2007, we no longer have any shares of Class B common stock issued or outstanding. No dividends were ever declared on our Class B common stock.

        Under U.S. federal income tax law, distributions to holders of our Class A common stock (whether held separately or as part of EISs) are taxable to the extent they are paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits. Generally, the portion of the distribution treated as a return of capital should reduce the tax basis of the holders of our Class A common stock in such stock. Qualifying dividend income and the return of capital, if any, will be allocated on a pro-forma basis to all distributions for each fiscal year. B&G Foods has determined that for U.S. federal income tax purposes all dividends paid in fiscal 2008 would be treated as a return of capital and 91.4% of dividends paid in fiscal 2007 would be treated as a return of capital and the remainder would be treated as a dividend paid from earnings and profits.

        As a result of our dividend policy, we may not retain a sufficient amount of cash to finance growth opportunities or unanticipated capital expenditure needs or to fund our operations in the event of a significant business downturn. We may have to forego growth opportunities or capital expenditures that would otherwise be necessary or desirable if we do not find alternative sources of financing. If we do not have sufficient cash for these purposes, our financial condition and our business will suffer.

        Our dividend policy is based upon our current assessment of our business and the environment in which we operate, and that assessment could change based on competitive or other developments (which could, for example, increase our need for capital expenditures or working capital), new acquisition opportunities or other factors. Our board of directors is free to depart from or change our dividend policy at any time and could do so, for example, if it was to determine that we have insufficient cash to take advantage of growth opportunities.

Restrictions on Dividend Payments

        Our ability to pay future dividends, if any, with respect to shares of our capital stock will depend on, among other things, our results of operations, cash requirements, financial condition, contractual restrictions, provisions of applicable law and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. Under Delaware law, our board of directors may declare dividends only to the extent of our "surplus" (which is defined as total assets at fair market value minus total liabilities, minus statutory capital), or if there is no surplus, out of our net profits for the then current and/or immediately preceding fiscal years. We do not anticipate that we will have sufficient earnings to pay dividends and therefore expect that we will pay dividends out of surplus. Our board of directors will periodically and from time to time assess the appropriateness of the then current dividend policy before actually declaring any dividends.

        Our senior notes indenture and our senior subordinated notes indenture restrict our ability to declare and pay dividends on our common stock as follows:

•

we may use up to 100% of our excess cash (as defined below) for the period (taken as one accounting period) from and including the first fiscal quarter beginning after the date of the indentures to the end of our most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such payment plus certain incremental funds described in the indentures for the payment of dividends so long as the fixed charge coverage ratio for the four most recent fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available is not less than 1.6 to 1.0;

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•

at any time the fixed charge coverage ratio for the four preceding fiscal quarter period is less than 1.6 to 1.0, we may pay dividends on our common stock, in the quarter in which such payment is made, of up to $10.0 million in the aggregate plus certain incremental funds;



•

if our net cash balance is less than $10.0 million at the end of any fiscal year, then we may only use up to 98% of our excess cash pursuant to the first bullet of this paragraph until the earlier of (a) the first fiscal year end thereafter at which our net cash balance (which is the amount of cash and cash equivalents set forth on our consolidated balance sheet as of such period end minus funded indebtedness under any secured revolving credit facility) equals or exceeds $10.0 million or (b) the first fiscal quarter thereafter at which our net cash balance exceeds $12.5 million; and



•

we may not pay any dividends on any dividend payment date if a default or event of default under either indenture has occurred or is continuing.

        Excess cash is defined in our senior subordinated notes indenture, under the terms of our credit facility and in our senior notes indenture. Excess cash is calculated as "consolidated cash flow," as defined in the indentures and under the terms of our credit facility (which, in each case, allows for the add-back of restructuring charges and which is equivalent to the term adjusted EBITDA), minus the sum of cash tax expense, cash interest expense, certain capital expenditures, certain repayment of indebtedness and the cash portion of the restructuring charges. Excess cash is not a substitute for operating income or net income, as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Excess cash is not a complete net cash flow measure because excess cash is a measure of liquidity that does not include reductions for cash payments for an entity's obligation to fund changes in its working capital, acquisitions, if any, and repay its debt and pay its dividends. Rather, excess cash is one potential indicator of our ability to fund these cash requirements in compliance with our debt agreements. Excess cash is also not a complete measure of our profitability because it does not include costs and expenses for depreciation and amortization, transaction related compensation and non-cash restructuring charges. We believe that the most directly comparable GAAP measure to excess cash is net cash provided by operating activities. We believe excess cash is indicative of our ability to declare and pay dividends on our Class A common stock in compliance with the restricted payment covenants under our senior subordinated notes indenture, the terms of our credit facility and our senior notes indenture.

        Excess cash does not represent the amount we intend to distribute as dividends for any quarterly period but rather is a restriction on the maximum level of dividend payments, if any, that we are permitted to declare and pay under the terms of our senior subordinated notes indenture and our senior notes indenture and under and our credit facility.

        In addition, the terms of our credit facility also restrict our ability to declare and pay dividends on our common stock. In accordance with the terms of our credit facility, we are not permitted to declare or pay dividends unless we are permitted to do so under the indentures governing the senior notes and senior subordinated notes. In addition, our credit facility does not permit us to pay dividends unless we maintain:

•

a "consolidated interest coverage ratio" (defined as the ratio of our adjusted EBITDA for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters to our consolidated interest expense for such period payable in cash) of not less than 1.35 to 1.0;



•

a "consolidated senior leverage ratio" (defined as the ratio of our consolidated senior debt, as of the last day of any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters to our adjusted EBITDA for such period) of not more than 5.00 to 1.0; and



•

a "consolidated total leverage ratio" (defined as the ratio of our consolidated total debt of the last day of any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters to our adjusted EBITDA for such period) of not more than 7.00 to 1.0.

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        Furthermore, while interest on our senior notes and senior subordinated notes is fixed and interest on the term loan under our credit facility is effectively fixed (as a result of a swap agreement), those notes and the credit facility will need to be refinanced on or prior to their maturity dates in 2011, 2016, and 2013, respectively, and thereafter our interest expense could be higher and the terms of any new financing may restrict us from paying the level of current intended dividends or any dividends at all. Also, to the extent we finance capital expenditures, working capital or other cash needs with indebtedness under our credit facility or otherwise, we will incur additional cash interest expense and debt service obligations that could reduce our cash available to pay dividends.

        Subject to the limitations described elsewhere in this report, we have the ability to issue additional Class A common stock (separately or as part of EISs), Class B common stock other equity securities or preferred stock for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as are established by our board of directors in its sole discretion and without the approval of the holders of our common stock or EISs. It is possible that we will fund acquisitions, if any, through the issuance of additional common stock, other equity securities, EISs or preferred stock. Holders of any additional common stock, other equity securities or EISs issued by us may be entitled to share equally with the holders of Class A common stock and EISs in dividend distributions. The certificate of designation of any preferred stock issued by us may provide that the holders of preferred stock are senior to the holders of our common stock with respect to the payment of dividends. If we were to issue additional common stock, other equity securities, EISs or preferred stock, it would be necessary for us to generate additional cash available to pay dividends in order for us to distribute dividends at the same rate per share as distributed prior to any such additional issuance.

        Dividends Not Mandatory or Guaranteed.    We cannot assure you that we will continue to pay dividends at the historical level set forth above or at all. Dividend payments are not mandatory or guaranteed, and holders of our common stock do not have any legal right to receive, or require us to pay, dividends. Our board of directors may, in its sole discretion, amend or repeal our dividend policy at any time. Furthermore, our board of directors may decrease the level of dividends below the intended dividend rate set forth above, or discontinue entirely the payment of dividends.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

        We did not issue any unregistered securities in fiscal 2008.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

        The following table sets forth information with respect to shares of our Class A common stock that we purchased during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008:

(a)

On October 27, 2008, our board of directors authorized a stock and debt repurchase program for the repurchase of up to $10.0 million of our Class A common stock and/or senior notes over the next twelve months. Under the authorization, we may purchase shares of Class A common stock and/or senior notes from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC.

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Item 6.    Selected Financial Data.

        The following selected historical consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes to those statements included in this report. The selected historical consolidated financial data as of and for the years ended January 3, 2009 (fiscal 2008), December 29, 2007 (fiscal 2007), December 30, 2006 (fiscal 2006), December 31, 2005 (fiscal 2005) and January 1, 2005 (fiscal 2004) have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. Fiscal 2008 contained 53 weeks and the fiscal years 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004 each contained 52 weeks.

(1)

We completed the acquisition of the Ortega food service dispensing pouch and dipping cup business from Nestlé on December 1, 2005. We completed the Grandma's molasses acquisition from Cadbury Schweppes, on January 10, 2006. We completed the Cream of Wheat acquisition from Kraft effective February 25, 2007. The Ortega dispensing pouch and dipping cup acquisition, the Grandma's molasses acquisition and the Cream of Wheat acquisition have been accounted for using the

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purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and results of operations of the acquired businesses are included in our consolidated financial statements from the respective dates of acquisition. These acquisitions and the application of the purchase method of accounting for these acquisitions affect comparability between periods.

(2)

Cost of goods sold for fiscal 2008 include $0.1 million of the $0.8 million severance and termination charges we incurred in fiscal 2008 relating to a workforce reduction announced in October 2008. Cost of goods sold for fiscal 2005 include a $3.8 million charge related to the closing of our New Iberia, Louisiana, manufacturing facility, which included a cash charge for employee compensation and other costs of $0.8 million and a non-cash charge for the impairment of property, plant, equipment and inventory of $3.0 million.

(3)

General and administrative expenses for fiscal 2008 include $0.7 million of the $0.8 million severance and termination charges we incurred in fiscal 2008 relating to a workforce reduction announced in October 2008. General and administrative expenses for fiscal 2007 include an accrual of $1.9 million relating to a special bonus pool approved by our compensation committee and paid in fiscal 2008 to our executive officers and certain members of senior management to recognize their significant contributions to the successful completion of the Cream of Wheat acquisition and the Class A common stock offering, offset by an insurance reimbursement of $0.8 million relating to a previously reported employee theft.

(4)

Transaction related compensation expenses in fiscal 2004, which were incurred in connection with our 2004 EIS offering and related transactions, include $6.0 million of transaction bonuses and $3.9 million for the repurchase of employee stock options.

(5)

The gain on sale of property, plant and equipment of $0.5 million relates to the sale of our New Iberia, Louisiana, manufacturing facility on July 9, 2006.

(6)

Amortization expense of customer relationships are amortized over their useful lives of 20 years and includes the amortization expense relating to the amortization of customer relationship intangibles acquired in the Grandma's molasses acquisition and Cream of Wheat acquisition. We had no customer relationship intangibles in fiscal 2005 or 2004.

(7)

Fiscal 2008 net interest expense includes a $5.6 million charge relating to the unrealized loss on our interest rate swap subsequent to our determination that the swap was no longer an effective hedge under the guidelines of SFAS No. 133, due to Lehman's bankruptcy filing in September 2008 and a reclassification of $0.5 million of the amount recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to the swap. Fiscal 2004 net interest expense includes $13.9 million of costs relating to the early extinguishment of debt incurred in connection with our 2004 EIS offering, the concurrent offerings and the related transactions. Included in these costs are: $8.4 million for the write-off of deferred debt issuance costs, $4.9 million for bond tender costs and $0.6 million for the payment of bond discount.

(8)

EBITDA was negatively impacted by $0.8 million in fiscal 2008 as a result of severance and termination charges incurred in connection with a workforce reduction, $3.8 million in fiscal 2005 in connection with restructuring charges and $9.9 million in fiscal 2004 for transaction related compensation expenses incurred in connection with our initial public offering, the concurrent offerings and the related transactions.

EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure used by management to measure operating performance. A non-GAAP financial measure is defined as a numerical measure of our financial performance that excludes or includes amounts so as to be different than the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in our consolidated balance sheets and related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders' equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows. EBITDA is defined as net income before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Management believes that it is useful to eliminate net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization because it allows management to focus on what it deems to be a more reliable indicator of ongoing operating performance and our ability to generate cash flow from operations. We use EBITDA in our business operations, among other things, to evaluate our operating performance, develop budgets and measure our performance against those budgets, determine employee bonuses and evaluate our cash flows in terms of cash needs. We also present EBITDA because we believe it is a useful indicator of our historical debt capacity and ability to service debt and because covenants in our credit facility, our senior notes indenture and our senior subordinated notes indenture contain ratios based on this measure. As a result, internal management reports used during monthly operating reviews feature the EBITDA metric. However, management uses this metric in conjunction with traditional GAAP operating performance and liquidity measures as part of its overall assessment of company performance and liquidity and therefore does not place undue reliance on this measure as its only measure of operating performance and liquidity.

EBITDA is not a recognized term under GAAP and does not purport to be an alternative to operating income or net income as an indicator of operating performance or any other GAAP measure. EBITDA is not a complete net cash flow measure because EBITDA is a measure of liquidity that does not include reductions for cash payments for an entity's obligation to service its debt, fund its working capital, capital expenditures and acquisitions and pay its income taxes and dividends. Rather, EBITDA is a potential indicator of an entity's ability to fund these cash requirements. EBITDA is not a complete measure of an entity's profitability because it does not include costs and expenses for depreciation and amortization, interest and related expenses and income taxes. Because not all companies use identical calculations, this presentation of EBITDA may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. However, EBITDA can still be useful in evaluating our performance against our peer companies because management believes this measure provides users with valuable insight into key components of GAAP amounts.

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A reconciliation of EBITDA to net income and to net cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004 along with the components of EBITDA follows:

(A)

Net interest expense in fiscal 2008 includes $5.6 million relating to the unrealized loss on our interest rate swap subsequent to our determination that the swap was no longer an effective hedge under the guidelines of SFAS No. 133, due to Lehman's bankruptcy filing in September 2008 and a reclassification of $0.5 million of the amount recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to the swap. Net interest expense in fiscal 2004 includes $13.9 million of costs relating to the early extinguishment of debt incurred in connection with our 2004 EIS offering, the concurrent offerings and the related transactions. Included in these costs are: $8.4 million for the write-off of deferred debt issuance costs, $4.9 million for bond tender costs and $0.6 million for the payment of bond discount.



(B)

On July 1, 2005, we closed our New Iberia, Louisiana, manufacturing facility as part of our ongoing efforts to improve our production capacity utilization, productivity, and operating efficiencies and lower our overall costs. In the fifty-two weeks ended December 31, 2005, we recorded a charge of $3.8 million. The charge associated with the plant closing included a cash charge for employee compensation and other costs of $0.8 million and a non-cash charge for the impairment of property, plant, equipment and inventory of $3.0 million. We sold the New Iberia, Louisiana, manufacturing facility on July 9, 2006 and recognized a gain of $0.5 million on the sale.

(9)

We have calculated the ratio of earnings to fixed charges by dividing earnings by fixed charges. For the purpose of this computation, earnings consist of income before income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of the sum of interest on indebtedness, amortized expenses related to indebtedness, reclassification to net interest expense of a portion of the amount recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to our interest rate swap and an interest component of lease rental expense. Fixed charges excluded the unrealized loss on our interest rate swap.

(10)

Senior debt, as defined in the indenture governing our senior subordinated notes, is equal to all of our outstanding debt excluding our senior subordinated notes.

(11)

Cash interest expense, calculated below, is equal to net interest expense less amortization of deferred financing and bond discount, unrealized loss on our interest rate swap, reclassification to net interest expense of a portion of the amount

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recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to our interest rate swap and early extinguishment of debt costs.

(12)

Net working capital is current assets excluding cash and cash equivalents minus current liabilities.

(13)

We adopted SFAS No. 158, "Employer's Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an Amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132R" (SFAS No. 158) effective December 30, 2006. For fiscal 2006, the adoption of SFAS No. 158 resulted in the recognition of an incremental $2.6 million of additional pension obligations, an increase in deferred tax assets of $1.0 million and a decrease to stockholders' equity of $1.6 million, with no impact to our statements of operations or cash flows. See "Recent Accounting Pronouncements" in Item 7 below.

(14)

We adopted SAB No. 108, "Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements" (SAB No. 108) effective January 1, 2006. The adoption of SAB No. 108 allowed a one-time transitional cumulative effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings as of January 1, 2006 for errors that were not previously deemed material, but are material under the guidance in SAB No. 108. In accordance with SAB No. 108, we have adjusted our opening accumulated deficit for fiscal 2006 in the amount of $0.6 million to re-establish certain deferred tax liabilities that were reversed prior to fiscal 2001. See "Recent Accounting Pronouncements" in Item 7 below.

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Item 7.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation.

        The following Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including those set forth under Item 1A, "Risk Factors" and under the heading "Forward-Looking Statements" below and elsewhere in this report. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report.

General

        We manufacture, sell and distribute a diverse portfolio of branded, high quality, shelf-stable food products, many of which have leading regional or national market shares. In general, we position our branded products to appeal to the consumer desiring a high quality and reasonably priced product. We complement our branded product retail sales with growing institutional and food service sales and limited private label sales.

        Our goal is to continue to increase sales, profitability and cash flows by enhancing our existing portfolio of branded shelf stable products and by capitalizing on our competitive strengths. We intend to implement our growth strategy through the following initiatives: expanding our brand portfolio with acquisitions of complementary branded businesses, continuing to develop innovative new products and delivering them to market quickly, leveraging our unique multiple channel sales and distribution system and continuing to focus on higher growth customers and distribution channels.

        Since 1996, we have successfully acquired and integrated 18 separate brands into our operations. We completed the acquisition of the Grandma's molasses business from Motts LLP, a Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages Company, on January 10, 2006, which we refer to in this report as the Grandma's molasses acquisition. We completed the acquisition of the Cream of Wheat and Cream of Rice brands from Kraft Foods Global, Inc., effective February 25, 2007, which we refer to in this report as the "Cream of Wheat acquisition." The Grandma's molasses acquisition and the Cream of Wheat acquisition have been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, the assets acquired and results of operations of the acquired businesses are included in our consolidated financial statements from the respective dates of acquisition. These acquisitions and the application of the purchase method of accounting for these acquisitions affect comparability between periods.

        We are subject to a number of challenges that may adversely affect our businesses. These challenges, which are discussed above under Item 1A, "Risk Factors" and below under the heading "Forward-Looking Statements" include:

        Fluctuations in Commodity Prices and Production and Distribution Costs:    We purchase raw materials, including agricultural products, meat, poultry, other raw materials, ingredients and packaging materials from growers, commodity processors, other food companies and packaging manufacturers. Raw materials, ingredients and packaging materials are subject to fluctuations in price attributable to a number of factors. Fluctuations in commodity prices can lead to retail price volatility and intensive price competition, and can influence consumer and trade buying patterns. In fiscal 2008, our commodity prices for wheat, maple syrup, beans and corn sweeteners were higher than those incurred during fiscal 2007.

        In 2008, maple syrup production in Canada, which represents the great majority of global production, was significantly below industry needs due to poor crop yields and growing global demand. As a result, the price we paid for maple syrup in 2008 increased significantly and we have experienced a shortfall in supply as compared to our needs, which has and will continue to negatively impact our sales volume of maple syrup products through at least the first quarter of fiscal 2009.

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        In addition, the cost of labor, manufacturing, energy, fuel, packaging materials and other costs related to the production and distribution of our food products have risen significantly in recent years We attempt to manage these risks by entering into short-term supply contracts and advance commodities purchase agreements from time to time, implementing cost saving measures and by raising sales prices. To date, our cost saving measures and sales price increases have not fully offset increases to our raw material, ingredient, packaging and distribution costs and as a result our operating results have been negatively impacted. To the extent we are unable to offset present and future cost increases, our operating results will continue to be negatively impacted.

        Consolidation in the Retail Trade and Consequent Inventory Reductions:    As the retail grocery trade continues to consolidate and our retail customers grow larger and become more sophisticated, our retail customers may demand lower pricing and increased promotional programs. These customers are also reducing their inventories and increasing their emphasis on private label products.

        Changing Customer Preferences: Consumers in the market categories in which we compete frequently change their taste preferences, dietary habits and product packaging preferences.

        Consumer Concern Regarding Food Safety, Quality and Health: The food industry is subject to consumer concerns regarding the safety and quality of certain food products.

        Fluctuations in Currency Exchange Rates:    We purchase the majority of our maple syrup requirements from suppliers located in Québec, Canada. Any weakening of the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar, could significantly increase our costs relating to the production of our maple syrup products.

        To confront these challenges, we continue to take steps to build the value of our brands, to improve our existing portfolio of products with new product and marketing initiatives, to reduce costs through improved productivity, to address consumer concerns about food safety, quality and health and to favorably manage currency fluctuations.

Critical Accounting Policies; Use of Estimates

        The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires our management to make a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Some of the more significant estimates and assumptions made by management involve trade and consumer promotion expenses; allowances for excess, obsolete and unsaleable inventories; pension benefits; purchase accounting allocations; the recoverability of goodwill, trademarks, customer relationship intangibles, property, plant and equipment and deferred tax assets; the accounting for our EISs; and the accounting for earnings per share. Actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions.

        Our significant accounting policies are described more fully in note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report. We believe the following critical accounting policies involve the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Trade and Consumer Promotion Expenses

        We offer various sales incentive programs to customers and consumers, such as price discounts, in-store display incentives, slotting fees and coupons. The recognition of expense for these programs involves the use of judgment related to performance and redemption estimates. Estimates are made based on historical experience and other factors. Actual expenses may differ if the level of redemption rates and performance vary from our estimates.

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Inventories

        Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first in, first out and average cost methods. Inventories have been reduced by an allowance for excess, obsolete and unsaleable inventories. The allowance is an estimate based on our management's review of inventories on hand compared to estimated future usage and sales.

Long-Lived Assets

        Long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment, and intangibles with estimated useful lives are depreciated or amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Recoverability of assets held for sale is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset or asset group to their fair value less estimated cost to sell. Estimating future cash flows and calculating fair value of assets requires significant estimates and assumptions by management.

Goodwill and Trademarks

        Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives (trademarks) are tested for impairment at least annually and whenever events or circumstances occur indicating that goodwill or indefinite-lived intangibles might be impaired.

        We perform the annual impairment tests as of the last day of each fiscal year. The annual goodwill impairment test involves a two-step process. The first step of the impairment test involves comparing the fair value of our company with our company's carrying value, including goodwill. If the carrying value of our company exceeds our fair value, we perform the second step of the impairment test to determine the amount of the impairment loss. The second step of the goodwill impairment test involves comparing the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying value of that goodwill and recognizing a loss for the difference. Calculating our fair value requires significant estimates and assumptions by management. We estimate our fair value by applying third party market value indicators to our EBITDA. We test indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment by comparing their carrying value to their fair value that is determined using a cash flow method and recognize a loss to the extent the carrying value is greater.

        We completed our annual impairment tests for fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006 with no adjustments to the carrying values of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles. However, materially different, assumptions regarding the future performance of our business could result in significant impairment losses. In addition, the recent volatility in our company's stock price and declines in our market capitalization could put pressure on the carrying value of our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles. Management will continue to monitor these assets for impairment in future periods. A determination that all or a portion of our goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets are impaired, although a non-cash charge to operations, could have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition and consolidated results of operations.

Accounting Treatment for EISs.

        Our EISs include Class A common stock and senior subordinated notes. Upon completion of our 2004 EIS offering (including the exercise of the over-allotment option), we allocated the proceeds from the issuance of the EISs, based upon relative fair value at the issuance date, to the Class A common

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stock and the senior subordinated notes. We have assumed that the price paid in the EIS offering was equivalent to the combined fair value of the Class A common stock and the senior subordinated notes, and the price paid in the offering for the senior subordinated notes sold separately (not in the form of EISs) was equivalent to their initial stated principal amount. We have concluded there are no embedded derivative features related to the EIS that require bifurcation under FASB Statement No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," as amended (SFAS No. 133). We have determined the fair value of the Class A common stock and the senior subordinated notes with reference to a number of factors, including the sale of the senior subordinated notes sold separately from the EISs that have the same terms as the senior subordinated notes included in the EISs. Therefore, we have allocated the entire proceeds of the EIS offering to the Class A common stock and the senior subordinated notes, and the allocation of the EIS proceeds to the senior subordinated notes did not result in a premium or discount.

        We have concluded that the call option and the change in control put option in the senior subordinated notes do not warrant separate accounting under SFAS No. 133 because they are clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the host debt instrument. Therefore, we have allocated the entire proceeds of the offering to the Class A common stock and the senior subordinated notes. Upon subsequent issuances, if any, of senior subordinated notes, we will evaluate whether the call option and the change in control put option in the senior subordinated notes require separate accounting under SFAS No. 133. We expect that if there is a substantial discount or premium upon a subsequent issuance of senior subordinated notes, we may need to separately account for the call option and the change in control put option features as embedded derivatives for such subsequent issuance. If we determine that the embedded derivatives, if any, require separate accounting from the debt host contract under SFAS No. 133, the call option and the change in control put option associated with the senior subordinated notes will be recorded as derivative liabilities at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded as other non-operating income or expense. Any discount on the senior subordinated notes resulting from the allocation of proceeds to an embedded derivative will be amortized to interest expense over the remaining life of the senior subordinated notes.

        The Class A common stock portion of each EIS is included in stockholders' equity, net of the related portion of the EIS transaction costs allocated to Class A common stock. Dividends paid on our Class A common stock portion of each EIS have historically been recorded as a decrease to additional paid-in capital when declared by us. The senior subordinated note portion of each EIS is included in long-term debt, and the related portion of the EIS transaction costs allocated to the senior subordinated notes was capitalized as deferred debt issuance costs and is being amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method. Interest on the senior subordinated notes is charged to interest expense as accrued by us and deducted for income tax purposes.

Income Tax Expense Estimates and Policies

        As part of the income tax provision process of preparing our consolidated financial statements, we are required to estimate our income taxes. This process involves estimating our current tax expenses together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities. We then assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and to the extent we believe the recovery is not likely, we establish a valuation allowance. Further, to the extent that we establish a valuation allowance or increase this allowance in a financial accounting period, we include such charge in our tax provision, or reduce our tax benefits in our consolidated statement of operations. We use our judgment to determine our provision or benefit for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowance recorded against our net deferred tax assets.

        There are various factors that may cause these tax assumptions to change in the near term, and we may have to record a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets. We cannot predict whether

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future U.S. federal and state income tax laws and regulations might be passed that could have a material effect on our results of operations. We assess the impact of significant changes to the U.S. federal and state income tax laws and regulations on a regular basis and update the assumptions and estimates used to prepare our consolidated financial statements when new regulations and legislation are enacted. We recognize the benefit of an uncertain tax position that we have taken or expect to take on the income tax returns we file if it is more likely than not that such tax position will be sustained based upon its technical merits.

Earnings Per Share

        We currently have one class of common stock issued and outstanding, designated as Class A common stock. Prior to May 29, 2007, we had two classes of common stock issued and outstanding, designated as Class A common stock and Class B common stock. For periods in which we had shares of both Class A and Class B common stock issued and outstanding, we present earnings per share using the two-class method. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each class of common stock according to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings or losses.

        Net income is allocated between the two classes of common stock based upon the two-class method. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the Class A common stock and Class B common stock is calculated by dividing allocated net income by the weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock outstanding.

Pension Expense

        We have defined benefit pension plans covering substantially all of our employees. Our funding policy is to contribute annually the amount recommended by our actuaries. The funded status of our pension plans is dependent upon many factors, including returns on invested assets and the level of certain market interest rates. We review pension assumptions regularly and we may from time to time make voluntary contributions to our pension plans, which exceed the amounts required by statute. During fiscal 2008, we made total pension contributions to our pension plans of $2.5 million compared with $3.7 million in fiscal 2007. Changes in interest rates and the market value of the securities held by the plans could materially change, positively or negatively, the underfunded status of the plans and affect the level of pension expense and required contributions in fiscal 2009 and beyond.

        Our discount rate assumption decreased from 6.50% for each of our three defined benefit pension plans at December 29, 2007 to 6.00%, 6.10% and 6.10%, respectively, at January 3, 2009. We currently anticipate that assumption changes, coupled with the amortization of deferred losses will result in an increase in fiscal 2009 pre-tax pension expense of approximately $1.6 million. While we do not presently anticipate a change in our fiscal 2009 assumptions, as a sensitivity measure, a 0.25% decline or increase in our discount rate would increase or decrease our pension expense by approximately $0.2 million. Similarly, a 0.25% decrease or increase in the expected return on pension plan assets would increase or decrease our pension expense by approximately $0.1 million. For fiscal 2009, our funding requirement and expected company contribution is $1.2 million.

        In August 2006, the Pension Protection Act of 2006 was signed into law. The major provisions of the statute took effect on January 1, 2008. Among other things, the statute is designed to ensure timely and adequate funding of qualified pension plans by shortening the time period within which employers must fully fund pension benefits. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 is not expected to have a significant impact on our future pension funding requirements.

        The adoption of SFAS No. 158 as of December 30, 2006 required us to record an incremental after-tax charge of $1.6 million for fiscal 2006, in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the unrecognized net actuarial losses and unrecognized prior service costs.

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Acquisition Accounting

        We account for acquired businesses using the purchase method of accounting, which requires that the assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recorded at the date of acquisition at their respective fair values. Our consolidated financial statements and results of operations reflect an acquired business after the completion of the acquisition. The cost to acquire a business, including transaction costs, is allocated to the underlying net assets of the acquired business in proportion to their respective fair values. Any excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill.

        The judgments made in determining the estimated fair value assigned to each class of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as well as asset lives, can materially impact our results of operations. Accordingly, for significant items, we typically obtain assistance from third party valuation specialists.

        Determining the useful life of an intangible asset also requires judgment as different types of intangible assets will have different useful lives and certain assets may even be considered to have indefinite useful lives.

        All of these judgments and estimates can materially impact our results of operations.

Results of Operations

        The following table sets forth the percentages of net sales represented by selected items reflected in our consolidated statements of operations. The comparisons of financial results are not necessarily indicative of future results:

        As used in this section the terms listed below have the following meanings:

        Net Sales.    Our net sales represents gross sales of products shipped to customers plus amounts charged customers for shipping and handling, less cash discounts, coupon redemptions, slotting fees and trade promotional spending.

        Gross Profit.    Our gross profit is equal to our net sales less cost of goods sold. The primary components of our cost of goods sold are cost of internally manufactured products, purchases of finished goods from co-packers plus freight costs to our distribution centers and to our customers. For fiscal 2008, cost of goods sold includes a small portion of the severance and termination charges we incurred in connection with a workforce reduction implemented in October 2008.

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        Sales, Marketing and Distribution Expenses.    Our sales, marketing and distribution expenses include costs for marketing personnel, consumer advertising programs, internal sales forces, brokerage costs and warehouse facilities.

        General and Administrative Expenses.    Our general and administrative expenses include administrative employee compensation and benefit costs, as well as information technology infrastructure and communication costs, office rent and supplies, professional services, management fees and other general corporate expenses. For fiscal 2008, general and administrative expenses include severance and termination charges related to a workforce reduction implemented in October 2008. For fiscal 2007, general and administrative expenses are net of insurance proceeds relating to a previously reported employee theft.

        Gain on Sale of Property, Plant and Equipment.    Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment includes any gain or loss on the sale of property, plant and equipment.

        Amortization Expense—Customer Relationships.    Amortization expense—customer relationships includes the amortization expense associated with customer relationship intangibles, which are amortized over their useful lives of 20 years.

        Net Interest Expense.    Net interest expense includes interest relating to our outstanding indebtedness and amortization of deferred debt issuance costs, net of interest income and subsequent to our determination in September 2008, that our interest rate swap is no longer an effective hedge as defined by SFAS No. 133, unrealized losses on the interest rate swap and the reclassification of amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to the swap.

Fiscal 2008 Compared to Fiscal 2007

        Our fiscal 2008 included fifty-three weeks of operating results compared with fifty-two weeks in fiscal 2007.

        Net Sales.    Net sales increased $15.6 million or 3.3% to $486.9 million for fiscal 2008 from $471.3 million for fiscal 2007. During fiscal 2008, net sales were negatively impacted by the poor maple syrup crop in Canada that led to a global shortfall of pure maple syrup. Net sales of our Maple Grove Farms pure maple syrup products decreased by $2.5 million, consisting of a unit volume decline of $8.2 million, partially offset by sales price increases $5.7 million. Net sales in fiscal 2008 were also negatively impacted by $0.8 million due to the termination of a temporary co-packing arrangement. Excluding the impact of these two events, net sales for fiscal 2008 increased $18.9 million or 4.3%. Of this $18.9 million increase, $8.6 million was attributable to sales price increases, $1.3 million was attributable to an increase in unit volume and $9.0 was attributable to an extra two months of Cream of Wheat sales in fiscal 2008.

        Net sales of our lines of Ortega, Las Palmas, B&G, Maple Grove Farms (excluding pure maple syrup), Joan of Arc, Polaner, Grandma's, B&M and Vermont Maid products increased by $6.9 million, $1.8 million, $1.0 million, $0.8 million, $0.8 million, $0.7 million, $0.7 million, $0.5 million and $0.4 million or 7.1%, 7.2%, 2.7%, 2.1%, 7.3%, 1.8%, 6.4%, 2.3% and 16.2%, respectively. These increases were offset by a reduction in net sales of Underwood, Emeril's, Regina and Ac'cent products of $1.0 million, $0.8 million, $0.8 million and $0.4 million or 4.6%, 4.3%, 7.3% and 2.2%, respectively, and a reduction in net sales of our private label pickles and peppers of $0.7 million or 14.5%. In the aggregate, net sales for all other brands remained constant. On a full year pro forma basis net sales of Cream of Wheat decreased $2.4 million or 3.7%.

        Gross Profit.    Gross profit decreased $14.1 million or 9.5% to $133.9 million in fiscal 2008 from $148.0 million in fiscal 2007. Gross profit expressed as a percentage of net sales decreased 3.9 percentage points to 27.5% in fiscal 2008 from 31.4% in fiscal 2007. The decrease in gross profit

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expressed as a percentage of net sales was primarily attributable to increased costs of maple syrup, packaging, wheat, transportation, beans, corn and sweeteners, partially offset by $14.3 million in sales price increases.

        Sales, Marketing and Distribution Expenses.    Sales, marketing and distribution expenses decreased $6.8 million or 13.2% to $44.9 million for fiscal 2008 from $51.7 million for fiscal 2007. This decrease is primarily due to a decrease in consumer marketing of $3.8 million, compensation and bonus expenses of $2.1 million, brokerage expenses of $0.6 million and general selling expenses of $0.3 million. Expressed as a percentage of net sales, our sales, marketing and distribution expenses decreased 1.8 percentage points to 9.2% in fiscal 2008 from 11.0% in fiscal 2007.

        General and Administrative Expenses.    General and administrative expenses decreased $1.0 million or 10.1% to $8.7 million in fiscal 2008 from $9.7 million in fiscal 2007. Excluding the impact of the $0.8 million insurance reimbursement received in the second quarter of 2007 (which was recorded as an offset to general and administrative expense), general and administrative expenses decreased by $1.8 million in fiscal 2008 as compared to fiscal 2007. This decrease was primarily the result of a decrease in compensation expense (including incentive plan accruals) of $2.7 million and a decrease in other expenses of $0.3 million of other expenses, partially offset by severance and termination expenses of $0.7 million and an increase in professional fees of $0.5 million.

        Amortization Expense—Customer Relationships.    Amortization expense—customer relationships increased $1.0 million to $6.5 million in fiscal 2008 from $5.5 million in fiscal 2007. This increase is attributable to the Cream of Wheat acquisition, which was completed during the first quarter of 2007.

        Operating Income.    As a result of the foregoing, operating income decreased $7.3 million or 9.0% to $73.9 million in fiscal 2008 from $81.2 million in fiscal 2007. Operating income expressed as a percentage of net sales decreased to 15.2% in fiscal 2008 from 17.2% in fiscal 2007.

        Net Interest Expense.    Net interest expense increased $5.4 million to $58.1 million in fiscal 2008 from $52.7 million in fiscal 2007. Net interest expense in fiscal 2008 includes a $5.6 million charge relating to the unrealized loss on our interest rate swap subsequent to our determination that the swap was no longer an effective hedge under the guidelines of SFAS No. 133, due to Lehman's bankruptcy filing in September 2008 and a reclassification of $0.5 million of the amount recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to the swap. Net interest expense in fiscal 2008 also includes a reduction in interest income primarily due to lower interest rates and capitalized interest on qualifying assets. Interest expense for fiscal 2007 included a write-off of deferred financing costs of $1.8 million relating to our prepayment of $100.0 million of term loan borrowings with a portion of the proceeds of our public offering of Class A common stock in May 2007. See "—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Debt" below.

        Income Tax Expense.    Income tax expense decreased $4.5 million to $6.1 million in fiscal 2008 from $10.6 million in fiscal 2007. Our effective tax rate for fiscal 2008 was 38.5% as compared with 37.4% for fiscal 2007. Our effective tax rate for fiscal 2008 primarily includes an increase of 0.6% relating to permanent differences.

Fiscal 2007 Compared to Fiscal 2006

        Net Sales.    Net sales increased $60.0 million or 14.6% to $471.3 million for fiscal 2007 from $411.3 million for fiscal 2006. The Cream of Wheat acquisition accounted for $54.2 million of the net sales increase offset by a decrease in net sales of $3.0 million relating to the termination of a temporary co-packing arrangement. The remaining $8.8 million net sales increase related to increases in sales price and unit volume. Net sales of our Maple Grove Farms, Grandma's, Las Palmas, Ortega, Joan of Arc and Brer products increased by $9.3 million, $1.1 million, $1.0 million, $1.0 million, $0.5 million

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and $0.3 million, or 15.7%, 11.1%, 4.2%, 1.0%, 4.6% and 10.7%, respectively. These increases were offset by a reduction in net sales of Emeril's, B&G, Regina and Underwood products of $1.8 million, $1.6 million, $0.8 million and $0.6 million or 8.3%, 3.8%, 6.9% and 2.6%, respectively. In the aggregate, net sales for all other brands increased $0.4 million or 0.5%.

        Gross Profit.    Gross profit increased $33.7 million or 29.6% to $148.0 million in fiscal 2007 from $114.3 million in fiscal 2006. Gross profit expressed as a percentage of net sales increased 3.6 percentage points to 31.4% in fiscal 2007 from 27.8% in fiscal 2006. The increase in gross profit expressed as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to the positive effect of the Cream of Wheat acquisition, which improved our overall gross profit expressed as a percentage of net sales by 4.2 percentage points. Our gross profit expressed as a percentage of net sales for all other brands in the aggregate decreased by 0.6 percentage points primarily due to the higher costs for packaging, corn sweeteners, beans and maple syrup partially offset by sales price increases.

        Sales, Marketing and Distribution Expenses.    Sales, marketing and distribution expenses increased $6.4 million or 14.0% to $51.7 million for fiscal 2007 from $45.3 million for fiscal 2006. This increase is primarily due to an increase in brokerage and salesmen compensation of $3.2 million (relating to increased sales volume from the Cream of Wheat acquisition and internal sales growth) and an increase in consumer marketing of $2.7 million. Expressed as a percentage of net sales, our sales, marketing and distribution expenses remained constant at 11.0% in fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006.

        General and Administrative Expenses.    General and administrative expenses increased $2.0 million or 25.9% to $9.7 million in fiscal 2007 from $7.7 million in fiscal 2006. The increase in general and administrative expenses primarily resulted from an increased accrual for incentive compensation of $2.8 million, which includes an accrual of $1.9 million for special bonus awards paid in March 2008 to certain executive officers and members of our senior management in recognition of their contributions to the successful completion of the Cream of Wheat acquisition and the Class A common stock offering, offset by an insurance reimbursement of $0.8 million relating to a previously reported employee theft.

        Gain on Sale of Property, Plant and Equipment.    Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment in fiscal 2006 related to the gain on the sale of our New Iberia facility of $0.5 million. There were no gains or losses on the sale of property, plant and equipment in fiscal 2007.

        Amortization Expense—Customer Relationships.    Amortization expense—customer relationships, all of which relates to the amortization of customer relationship intangibles acquired in the Grandma's molasses and Cream of Wheat acquisitions, increased $4.8 million to $5.5 million for fiscal 2007 from $0.7 million in fiscal 2006. The increase is due to the Cream of Wheat acquisition in fiscal 2007.

        Operating Income.    As a result of the foregoing, operating income increased $20.2 million or 33.0% to $81.2 million in fiscal 2007 from $61.0 million in fiscal 2006. Operating income expressed as a percentage of net sales increased to 17.2% in fiscal 2007 from 14.8% in fiscal 2006.

        Net Interest Expense.    Net interest expense increased $9.2 million to $52.7 million in fiscal 2007 from $43.5 million in fiscal 2006 due to increased term loan borrowings used to finance the Cream of Wheat acquisition. Interest expense for fiscal 2007 included a write-off of deferred debt issuance costs of $1.8 million relating to our prepayment of $100.0 million of term loan borrowings with a portion of the proceeds of our public offering of Class A common stock in May 2007. Our average debt outstanding was approximately $112.5 million higher in fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006. See "—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Debt" below.

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        Income Tax Expense.    Income tax expense increased $4.6 million to $10.6 million in fiscal 2007 from $6.0 million in fiscal 2006. Our effective tax rate for fiscal 2007 was 37.4% as compared with 34.0% for fiscal 2006. Our effective tax rate for fiscal 2006 included a reduction in the state effective tax rate used to measure our deferred tax liabilities of $1.0 million relating to the changes in state income apportionment factors, which had a favorable impact on our fiscal 2006 income tax expense.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

        Our primary liquidity requirements include debt service, capital expenditures and working capital needs. See also, "Commitments and Contractual Obligations" below. We fund our liquidity requirements, as well as our dividend payments and financing for acquisitions, primarily through cash generated from operations and to the extent necessary, through borrowings under our credit facility.

Cash Flows

        Cash provided by operating activities increased $6.5 million to $40.5 million in fiscal 2008 from $34.0 million in fiscal 2007. The decrease of $8.1 million in net income was partially offset by an increase in adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities, which in 2008 include an unrealized loss on our interest rate swap and charges relating to share-based compensation expense. Additionally, net changes in assets and liabilities had a positive effect. Changes in accounts receivable and inventory were more than offset by changes in accounts payable and accrued expenses. Accounts receivable decreased at year end due to a higher proportion of our fourth quarter sales occurring earlier in the fourth quarter than in prior years. Working capital at January 3, 2009 was $114.4 million, a decrease of $0.7 million from working capital at December 29, 2007 of $115.1 million.

        Net cash used in investing activities for fiscal 2008 was $10.6 million as compared to $214.8 million for fiscal 2007. Investment expenditures for fiscal 2007 included $200.5 million for the Cream of Wheat acquisition. Capital expenditures during fiscal 2008 decreased $3.6 million from $14.2 million during fiscal 2007 to $10.6 million. During fiscal 2008, we incurred capital expenditures of $8.1 million in connection with the completion of a capital project initiated in 2007 to expand our Stoughton, Wisconsin manufacturing facility and to move certain manufacturing equipment from Kraft's Cobourg, Canada facility (which had been producing a portion of the Cream of Wheat products) into our Stoughton facility. During fiscal 2007, we incurred capital expenditures of $4.9 million related to the Stoughton expansion and transfer and $4.8 million for the relocation of our Underwood manufacturing from a third-party co-packer to our Portland, Maine facility. The remaining capital spending in fiscal 2008 and 2007 included building improvements, purchases of manufacturing and computer equipment and capitalized interest. We expect to make capital expenditures of up to $11.0 million in fiscal 2009.