B&G Foods, Inc. - Annual Report: 2010 (Form 10-K)

Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2010

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 whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes o    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. o

          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 July 2, 2009, the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $280,108,547.36. 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 $7.96 per share closing price on July 2, 2009 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, 2010, the registrant had 47,367,292 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share issued and outstanding, all of which were held as Class A common stock. As of February 28, 2010, the registrant had no shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, issued or outstanding. Each EIS represented one share of Class A common stock and $7.15 principal amount of senior subordinated notes due 2016. On October 30, 2009, all EISs separated into their component shares of Class A common stock and senior subordinated notes. As a result, the registrant no longer has any EISs outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

          Selected designated portions of the registrant's definitive proxy statement to be filed on or before May 3, 2010 in connection with the registrant's 2010 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 2, 2010

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 December 31, 2005, December 30, 2006, December 29, 2007, January 3, 2009 and January 2, 2010 as "fiscal 2005," "fiscal 2006," "fiscal 2007," "fiscal 2008,"and "fiscal 2009" 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 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 120 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, B&G Foods, Inc., then 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 whole grain corn taco shells and Ortega reduced sodium taco seasoning.

        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 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. Since acquiring Cream of Wheat in 2007, we have introduced a whole grain version of original Cream of Wheat, which provides consumers with a good source of fiber. Most recently during 2009, we introduced a "Healthy Grain" version of instant Cream of Wheat, which provides consumers with an excellent source of fiber and a good source of protein.

        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; we recently modified these products to include fiber.

        The Bloch & Guggenheimer (B&G) 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 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 and remains one of the very few authentic 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, white-meat turkey, roast beef and liverwurst.

        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 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 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.

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

        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 recent 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 alternate 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 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 50.5% of our net sales and 52.7% of our receivables for fiscal 2009. Other than Wal-Mart, which accounted for 16.0% of our fiscal 2009 net sales, no single customer accounted for 10.0% or more of our fiscal 2009 net sales. Other than Wal-Mart and C&S Wholesale Grocery, which accounted for 12.5% and 11.1% of our fiscal 2009 receivables, respectively, no single customer accounted for more than 10.0% of our receivables as of fiscal 2009. 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 August. 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

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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 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. Smucker's® 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 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, ingredients 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, 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 our commodity prices for wheat were lower in fiscal 2009 than those incurred in fiscal 2008, our commodity prices for beans and packaging were higher in fiscal 2009 than those incurred during fiscal 2008. In addition, despite some limited relief in 2009, 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.

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        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 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 and Joan of Arc brand products and certain B&G, Cream of Wheat, Emeril's, Las Palmas 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.

Trademarks and Licensing Agreements

        As of February 18, 2010 we own 106 trademarks that are registered in the United States, 29 trademarks that are registered with certain U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and 360 trademarks that are registered in foreign countries. In addition, we have 10 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 additional one-year periods if we meet specified annual net sales results. We expect that we will meet the specified annual net sales results required in order to renew the agreement through May 2011. Under the license agreement, we are, among other things, 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.

        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.

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Employees and Labor Relations

        As of January 2, 2010, our workforce consisted of 731 employees. Of that total, 581 employees were engaged in manufacturing, 41 were engaged in marketing and sales, 83 were engaged in distribution and 26 were engaged in administration. Approximately 346 of our 731 employees, as of January 2, 2010, 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, 2014. Approximately 140 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 150 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

        As a manufacturer and marketer of food products, 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 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

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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 the investor relations section of our web site is http://ir.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://ir.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.

        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

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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 16.0% of our fiscal 2009 net sales, and our ten largest customers together accounted for approximately 50.5% of our fiscal 2009 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 products that hold either the number one or number two market position and private label products. If we fail to use our sales and marketing expertise to maintain our 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 our commodity prices for wheat were lower in fiscal 2009 than those incurred in fiscal 2008, our commodity prices for beans and packaging were higher in fiscal 2009 than those incurred during fiscal 2008. In addition, despite some limited relief in 2009, 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 savings measures, our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity will be significantly impacted.

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.

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We may have difficulties integrating 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 product lines or businesses we acquire in the future 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 February 28, 2010, we had total long-term indebtedness of $480.0 million, including $130 million principal amount of senior secured indebtedness and $350.0 million of senior unsecured indebtedness. Our ability to pay dividends is subject to contractual restrictions contained in the instruments governing our indebtedness. Although our credit facility and the first supplemental indenture relating to our senior notes (which we refer to as the senior 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:

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



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



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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



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

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:

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

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



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a number of restricted payments, including investments;



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specified sales of assets;



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specified transactions with affiliates;



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the creation of certain types of liens;



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



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entry into certain sale and leaseback transactions.

        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 and/or our senior notes indenture. Certain events of default under our credit facility and our senior notes indenture would prohibit us from paying dividends on our common stock. In addition, upon the occurrence of an event of default under our credit facility or our senior notes indenture, the lenders could elect to declare all amounts outstanding under the 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 credit facility 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.

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 interest payments on and to refinance our indebtedness, and to fund planned capital expenditures and potential acquisitions depends on our ability to generate cash flow from operations 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 flow from operations is dedicated to servicing our debt requirements. In addition, in accordance with our current dividend policy we intend to continue distributing a significant portion of any remaining cash flow to our stockholders as dividends.

        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 issuance and sale of additional debt or equity 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 since 2007, 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.

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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 $25.0 million revolving credit facility and our $130.0 million of term loan borrowings mature in February 2013, and our $350.0 million of senior notes mature in January 2018. Our ability to raise debt or equity capital in the public or private markets in order to effect a refinancing of our debt at or prior to maturity 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 at or prior to maturity on commercially reasonable terms or at all, we would be forced to seek other alternatives, including:

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sales of assets;



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sales of equity; and



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

        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.

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

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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.

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,

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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 business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

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 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.

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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 to the extent we have not purchased Canadian dollars or otherwise entered into a currency hedging arrangement in advance of any such weakening of the U.S. dollar.

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 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 2, 2010, approximately 346 of our 731 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

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could have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. If prior to any of our 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, our senior notes indenture and the covenants of any future outstanding indebtedness we or our subsidiaries incur.

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 2010 and 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 $2.3 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 for purposes of the second step of the impairment test requires significant estimates and assumptions by

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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 2009, 2008 and 2007 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, any significant decline in our market capitalization, even if due to macroeconomic factors, could put pressure on the carrying value of our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles. 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 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.

Risks Relating to our Securities

Holders of our Class A common stock 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 and senior 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 credit facility and senior notes indenture, 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.

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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.

Future sales or the possibility of future sales of a substantial number of shares of our Class A common stock or other securities convertible or exchangeable into Class A common stock may depress the price of our Class A common stock.

        We may issue shares of our Class A common stock 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 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 or other securities convertible or exchangeable into Class A common stock, as applicable, issued in connection with any such future financing, acquisitions and investments.

        We currently have an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 registering the sale of up to approximately $158.0 million of securities (after taking into account prior issuances), which we may use in the future to issue Class A common stock or other debt or equity securities convertible or exchangeable into shares of Class A common stock.

        Future sales or the availability for sale of a substantial number of shares of our Class A common stock or other securities convertible or exchangeable into Class A common stock, whether issued and sold pursuant to the shelf registration statement or otherwise 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.

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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 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 2, 2010, 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.    Reserved.

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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 2, 2010, there were 47,367,292 shares of Class A common stock issued and outstanding. As of January 2, 2010, there were no shares of Class B common stock issued or outstanding.

        Shares of our Class A common stock 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.

        From October 8, 2004 through May 22, 2007, all of our shares of Class A common stock traded as part of Enhanced Income Securities (EISs), and from May 23, 2007 through October 26, 2009, a portion of our shares of Class A common stock traded as part of EISs. EISs were units comprised of common stock and notes. Each EIS represented one share of Class A common stock and $7.15 principal amount of our then outstanding 12% senior subordinated notes due 2016. From October 8, 2004 through June 15, 2007 our EISs traded on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol "BGF." From June 18, 2007 through October 26, 2009, our EISs were traded on the New York Stock Exchange also under the symbol "BGF." In connection with our partial redemption of the senior subordinated notes in November 2009, all of the EISs automatically separated into the component shares of Class A common stock and senior subordinated notes on October 30, 2009. Following the automatic separation of the EISs, holders of shares of Class A common stock and senior subordinated notes were no longer able to combine such securities to form EISs. As a result, we no longer have any EISs outstanding. The remaining senior subordinated notes were subsequently repurchased or redeemed during the first quarter of fiscal 2010.

Holders

        According to the records of our transfer agent, we had 20 holders of record of our Class A common stock as of February 23, 2010, including Cede & Co. as nominee for The Depository Trust Company (DTC). Cede & Co. as nominee for DTC holds shares of our Class A common stock on behalf of participants in the DTC system, which in turn hold the shares of Class A common stock on behalf of beneficial owners.

Performance Graph

        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

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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 2, 2010, 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 31 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

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

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declared and payable on January 30, 2009, the current intended dividend rate for our Class A common stock is $0.680 per share per annum.

        For fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008, we had cash flows from operating activities of $62.9 million and $40.5 million, respectively, and distributed $26.4 million and $31.2 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 $0.170 per share of Class A common stock during fiscal 2009 and 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 in the shares of Class A common stock up to a holder's adjusted basis in the Class A common stock, with any excess treated as capital gains. 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. Based on U.S. federal income tax laws, B&G Foods has determined that 72.7% of distributions paid on the Class A common stock in fiscal 2009 will be treated as a return of capital and 27.3% will be treated as a taxable dividend paid from earnings and profits. For fiscal 2008, B&G Foods determined that all distributions on the Class A common stock during such year would be treated as a return of capital.

        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.

        In general, our senior notes indenture restricts 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 fiscal quarter beginning January 3, 2010 to the end of

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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 indenture 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; 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 notes indenture and under the terms of our credit facility. 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 notes indenture and the terms of our credit facility.

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

        Furthermore, while interest on our senior 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 2018 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

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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, 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. It is possible that we will fund acquisitions, if any, through the issuance of additional common stock, preferred stock or other equity securities. Holders of any additional common stock or other equity securities issued by us may be entitled to share equally with the holders of Class A common stock 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, preferred stock or other equity securities, 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 levels 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 2009.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

        We did not repurchase any shares of our Class A common stock during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009.

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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 2, 2010 (fiscal 2009), January 3, 2009 (fiscal 2008), December 29, 2007 (fiscal 2007), December 30, 2006 (fiscal 2006) and December 31, 2005 (fiscal 2005) have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. Fiscal 2008 contained 53 weeks and the fiscal years 2009, 2007, 2006 and 2005 each contained 52 weeks. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation.

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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 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 disciplined acquisitions of complementary branded businesses, continuing to develop new products and delivering them to market quickly, leveraging our 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 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. Although our commodity prices for wheat were lower in the fiscal 2009 than those incurred during fiscal 2008, our commodity prices for beans and packaging were higher than those incurred during fiscal 2008.

        We purchase maple syrup primarily from Québec, Canada and Vermont. In 2008, maple syrup production in Canada, which represents the great majority of global production, was significantly below industry needs due to growing global demand and one of the worst crop yields in nearly 40 years. As a result, the price we paid for maple syrup increased significantly and we were faced with a shortfall in supply as compared to our needs, which had a negative impact on our sales volume of maple syrup products during fiscal 2008 that continued through the first two quarters of 2009. The 2009 maple syrup crop yield was more consistent with historic levels. This together with the granting of additional production quotas by the Federation of Québec Maple Syrup Producers brought global supply more in line with global demand and reduced the price we paid for maple syrup during the remainder of 2009 as compared to 2008. In addition, unlike 2008, we were able to purchase sufficient maple syrup in 2009 to meet our needs.

        The cost of labor, manufacturing, energy, fuel, packaging materials and other costs related to the production and distribution of our food products have also 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.

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To date, our cost saving measures and sales price increases have offset increases to our raw material, ingredient and packaging costs, although in certain cases on a lagging basis. To the extent we are unable to offset present and future cost increases, our operating results will 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; and the accounting for earnings per share and share-based compensation expense. 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.

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

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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 for purposes of the second step of the impairment test 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 2009, 2008 and 2007 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, any significant decline in our market capitalization, even if due to macroeconomic factors, could put pressure on the carrying value of our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles. 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.

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

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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 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. Net income is allocated between the two classes of common stock based upon 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.

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 2009, we made total pension contributions to our pension plans of $3.6 million compared with $2.5 million in fiscal 2008. 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 2010 and beyond.

        Our discount rate assumption changed from 6.00%, 6.10% and 6.10% for each of our three defined benefit pension plans, respectively at January 3, 2009 to 6.00% for all three plans at January 2, 2010. We currently anticipate that reduced amortization of deferred losses attributable to an increase in net plan assets will result in a decrease in fiscal 2010 pre-tax pension expense of approximately $0.5 million. While we do not presently anticipate a change in our fiscal 2010 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. We are required to make $1.3 million in defined benefit pension plan contributions in fiscal 2010. Although not obligated to do so, we expect to make approximately $1.1 million of additional voluntary contributions to our defined benefit pension plans during fiscal 2010.

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 for

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periods prior to fiscal 2009) 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.

        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

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infrastructure and communication costs, office rent and supplies, professional services 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.

        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 financing costs, net of interest income and subsequent to our determination in September 2008 that our interest rate swap is no longer an effective hedge for accounting purposes, unrealized gains or losses on the interest rate swap and the reclassification of amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to the swap.

        Loss on Extinguishment of Debt.    Loss on extinguishment of debt includes costs relating to the retirement of indebtedness, including any repurchase premium and write-off of deferred debt financing costs.

Fiscal 2009 Compared to Fiscal 2008

        Our fiscal 2009 included fifty-two weeks of operating results compared with fifty-three weeks in fiscal 2008.

        Net Sales.    Net sales increased $14.1 million or 2.9% to $501.0 million for fiscal 2009 from $486.9 million for fiscal 2008. The increase was attributable to sales price increases of $27.2 million partially offset by a decrease in unit volume of $13.1 million.

        Net sales of our lines of Ortega, Las Palmas, B&M, Ac'cent, Joan of Arc and Grandma's products increased by $15.5 million, $3.2 million, $2.0 million, $1.6 million, $1.3 million and $1.2 million or 14.9%, 12.0%, 8.5%, 9.3%, 10.9% and 10.6%, respectively. These increases were offset by a reduction in net sales of B&G, Polaner, Cream of Wheat, private label pickles and peppers, Vermont Maid, Maple Grove Farms of Vermont and Emeril's products of $3.5 million, $2.1 million, $1.9 million, $1.4 million, $1.0 million, $0.6 million and $0.4 million or 10.2%, 5.3%, 3.0%, 18.5%, 34.1%, 0.9% and 2.4%, respectively. In the aggregate, net sales for all other brands increased $0.2 million or 0.2%.

        Gross Profit.    Gross profit increased $14.8 million or 11.1% to $148.7 million in fiscal 2009 from $133.9 million in fiscal 2008. Gross profit expressed as a percentage of net sales increased 2.2 percentage points to 29.7% in fiscal 2009 from 27.5% in fiscal 2008. The increase in gross profit expressed as a percentage of net sales was primarily attributable to increased sales prices of $27.2 million and reduced wheat and maple syrup costs partially offset by increased costs for beans and packaging and an increase in our accrual for performance-based compensation of $2.3 million.

        Sales, Marketing and Distribution Expenses.    Sales, marketing and distribution expenses decreased $1.8 million or 4.0% to $43.1 million for fiscal 2009 from $44.9 million for fiscal 2008. This decrease is primarily due to a decrease in consumer marketing of $1.5 million, trade spending of $1.6 million, general selling expenses of $0.4 million and brokerage expenses of $0.3 million, offset by an increase in warehousing expenses of $0.5 million and an increase in our accrual for performance based compensation of $1.5 million. Expressed as a percentage of net sales, our sales, marketing and distribution expenses decreased 0.6 percentage points to 8.6% in fiscal 2009 from 9.2% in fiscal 2008.

        General and Administrative Expenses.    General and administrative expenses increased $2.2 million or 25.0% to $10.9 million in fiscal 2009 from $8.7 million in fiscal 2008. This increase was primarily the result of an increase in our accrual for performance based compensation of $3.3 million, partially offset

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by a decrease in severance and termination expenses of $0.7 million and professional fees of $0.4 million.

        Amortization Expense—Customer Relationships.    Amortization expense—customer relationships remained consistent at $6.5 million in fiscal 2009 as compared to fiscal 2008.

        Operating Income.    As a result of the foregoing, operating income increased $14.4 million or 19.5% to $88.3 million in fiscal 2009 from $73.9 million in fiscal 2008. Operating income expressed as a percentage of net sales increased to 17.6% in fiscal 2009 from 15.2% in fiscal 2008.

        Net Interest Expense.    Net interest expense decreased $8.7 million to $49.4 million in fiscal 2009 from $58.1 million in fiscal 2008. Net interest expense in fiscal 2009 includes a $1.5 million benefit relating to an unrealized gain on our interest rate swap, more than offset by a $1.7 million charge for the reclassification of the amount recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to the swap. Net interest expense in fiscal 2008 includes a $5.6 million charge relating to the unrealized loss on our interest rate swap and a $0.5 million charge for the reclassification of the amount recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to the swap. The remaining decrease in net interest expense was primarily attributable to our repurchase and redemption of $96.3 million aggregate principal amount of our senior subordinated notes during the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2009. See "—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Debt" below.

        Loss on Extinguishment of Debt.    Loss on extinguishment of debt for fiscal 2009 includes $10.2 million of costs relating to our repurchase and redemption of $96.3 million aggregate principal amount of senior subordinated notes during the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2009, including $5.8 million for the payment of a repurchase premium and a non-cash charge of $4.4 million for the write-off of unamortized deferred debt financing costs associated with the notes repurchased. During fiscal 2008, we did not extinguish any debt.

        Income Tax Expense.    Income tax expense increased $5.1 million to $11.2 million in fiscal 2009 from $6.1 million in fiscal 2008. Our effective tax rate for fiscal 2009 was 39.2% as compared with 38.5% for fiscal 2008. The increase in our effective tax rate for fiscal 2009 is primarily attributable to the utilization of New Jersey net operating loss carry forwards that carried a higher effective tax rate than other deferred tax assets.

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

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$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 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 $7.2 million to $58.1 million in fiscal 2008 from $50.9 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 and a $0.5 million charge for the reclassification 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. See "—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Debt" below.

        Loss on Extinguishment of Debt.    Loss on extinguishment of debt 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. During fiscal 2008, we did not extinguish any debt.

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        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.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

        Our primary liquidity requirements include debt service, capital expenditures and working capital needs. See also, "Dividend Policy" and"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

        Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities.    Net cash provided by operating activities increased $22.4 million to $62.9 million in fiscal 2009 from $40.5 million in fiscal 2008. Net cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2007 was $34.0 million. The increase in cash provided from operating activities in fiscal 2009 as compared to fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007 was primarily due to an increase in net sales, improved profitability and working capital improvements.

        Net Cash Used in Investing Activities.    Net cash used in investing activities was $10.7 million in fiscal 2009 as compared to $10.6 million for fiscal 2008 and $214.8 million for fiscal 2007. During fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008, our net cash used in investing activities consisted entirely of capital expenditures. Our capital expenditures typically include expenditures for building improvements, purchases of manufacturing and computer equipment and capitalized interest. Net cash used in investing activities for fiscal 2007 consisted of capital expenditures of $14.2 million and $200.5 million to fund our Cream of Wheat acquisition. The significantly higher capital expenditures in fiscal 2007 related to the relocation of our Underwood manufacturing from a third-party co-packer to our Portland, Maine facility and capital expenditures incurred to expand our Stoughton, Wisconsin facility following the Cream of Wheat acquisition. We expect to make capital expenditures of up to $11.0 million in fiscal 2010.

        Net Cash Used in Financing Activities.    Net cash used in financing activities was $44.9 million during fiscal 2009 and $33.7 million during fiscal 2008, compared with net cash provided by financing activities of $187.7 million during fiscal 2007. In fiscal 2009, net cash used in financing activities related to $102.0 million dollars in payments for the repurchase and redemption of $96.3 million principal amount of our senior subordinated notes, $2.3 million for Class A common stock repurchases, $26.4 million of dividend payments and $0.7 million of deferred financing costs, partially offset by net proceeds of $86.6 million from our public offering of Class A common stock. The $4.8 million reduction in dividend payments in fiscal 2009 as compared to fiscal 2008 was due primarily to a reduction in our dividend rate per annum from $0.848 per share in fiscal 2008 to $0.680 per share in fiscal 2009. In fiscal 2008, net cash used in financing activities consisted of $31.2 million of dividend payments and payments of $2.5 million for Class A common stock repurchases. Net cash provided by financing activities for fiscal 2007 consisted of $205.0 million from additional term loan borrowings and $193.2 million of net proceeds from our public offering of Class A common stock, offset by $100.0 million for the prepayment of term loan borrowings, $82.4 million for Class B common stock repurchases, $24.1 million for the payment of dividends and $4.0 million in debt financing costs.

        Subsequent to year-end fiscal 2009, we issued $350.0 million of 7.625% senior notes due 2018 and used a portion of the proceeds to retire in full the entire $240.0 million principal amount of our 8% senior notes and the remaining $69.5 million principal amount of our 12% senior subordinated notes. In connection with the retirement of the 8% senior notes and 12% senior subordinated notes, we incurred a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $15.4 million in the first quarter of 2010,

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including the repurchase premium of $10.8 million and a write-off and expense of $4.6 million of deferred debt financing costs. See "—Debt" below for further information regarding the issuance of the 7.625% senior notes and retirement of the 8% senior notes and 12% senior subordinated notes. We intend to use the remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including, the acquisition of assets used or useful in, or the equity of an entity engaged in, our business or a related business.

        Cash Income Tax Payments.    Based on a number of factors, including our trademark, goodwill and customer relationship intangibles amortization for tax purposes from our prior acquisitions, we realized a significant reduction in cash taxes in fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007 as compared to our tax expense for financial reporting purposes. While we expect our cash taxes to continue to increase in fiscal 2010 as compared to the prior three years, we believe that we will realize a benefit to our cash taxes payable from amortization of our trademarks, goodwill and customer relationship intangibles for the taxable years 2010 through 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.

Dividend Policy

        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 we made on January 30, 2009, the current intended dividend rate for our Class A common stock is $0.680 per share per annum.

        Dividend payments, however, 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. Furthermore, our board of directors may, in its sole discretion, amend or repeal this dividend policy. Our board of directors may decrease the level of dividends below the intended dividend rate or discontinue entirely the payment of dividends. Future dividends with respect to shares of our common stock depend on, among other things, our results of operations, cash requirements, financial condition, contractual restrictions, business opportunities, acquisition opportunities, the condition of the debt and equity financing markets, provisions of applicable law and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. 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. In addition, over time, our EBITDA and capital expenditure, working capital and other cash needs will be subject to uncertainties, which could impact the level of dividends, if any, we pay in the future. Our senior notes indenture and the terms of our credit facility contain significant restrictions on our ability to make dividend payments. In addition, certain provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law may limit our ability to pay dividends. See Part II, Item 5 of this report for a more detailed discussion of our dividend policy.

        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.

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        For fiscal 2009 and 2008, we had cash flows provided by operating activities of $62.9 million and $40.5 million, respectively, and distributed $26.4 million and $31.2 million, respectively, as dividends. At our current intended dividend rate of $0.680 per share per annum, we expect our aggregate dividend payments in fiscal 2010 to be $32.4 million. If our cash flows from operating activities for future periods 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 revolving credit facility to finance our working capital needs were to prove incorrect), we would need either to further reduce or eliminate dividends or, to the extent permitted under our senior 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 position, our results of operations, our liquidity and our ability to maintain or expand our business.

Acquisitions

        Our liquidity and capital resources have been significantly impacted by acquisitions and may be impacted in the foreseeable future by additional acquisitions. As discussed elsewhere in this report, as part of our growth strategy we plan to expand our brand portfolio with disciplined acquisitions of complementary brands. We have historically financed acquisitions with borrowings and cash flows from operating activities. As a result, our interest expense has in the past increased as a result of additional indebtedness we have incurred in connection with acquisitions, and will increase with any additional indebtedness we may incur to finance future acquisitions, if any. The impact of future acquisitions, whether financed with additional indebtedness or otherwise, may have a material impact on our liquidity.

Environmental and Health and Safety Costs

        We have not made any material expenditures during fiscal 2009, 2008 or 2007 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 consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. However, we cannot predict what environmental or health and safety legislation 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 or health and safety laws or regulations or to respond to such environmental claims.

Debt

        Senior Secured Credit Facility.    During the third quarter of 2009, Credit Suisse replaced Lehman Commercial Paper Inc. (Lehman CPI) as the administrative agent under our credit facility. Also during the third quarter of 2009, the credit facility was amended to, among other things, extend the maturity date for the undrawn revolving credit facility from January 2011 to February 2013. As amended, our $25.0 million revolving credit facility and our $130.0 million of term loan borrowings mature in February 2013. The following discussion of the credit facility describes the credit facility as amended through the date of issuance of the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

        Interest under the revolving credit facility, including any outstanding letters of credit, is determined based on alternative rates that we may choose in accordance with the revolving credit facility, including the base lending rate per annum plus an applicable margin of 2.00%, and LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 3.00%. We pay a commitment fee of 0.50% per annum on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility. Interest under the term loan facility is determined based on alternative rates

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that we may choose in accordance with the credit facility, including the base lending rate per annum plus an applicable margin of 1.00%, and LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 2.00%.

        Our obligations under the credit facility are jointly and severally and fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis by all of our existing and certain future domestic subsidiaries. The credit facility is secured by substantially all of our and our domestic subsidiaries' assets except our and our domestic subsidiaries' real property. The credit facility provides for mandatory prepayment upon certain asset dispositions and issuances of securities, as defined. The credit facility contains covenants that restrict, among other things, our ability to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends and create certain liens. The credit facility also contains certain financial maintenance covenants, which, among other things, specify maximum capital expenditure limits, a minimum interest coverage ratio and a maximum senior and total leverage ratio, each ratio as defined. As of January 2, 2010, we were in compliance with all of the covenants in the credit facility. Proceeds of the revolving credit facility are restricted to funding our working capital requirements, capital expenditures and acquisitions of companies in the same line of business as our company, subject to specified criteria. The maximum letter of credit capacity under the revolving credit facility is $10.0 million, with a fronting fee of 3.0% per annum for all outstanding letters of credit.

        On September 15, 2008, Lehman CPI filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Following that date, we no longer believed that Lehman CPI would honor its $3.1 million funding commitment under the revolving credit facility if we were to make a funding request. Therefore, when Lehman CPI's commitment was assumed by other lenders during the third quarter of 2009, the effective available borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility, net of outstanding letters of credit increased by $3.1 million. At January 2, 2010, the available borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility, net of outstanding letters of credit of $0.5 million, was $24.5 million. We have not drawn upon the revolving credit facility since its inception in October 2004 and, based upon our cash on hand and working capital requirements, we have no plans to do so for the foreseeable future.

        Effective as of February 26, 2007, we entered into a six year interest rate swap agreement in order to effectively fix at 7.0925% the interest rate payable for $130.0 million of term loan borrowings through the life of the term loan, ending on February 26, 2013. The counterparty to the swap is Lehman Special Financing Inc. (Lehman SFI) and the counterparty's guarantor is Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (Lehman). On September 15, 2008, Lehman filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Lehman SFI filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code on October 3, 2008.

        We initially designated the swap as a cash flow hedge. Prior to Lehman's bankruptcy filing, we recorded changes in the fair value of the swap in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax in our consolidated balance sheet. However, as a result of the Lehman bankruptcy filing, we determined in September 2008 that the interest rate swap was no longer an effective hedge. Accordingly, subsequent to that determination, we record changes in the swap's fair value in current earnings in net interest expense in our consolidated statements of operations. We obtain third-party verification of fair value at the end of each reporting period. As of January 2, 2010, the fair value of our interest rate swap was an unrealized loss of $11.6 million and is recorded in other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet. The amount recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) will be reclassified to net interest expense over the remaining life of the term loan borrowings as we make interest payments. Net interest expense in fiscal 2009 includes a $1.5 million benefit relating to the unrealized gain on our interest rate swap and a reclassification of $1.7 million of the amount recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to the swap. Net interest expense in fiscal 2009 also includes a reduction in interest income primarily due to lower interest rates and a decrease in capitalized interest on qualifying assets. During fiscal 2010, we expect to reclassify to net interest expense $1.7 million of the amount recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

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        12% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016.    In October 2004, we issued $165.8 million aggregate principal amount of 12% senior subordinated notes due 2016, $143.0 million of which in the form of EISs and $22.8 million separate from EISs. Interest on the senior subordinated notes was payable quarterly in arrears on each January 30, April 30, July 30 and October 30. As of January 2, 2010, $69.5 million aggregate principal amount of senior subordinated notes remained outstanding and we were in compliance with all of the covenants in the senior subordinated notes indenture.

        In January 2010, we repurchased $44.7 million aggregate principal amount of the senior subordinated notes with the proceeds of our public offering of 7.625% senior notes due 2018 at a repurchase price of 106.5% of such principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, and set aside sufficient proceeds of the offering to repurchase or redeem the remaining senior subordinated notes. In February 2010, we repurchased or redeemed the remaining $24.8 million aggregate principal amount of the senior subordinated notes at a price equal to 106.0% of such principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

        8% Senior Notes due 2011.    In October 2004, we issued $240.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8% senior notes due 2011. Interest on the 8% senior notes was payable on April 1 and October 1 of each year. As of January 2, 2010, we were in compliance with all of the covenants in the 8% senior notes indenture. In January 2010, we repurchased $238.9 million aggregate principal amount of the 8% senior notes with the proceeds of our public offering of 7.625% senior notes due 2018 at a repurchase price of 102.375% of such principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, and set aside sufficient proceeds of the offering to repurchase or redeem the remaining 8% senior notes. In February 2010, we repurchased or redeemed the remaining $1.1 million aggregate principal amount of the 8% senior notes at a price equal to 102.0% of such principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

        Loss on Extinguishment of Debt.    In connection with the retirement of our 12% senior subordinated notes and 8% senior notes, we incurred a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $15.4 million in the first quarter of 2010, including the repurchase premium of $10.8 million and a write-off and expense of $4.6 million of deferred debt financing costs.

        7.625% Senior Notes due 2018.    In January 2010, we issued $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.625% senior notes due 2018 at a price to the public of 99.271% of their face value. Accordingly, original issue discount and debt financing costs are being amortized through the maturity date of the senior notes. Interest on the senior notes is payable on January 15 and July 15 of each year. The senior notes will mature on January 15, 2018, unless earlier retired or redeemed as described below.

        On or after January 15, 2014, we may redeem some or all of the senior notes at a redemption price of 103.813% beginning January 15, 2014 and thereafter at prices declining annually to 100% on or after January 15, 2017. We may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes prior to January 15, 2013 with the net proceeds from certain equity offerings. We may also redeem some or all of the notes at any time prior to January 15, 2014 at a redemption price equal to the make-whole amount set forth in the senior notes indenture. In addition, if we undergo a change of control, we may be required to offer to repurchase the notes at the repurchase price set forth in the senior notes indenture plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption.

        We may also, from time to time, seek to retire senior notes through cash repurchases of senior notes and/or exchanges of senior notes for equity securities, in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases or exchanges, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material.

        Our obligations under the senior notes are jointly and severally and fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis by all of our existing and certain future domestic subsidiaries. The senior

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notes and the subsidiary guarantees are our and the guarantors' general unsecured obligations and are effectively junior in right of payment to all of our and the guarantors' secured indebtedness and to the indebtedness and other liabilities of our non-guarantor subsidiaries; are pari passu in right of payment to all of our and the guarantors' existing and future unsecured senior debt; and are senior in right of payment to all of our and the guarantors' future subordinated debt. Our foreign subsidiary is not a guarantor, and any future foreign or partially owned domestic subsidiaries will not be guarantors, of our senior notes.

        Our senior notes indenture contains covenants with respect to us and the guarantors and restricts the incurrence of additional indebtedness and the issuance of capital stock; the payment of dividends or distributions on, and redemption of, capital stock; a number of other restricted payments, including certain investments; specified creation of liens, sale-leaseback transactions and sale of certain specified assets; fundamental changes, including consolidation, mergers and transfers of all or substantially all of our assets; and specified transactions with affiliates. Each of the covenants is subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications.

Stock and Debt Repurchase Program

        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 8% senior notes over the next twelve months. On May 5, 2009, the board of directors authorized an increase in the authorization to $25.0 million and extended the authorization through May 4, 2010. On August 6, 2009, the board of directors expanded the authorization to include repurchases of our senior subordinated notes and extended the authorization through August 5, 2010. Under the authorization, we may purchase shares of Class A common stock from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC. As of the date of this report, none of the 8% senior notes or senior subordinated notes remains outstanding.

        The timing and amount of such repurchases, if any, will be at the discretion of management, and will depend on market conditions and other considerations. Therefore, there can be no assurance as to the number or aggregate dollar amount of shares that will be repurchased under the stock and debt repurchase program. We may discontinue the program at any time. Any shares repurchased pursuant to the stock repurchase program will be retired.

        We repurchased and retired 403,500 shares of Class A common stock at an average cost per share (excluding fees and commissions) of $5.76, or $2.3 million in the aggregate during fiscal 2009, and 550,331 shares of Class A common stock in fiscal 2008 at an average cost per share (excluding fees and commissions) of $4.60, or $2.6 million in the aggregate. During fiscal 2009, we repurchased $6.3 million principal amount of our senior subordinated notes under the stock and debt repurchase program for $6.6 million plus accrued and unpaid interest. As of January 2, 2010, we had $13.5 million available for future repurchases under the stock and debt repurchase program.

Future Capital Needs

        We are highly leveraged. On January 2, 2010, our total long-term debt and stockholders' equity was $439.5 million and $225.6 million, respectively.

        Our ability to generate sufficient cash to fund our operations depends generally on our results of operations and the availability of financing. Our management believes that our cash on hand, cash flow from operating activities and available borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility will be sufficient for the foreseeable future to fund operations, meet debt service requirements, fund capital expenditures, make future acquisitions within our line of business, if any, and pay our anticipated dividends on our Class A common stock. We expect to make capital expenditures of up to $11.0 million in fiscal 2010.

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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. Sales during the first quarter of the fiscal year are generally below those of the following three quarters.

        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.

Inflation

        During fiscal 2008 and 2007 and to a limited extent during 2009, we were faced with significant cost increases for certain commodities and packaging materials. We manage this risk by entering into short-term supply contracts and advance commodities purchase agreements from time to time, and if necessary, by raising prices. Our cost increases in fiscal 2008 and 2007 were partially attributable to the spike in oil and natural gas prices, which had a substantial impact on our raw material, packaging and transportation costs. Through sales price increases and cost saving efforts we have been able to offset the impact of recent raw material, packaging and transportation cost increases. There can be no assurance, however, that any future sales price increases or cost saving efforts by us will offset the increased cost of raw material, packaging and transportation costs, or that we will be able to raise prices or reduce costs at all.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

        In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) established the FASB Accounting Standards Codification^TM (Codification) as the single source of authoritative GAAP recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the SEC under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative U.S. GAAP for SEC registrants. The Codification, which is effective as of our third quarter of fiscal 2009, supersedes all existing non-SEC accounting and reporting standards and is intended to reorganize, rather than change, GAAP. The adoption of this standard did not have any impact on our results of operations or financial position.

        In September 2006, the FASB issued a new standard relating to fair value measurements, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This standard was effective as of the beginning of our fiscal 2008, with the exception of certain provisions deferred until the beginning of our fiscal 2009. In February 2008, the FASB delayed the effective date of the standard for all non-financial assets and liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis, until the beginning of our fiscal 2009. We adopted the standard effective at the beginning of our fiscal 2008 for financial assets and financial liabilities, which did not have a material impact on our results of operations or financial position. We adopted the standard effective at the beginning of our fiscal 2009 for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, which did not have a material impact on our results of operations or financial position. In January 2010, the FASB amended the standard to require additional disclosures related to transfers between levels in the hierarchy of fair value measurement. The amendment is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009. The amendment does not change how fair values are measured. Accordingly, the amendment will not have an impact on our results of operations or financial position.

        In December 2007, the FASB issued new standards relating to business combinations and noncontrolling interests in consolidated financial statements. The standard relating to business

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combinations requires an acquirer to measure the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at their fair values on the acquisition date, with goodwill being the excess value over the net identifiable assets acquired. The noncontrolling interest standard clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. These standards were effective as of the beginning of our fiscal 2009. The business combinations standard will be applied prospectively, and any effects will depend on future acquisitions. The standard relating to noncontrolling interests in consolidated financial statements requires retroactive adoption. We currently do not have any noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries.

        In March 2008, the FASB issued a standard that amended existing standards about derivative instruments and hedging activities to require enhanced disclosures about (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (b) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity's financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. The amendments were effective as of the beginning of our fiscal 2009. Since the amendments require enhanced disclosures, without a change to existing standards relative to measurement and recognition, our adoption of the standard did not have any effect on our results of operations or financial position. See notes 7 and 8 for the required disclosures about our derivative instruments and hedging activities.

        In April 2008, the FASB issued a standard relating to how companies should determine the useful life of intangible assets. The standard requires companies estimating the useful life of a recognized intangible asset to consider their historical experience in renewing or extending similar arrangements or, in the absence of historical experience, to consider assumptions that market participants would use about renewal or extension as adjusted for entity-specific factors. We adopted this standard effective at the beginning of our fiscal 2009, which did not have a material impact on our results of operations or financial position.

        In December 2008, the FASB issued a standard relating to an employer's disclosure about postretirement benefit plan assets. The standard requires additional disclosures about plan assets for defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans. We adopted the standard effective as of the end of our fiscal 2009. Since this requires enhanced disclosures, without a change to existing standards relative to measurement and recognition, our adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on our results of operations or financial position. See note 11 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for the required disclosures about our defined benefit plan assets.

        In May 2009, the FASB established a general standard of accounting for, and requiring disclosure of, events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. The standard was effective beginning with our second quarter of fiscal 2009. The adoption of the standard did not have a material effect on our on our results of operations or financial position. See note 16 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for the required disclosures about subsequent events.

Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

        As of January 2, 2010, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K.

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Commitments and Contractual Obligations

        Our contractual obligations and commitments principally include obligations associated with our outstanding indebtedness and future minimum operating lease obligations as set forth in the following table as of January 2, 2010.

Forward-Looking Statements

        This report includes forward-looking statements, including without limitation the statements under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." The words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends," "estimates," "projects" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance and achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements. We believe important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include the following:

•

our substantial leverage;



•

the effects of rising costs for our raw materials, packaging and ingredients;



•

crude oil prices and their impact on distribution, packaging and energy costs;



•

our ability to successfully implement sales price increases and cost saving measures to offset any cost increases;



•

intense competition, changes in consumer preferences, demand for our products and local economic and market conditions;

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•

our continued ability to promote brand equity successfully, to anticipate and respond to new consumer trends, to develop new products and markets, to broaden brand portfolios in order to compete effectively with lower priced products and in markets that are consolidating at the retail and manufacturing levels and to improve productivity;



•

the risks associated with the expansion of our business;



•

our possible inability to integrate any businesses we acquire;



•

our ability to access the credit markets and our borrowing costs and credit ratings, which may be influenced by credit markets generally and the credit ratings of our competitors;



•

the effects of currency movements of the Canadian dollar as compared to the U.S. dollar;



•

other factors that affect the food industry generally, including:



—

recalls if products become adulterated or misbranded, liability if product consumption causes injury, ingredient disclosure and labeling laws and regulations and the possibility that consumers could lose confidence in the safety and quality of certain food products;



—

competitors' pricing practices and promotional spending levels; and



—

fluctuations in the level of our customers' inventories and credit and other business risks related to our customers operating in a challenging economic and competitive environment;



—

the risks associated with third-party suppliers and co-packers, including the risk that any failure by one or more of our third-party suppliers or co-packers to comply with food safety or other laws and regulations may disrupt our supply of raw materials or certain finished goods products; and



•

other factors discussed elsewhere in this report, including under Item 1A, "Risk Factors," and in our other public filings with the SEC.

        Developments in any of these areas could cause our results to differ materially from results that have been or may be projected by or on our behalf.

        All forward-looking statements included in this report are based on information available to us on the date of this report. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained in this report.

        We caution that the foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive. We urge investors not to unduly rely on forward-looking statements contained in this report.

Item 7A.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

        In the normal course of operations, we are exposed to market risks arising from adverse changes in interest rates. Market risk is defined for these purposes as the potential change in the fair value of financial asset or liability resulting from an adverse movement in interest rates.

        Interest under our $25.0 million revolving credit facility, including any outstanding letters of credit, is determined based on alternative rates that we may choose in accordance with the revolving credit facility, including the base lending rate per annum plus an applicable margin of 2.00%, and LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 3.00%. Interest under our term loan facility is determined based on alternative rates that we may choose in accordance with the credit facility, including the base lending rate per annum plus an applicable margin of 1.00%, and LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 2.00%.

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The revolving credit facility was undrawn at January 2, 2010 and January 3, 2009, and we currently have no plans to draw upon the facility for the foreseeable future. The available borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility, net of outstanding letters of credit of $0.5 million, was $24.5 million at January 2, 2010.

        We have outstanding $130.0 million of term loan borrowings at January 2, 2010. The term loan borrowings are fixed at 7.0925% based upon a six-year interest rate swap agreement that we entered into on February 26, 2007 with an affiliate of Lehman. See the discussion of the interest rate swap and the Lehman bankruptcy filing above under the heading "Liquidity and Capital Resources—Debt—Senior Secured Credit Facility" in Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" for additional information.

        Cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, income tax receivable, trade accounts payable, accrued expenses and dividends payable are reflected in the consolidated balance sheets at carrying value, which approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

        The carrying values and fair values of our term loan borrowings, senior notes and senior subordinated notes as of January 2, 2010 and January 3, 2009 are as follows (dollars in thousands):

        The information under the heading "Inflation" in Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" is incorporated herein by reference.

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Item 8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

        The consolidated balance sheets at January 2, 2010 and January 3, 2009 and the consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders' equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007 and related notes are set forth below.