Egg Producer Pete & Gerry’s Organics Acquires Farmer’s Hen House to Meet Rising Demand
Pete & Gerry’s Organics, LLC, a trailblazer in humane egg farming, has announced its acquisition of Farmers Hen House, a privately held company based in Kalona, Iowa, known for producing Certified Humane® eggs. The merger brings Farmers Hen House into the Pete & Gerry’s family, which already includes Pete & Gerry’s Organic®, Pete & Gerry’s Pasture-Raised™, and Nellie’s Free Range® egg brands.
This acquisition marks a significant move in the premium egg market, combining two industry leaders with complementary product offerings across the Free-Range, Pasture-Raised, and Organic segments. Both companies have experienced impressive growth, with sales increasing by nearly 50% since 2021, driven by a surging consumer demand for high-quality, ethically sourced eggs. By merging their resources, infrastructure, and expertise, Pete & Gerry’s and Farmers Hen House are well-positioned to continue meeting the growing demand for premium eggs, catering to both customers and consumers.
The acquisition includes over 90 family farms and a modern processing facility located in Iowa, expanding Pete & Gerry’s operations and boosting its growth potential, particularly in the Midwest and West regions. With the addition of this new facility, Pete & Gerry’s now operates four egg packing facilities, significantly increasing its overall processing capacity. This expansion provides greater flexibility and efficiency in its manufacturing processes, enabling the company to better meet the needs of its customers and enhance its market presence.
According to Tom Flocco, CEO of Pete & Gerry’s, the demand for humanely sourced eggs—such as the company’s Pasture-Raised, Free-Range, and Organic offerings—continues to grow due to their high quality, consistent production, and strong ethical appeal. As the impact of Avian Influenza persists, the trend toward premium egg options is expected to intensify, as these eggs benefit from enhanced biosecurity through distributed farm networks.
The merger with Farmers Hen House is seen as a strategic move to meet this demand and to continue advancing Pete & Gerry’s mission to protect hen welfare and support American family farms. Flocco emphasized the natural alignment of values between the two companies, stating that their shared commitment to ethical farming practices will strengthen their ability to deliver healthy eggs and support sustainable farming practices that benefit both people and the planet.
By incorporating Farmers Hen House’s network of 90+ partner family farms, Pete & Gerry’s now collaborates with nearly 300 family farms. This expanded network ensures a reliable supply of ethically sourced eggs, meeting the needs of consumers and retail partners alike. With this addition, the company further solidifies its position as a leading producer of humane, high-quality eggs in the United States.
Farmers Hen House was founded almost 30 years ago with a mission to support local family farms by producing premium that would help keep these farms competitive in the modern agricultural landscape. Over the years, the company has grown and evolved while maintaining its commitment to high standards of quality and sustainability. Ryan Miller, President and Co-Owner of Farmers Hen House, expressed his pride in the company’s growth and its continued commitment to its founding principles. He also welcomed the opportunity to enter a new chapter with Pete & Gerry’s, expanding the reach of their Certified Humane® eggs and continuing to support family farmers across the country.
The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed, but the deal was facilitated with the assistance of Brown Gibbons Lang & Company, who advised Farmers Hen House. Pete & Gerry’s was represented by Giannuzzi Lewendon and Kirkland & Ellis LLP as its legal advisors.
This acquisition represents a significant step forward for both companies as they work to expand their reach and continue providing high-quality, ethically sourced to consumers. As the demand for humane and sustainable food products continues to grow, Pete & Gerry’s and Farmers Hen House are well-positioned to remain at the forefront of the premium egg market, offering a diverse range of products that support both the health of hens and the welfare of the environment. Their combined efforts will contribute to the continued evolution of the egg industry and help shape a more sustainable future for family farmers and consumers alike.
About Pete & Gerry’s Organics, LLC
The Pete & Gerry’s family has been raising hens for generations and is committed to bringing consumers the highest-quality organic, free-range and pasture-raised eggs possible via its quality brands and products, including Pete & Gerry’s Organic®, Pete & Gerry’s Pasture-Raised™, and Nellie’s Free Range®. Pete & Gerry’s is a values-led company dedicated to the humane treatment of animals and to supporting the livelihoods of family farmers, each of whom follow the strictest standards of humane animal treatment, safety, and environmental sustainability.
In 2003, the company became the first Certified Humane producer in the US, and in 2013 it became the first egg producer in the world to achieve Certified B Corporation status. Pete & Gerry’s believes hens deserve a safe, comfortable place to live a happy, healthy, natural lifestyle – and that family farmers deserve the right to keep their land and income without having to resort to the unhealthy and inhumane factory-farm practices plaguing this country.
About Farmers Hen House
Farmers Hen House provides organic, free-range, and pasture-raised shell eggs, responsibly sourced from local family farms and sold through retail customers who share the Company’s values of humane treatment of animals, sustainability, and commitment to family farming.
The Company was founded in 1997, with the mission to provide local Amish and Mennonite farmers with a sustainable means to competitively produce and market specialty eggs in the modern retail economy. Today, Farmers Hen House has grown to be one of the largest independent processors and marketers of premium shell eggs sold through the natural, conventional, mass and club retail channels.
