Verde Valle Foods Completes Acquisition of A Dozen Cousins
In a strategic move to strengthen its portfolio of culturally inspired, ready-to-eat meals, Verde Valle Foods has officially acquired A Dozen Cousins, a fast-growing natural food brand known for its seasoned beans, rice cooked in bone broth, and global seasoning sauces. The acquisition is set to expand Verde Valle’s footprint in the U.S. natural food sector, particularly among health-conscious consumers seeking authentic Creole, Caribbean, and Latin American cuisine.
Founded in 2019 by Ibraheem Basir, A Dozen Cousins has made a mark in the grocery industry by offering flavorful, convenient meal options rooted in the traditional recipes of the African diaspora and Latin America. With a focus on clean ingredients, the brand’s mission has resonated with a wide range of customers eager for products that reflect both cultural authenticity and nutritional integrity. Basir, who has served as CEO since the company’s inception, will continue to lead the brand as General Manager under Verde Valle Foods’ ownership, ensuring continuity in brand vision and strategy.
A Shared Vision of Authenticity and Quality
The acquisition by Verde Valle Foods, a subsidiary of the Mexico-based Verde Valle Group, brings together two companies with a shared passion for premium ingredients and culturally significant meals. Verde Valle, founded in 1967, is a third-generation family-owned enterprise recognized for its leadership in rice, beans, grains, and, notably, ready-to-eat meals in pouches. Its U.S. subsidiary, Verde Valle Foods, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, has spent the last 16 years distributing high-quality staple foods to American consumers, including its flagship brand Isadora, one of the pioneers of pouched bean products.
“We are extremely excited to welcome A Dozen Cousins into the Verde Valle Foods family,” said Germán Rosales Jr., CEO of Verde Valle Foods in the U.S. “The brand complements our long-standing commitment to delicious, ready-to-eat foods that honor culinary traditions. A Dozen Cousins will enable us to deepen our engagement with the natural products segment while continuing to deliver foods that consumers trust and enjoy.”
According to Rosales, this acquisition is not just a strategic business move—it is also a cultural alignment. “Ibraheem’s passion for storytelling through food mirrors our own heritage,” he added. “Together, we will continue creating meals that reflect the tastes and traditions of diverse communities across the country.”
Strengthening the Supply Chain and Fueling Innovation
Basir echoed his excitement about joining forces with Verde Valle Foods, highlighting the operational and strategic advantages the acquisition will bring. “I couldn’t be more thrilled to partner with the team at Verde Valle,” Basir said. “They are true trailblazers when it comes to pouched meals, and their infrastructure will significantly enhance our supply chain, allowing us to reach more customers more efficiently. At the same time, this partnership will empower us to reinvest in product innovation and marketing efforts, ultimately helping us build a brand that people love and trust.”
A Dozen Cousins is poised to benefit from Verde Valle’s expansive manufacturing capabilities and distribution networks. These enhancements are expected to help the brand scale more rapidly and respond more effectively to increasing consumer demand for convenient, better-for-you meals that are rich in flavor and cultural heritage.
From Family Recipes to Grocery Shelves Nationwide
The story of A Dozen Cousins is deeply personal. Named after Basir’s daughter and her 11 cousins, the brand was inspired by the home-cooked meals Basir enjoyed with his family—dishes that often featured rich spices, bold flavors, and time-honored recipes passed down through generations. Noticing a gap in the market for ready-to-eat foods that were both culturally authentic and healthy, Basir created A Dozen Cousins to fill that void.
The company’s first products—seasoned beans—quickly earned a loyal following for their taste and convenience. Over time, the product line has expanded to include bone broth-cooked rices and globally inspired seasoning sauces, all of which are made using non-GMO ingredients, with no artificial preservatives or flavors. The brand’s rice line, in particular, has shown significant growth, with double-digit sales increases over the past year, even as the broader prepared rice category remained flat.
“From day one, we set out to offer something different—meals that are not only easy to prepare but also deeply rooted in culture and tradition,” Basir said. “We’ve always believed that food is a powerful connector, and we’re excited to keep sharing that message with even more people in the years ahead.”
What’s Next for A Dozen Cousins?
Looking forward, both A Dozen Cousins and Verde Valle Foods are optimistic about the future. The acquisition is expected to bring new opportunities for product development and brand expansion. Basir confirmed that the brand will continue to uphold its high ingredient standards and transparent sourcing practices, with several new products currently in development for launch in the next year.
“The support and expertise from Verde Valle will allow us to fast-track a lot of ideas that we’ve been incubating for some time,” Basir noted. “Our community can expect the same great products they know and love, along with some exciting innovations that we’re eager to share.”
A Dozen Cousins products are currently available at major retailers across the U.S., including Whole Foods Market, Target, Walmart, Sprouts, Publix, Meijer, Kroger, Wegmans, Fresh Market, and Thrive Market, among others. With the added backing of Verde Valle Foods, that list is likely to grow as the brand increases its presence in both traditional and natural grocery channels.
A Future Rooted in Flavor and Culture
The acquisition of A Dozen Cousins by Verde Valle Foods is more than a corporate transaction—it’s a fusion of shared values, culinary heritage, and a vision for bringing delicious, wholesome meals to consumers everywhere. Together, the two companies are well-positioned to serve a growing audience that is hungry for convenience without compromise, and for meals that taste like home—wherever that may be.
To learn more about A Dozen Cousins and its product offerings, visit or follow @adozencousins on social media.
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