HOOD RIVER, ORE. — Tofu maker Morinaga Nutritional Foods, Inc. has acquired the plant-based Tofurky and Moocho brands for an undisclosed sum.
Morinaga, the US-based manufacturer of Mori-Nu Silken Tofu, has been a tofu supplier to Tofurky for 17 years. Tofurky will continue manufacturing products, which include meatless deli slices, sausages, burgers, roasts and more, at its facility in Hood River. Morinaga plans to increase capacity at the plant and will maintain the original recipes and product availability of Tofurky and its dairy-free sister brand, Moocho, which debuted in 2020.
“We’ve been working with the team at Morinaga for nearly two decades, and over that course of time realized the multiple synergies our organizations have across our businesses — from supply chain and operations to new product development targets,” said Jaime Athos, president and chief executive officer of Tofurky. “We’re very proud of what we’ve achieved thus far as an independent and family-operated company, but as we enter our next stage of growth, Morinaga will provide the platform needed to help us expand more aggressively in the US and beyond.”
Based in Torrance, Calif., Morinaga produces soy products, including shelf-stable tofu sold in both retail and foodservice channels, as well as probiotics and postbiotic ingredients. The company operates a tofu manufacturing facility in Tualatin, Ore., and a sales and research and development office in Torrance.
“Tofurky has a proven track record of success in the US and is a significant player in the plant-based category with many loyal fans,” said Hiroyuki Imanishi, president and CEO of Morinaga Nutritional Foods. “We’re excited to help bolster both Tofurky and Moocho’s presence in the US while strengthening manufacturing efficiencies and boosting new product development to meet ever-increasing marketplace demand.”