Hometown Food Company names Tom Polke as CEO and president

Hometown Food Company, a portfolio company of US private equity firm Brynwood Partners, has appointed Tom Polke as its new CEO and president.

Polke brings with him over 16 years of senior leadership from Ferrara Candy Company, where he has served as the group’s president since 2012 and most recently as its chief integration officer.

He led the merger between Ferrara Pan and Farley’s & Sathers to create Ferrara Candy Company. In November 2017, Ferrero announced it had secured a deal to acquire Ferrara Candy, the third largest manufacturer of non-chocolate confectionery in the US. 

Following his appointment, Polke will be based out of the company’s Chicago, Illinois headquarters.

“We are delighted to announce the addition of Tom Polke to the Hometown Food team. Tom’s extensive background managing complex businesses in the food category will immediately benefit the business,” said Henk Hartong, Brynwood Partners’ chairman and CEO. 

Brynwood Partners created Hometown Food Company in June 2018 to acquire JM Smucker’s US baking business in a $375 million deal.

Meanwhile, in 2019, Hain Celestial divested its Arrowhead Mills and SunSpire brands to Hometown Food Company for $15 million as it continued to offload assets. 

Hometown Food Company’s portfolio of brands also include Pillsbury, Hungry Jack, Martha White and Funfetti.