Known for their TV’s, consumer electronics, and appliances the Tempo Group of Companies, who are experiencing record growth for their food business, have acquired a health brand company with research revealing that Australian need to eat more healthy food if they are to live longer.

Tempo Executive Director, Nicholas Stergiotis told ChannelNews that the business had recently acquired Nourish Foods, the family-owned company behind the health food brands Whole Kids, Offbeat and Just Add, which went into voluntary administration last month, a purchase price for the business has not been announced.

Management are tipping that food could become the Companies main revenue generator “And a lot easier than consumer electronics and appliances” to sell into retailers.

Nourish Foods will join a stable of brands manufactured and sold by Tempo.

The acquisition will boost to four the number of food brands in Tempo’s portfolio, which also included the Paramount tinned salmon brand, Brunswick tinned sardines and Tripsas Olive Company.

Tempo acquired Paramount and Brunswick in 2021 from Freedom Foods and at the time the company said it was keen to grow its food and beverage division.

Monica Meldrum, the CEO of Nourish Foods, last month expressed her ‘heartbreak’ at having to call in administrators to the company after 18 years building a company with a mission of nurturing ‘healthy kids and a healthy world’.

However, she had hoped Nourish would be placed ‘in the best possible hands so that it’s legacy can continue, the business can realise the significant opportunities that we have secured and Nourish can go on to reach its full potential and everything we know it is capable of’.

“The acquisition of the Nourish Foods portfolio of brands forms an important strategic investment for the Tempo Group and builds upon our focus in expanding our existing Food & Beverage business within the health and wellness snacking segment.”

The statistics on Australians’ eating habits reveal that Australia has the freshest produce in the world and the agricultural industry is rich with grains, legumes, fruit and vegetables.

We also produce a tonne of animal products like meat, eggs and dairy; however, CSIRO research reveals that Australians need to eat far more of the products sold by the likes of Nourish Foods.

According to data collated for the CSIRO Healthy Diet Score report, the 235,000 Aussie adults who participated scored an average of 55 out of 100. The findings were sourced over an eight-year period between 2015 and 2023, and showed a bad pattern was emerging that only healthy food and a change in attitude will fix.

Founded in Melbourne in 2005 by Monica and James Meldrum, Nourish Foods launched the Whole Kids range of organic and allergen-friendly foods with the mission to create wholesome nutritious snacks for children without the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives.

Building on the success of Whole Kids, Nourish Foods launched two new food brands (Offbeat and Just Add) in 2023 as part of its ongoing strategy to evolve into a strong multi-brand business focused on creating innovative, healthier food options for the entire family.

As the first food company in Australia to become a certified B Corporation, Nourish Foods has also been committed to creating positive social and environmental impact, and has been part of a global community of business leaders using business as a force for good.

“The acquisition of Nourish Foods means that the brands and great products made popular by the founders can continue to service retail partners and customers in the Australian and New Zealand markets. For Tempo, this investment enhances our expanding food and beverage division as we look forward to growing all the Nourish brands and realising the vision that James and Monica have created,” Stergiotis said.

Nourish Foods Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Monica Meldrum said: “The Whole Kids brand has a strong and loyal customer base and has been leading the market with innovative products for almost two decades. With the addition of the new Offbeat and Just Add brands, we see the Nourish Foods range continue to grow and innovate under the new ownership of Tempo.”