Litehouse Foods

Retailers factor in all kinds of variables when evaluating suppliers and a recent change at sauce and dressing manufacturer Litehouse gives sellers of food and consumables something new to think about.

The 50-year-old family owned Litehouse company based in Sandpoint, Idaho recently became 100% employee owned following the execution of an employee stock ownership plan. Litehouse first formed an ESOP plan in 2006 when it sold 30% of the company as a commitment to employees and their communities.

Strong sales and market share gains for Opa by Litehouse Feta Dill Greek Yogurt earned the new product the Dressing of the Year award from The Association for Dressings & Sauces.

The dressing and sauce group held its annual meeting in Naples, Fl., recently and bestowed top honors on Litehouse due to the impressive performance of Feta Dill Greek Yogurt. In one year, the new product became the best-selling dressing in the market accounting for 21% of the yogurt refrigerated salad dressing category, according to Litehouse.