Hometown Food Company, a US-based business owned by private-equity firm Brynwood Partners, has appointed confectionery veteran Tom Polke as its president and chief executive.

Polke is joining Hometown Food from Ferrara Candy Co. where has served as chief integration officer and also president in a career spanning 16 years at the US company.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

Hometown Food was created in 2018 by Greenwich, Connecticut-based Brynwood Partners to house the food assets acquired from J.M. Smucker. And last year, the business went on to purchase the Arrowhead Mills and Sunspire brands from another US peer Hain Celestial.   

The majority of products produced by Hometown Food are manufactured in two facilities in Toledo, Ohio, and in Hereford, Texas. The company employs almost 300 people.

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

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Food Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Food Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving food industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now