B&G Foods Inc. has agreed to sell its Back to Nature brand to Barilla America.

“Our decision to sell Back to Nature is part of a broader effort at B&G Foods to focus our portfolio on businesses that are core to our long-term strategy as we transition to a business unit structure,” said Casey Keller, president and CEO, B&G Foods. “The divestiture will also allow us to reduce long-term debt, while providing Barilla America with a great brand.”

The sale is expected to close in the first quarter of 2023. B&G Foods intends to use the net proceeds from the sale to repay long-term debt. The terms of the sale were not disclosed.

With headquarters in Parsippany, NJ, B&G Foods and its subsidiaries manufacture, sell, and distribute food throughout the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

Barilla America is a family-owned business and one of the leading providers of pastas and sauces in the US.