Sparta Announces Private-Label Program

Sparta Foods, Inc. (St. Paul, MN) has started production of two new private-label tortilla chip snack products. The new products, 6.7-oz individual packages of tortilla chips and salsa and tortilla chips and nacho cheese, were developed in an alliance with Rupari Food Services, Inc., Deerfield Beach, FL.

"We are very pleased that these new items are now in production and will shortly be available to retail customers nationwide," said Joel Bachul, president and CEO. "Our agreement with Rupari provides for joint marketing initiatives aimed at a national distribution program for the new Banditos brand. To accommodate the expected production volume, we will be adding up to $1.2 million in new production equipment and up to 30 new jobs in our existing New Brighton, MN, manufacturing facility."

Sparta Foods previously announced that it expects sales of $3 to $4 million from sales of the new items in its fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 1999.