A farming business with operations across Australia has entered voluntary administration, putting some 500 jobs at risk.
HS Fresh Food, which specialises in fresh salads, ready-made meals, snacks, food-to-go and pre-prepared vegetables products, collapsed on June 14, with FTI Consulting administrators Vaughan Strawbridge, Joanne Dunn and Ben Campbell brought in to restructure the troubled company.
The company’s brands include Houston’s Farm, Sunfresh and Gourmet Selections, with its products shipped to major retailers including Coles and Woolworths.
According to its LinkedIn profile, the company has between 500 and 1000 employees.
In a statement on Monday, the administrators said they would to seek to restructure or sell the business while continuing operations, which means the firm will continue to trade and workers will hold their jobs during the administration process.
“We are working with HS Fresh Food Group’s management team and staff, and other stakeholders to continue operations while we secure the future of the business,” Mr Strawbridge said.
“A sale process for the business and assets of the HS Fresh Food Group was undertaken and in advanced stages at the time our appointment. We intend to continue this process, while exploring all available options, and are confident of completing a sale and/or recapitalisation of the business in an expedited time frame with the support of all relevant stakeholders.”
The company started out in Tasmania as Houston’s Farms before expanding to operations in NSW, South Australia, Queensland and WA.