McConnon speaks with Morning Sentinel about sale of Backyard Farms
Jim McConnon, a University of Maine Cooperative Extension specialist and professor of economics at UMaine, spoke with the Morning Sentinel for an article about Madison, Maine tomato-growing company Backyard Farms being sold to Mastronardi Produce Ltd., of Kingsville, Ontario, Canada. McConnon said these kinds of deals are standard across all industries, and the purchase could be a catalyst for further growth at Madison’s largest employer. For Backyard Farms, the merger with a larger brand could help it market its products better in the United States, according to McConnon. “Backyard Farms has a unique brand and a pretty solid brand in that particular market niche and product category,” he said. “I would expect that to be maintained and further marketed.” Given Mastronardi’s reach across North America, McConnon said he would expect Backyard Farms will grow its production. “Time will tell what the local impact is going to be, but I expect that it will support further growth and sustainability of Backyard Farms here in Maine,” he said.