Consumers often say they want healthier foods — which sounds nice and they might believe it, but they might not do what they say.
It's a lot like people joining a gym or buying exercise equipment with the best of intentions. They truly plan to go every day when they join or hit the exercise bike when they've assembled it, but that's not always what happens.
Related: Another popular ice cream brand files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
The best of intentions can be derailed by a fast-food cheeseburger or pretty much any activity that isn't exercising. Intent is not the same as sales and that has damned countless healthy-food and exercise companies to failure.
It's why people ask McDonald's for salads and plant-based options but rarely order those items when they're added to the menu. The same approach has hurt companies like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods.
Some consumers say they want plant-based meats and other quality healthy foods, but many won't actually make the change.
They also might not pay extra for something that might be better for them. When they go to the grocery store, they often make the cheaper choice.
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Organic-food brand has struggled
Leroux Creek Food has slowly built itself into a regional and national player owning multiple brands: Colorado Apple Co., Farmhand Fermented Foods, Ozuké, and Wacky Apple,
The company also offers white-label and co-packing services.
"Leroux Creek Food Corp, an operating fruit and vegetable cannery located in Hotchkiss, Colo., was started by Edward Tuft and his family in 1986. Leroux Creek Foods owns and operates approximately 200+ acres of certified organic orchards," according to its website.
From a modest beginning the company built itself into a major player in organic fruit and other organic spaces.
"In 1988 Leroux Creek Foods started by making dehydrated organic fruits," the company writes. "Eventually, they grew into becoming the first company to produce gourmet flavored apple sauces. Leroux Creek Foods has successfully been manufacturing gourmet applesauce for its own brand, as well as packing private label for other major grocery store chains across the country since its beginning."
Leroux expanded to a diverse product line that includes some nontraditional items.
"They take pride in all their fruit production; from fresh apples to flavored applesauce, to fruit purees sold as ingredients to other manufacturing companies. In recent years, the company added the production of organic, live active, fermented sauerkrauts and kimchi," it added.
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Leroux Creek Food files Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Leroux Creek Food Corp. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Aug. 27 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Colorado in Denver. The company reported between $1 million and $10 million in both debts and assets.
The company also reported between 50 and 99 creditors. Its filing does not include a financing plan.
Leroux Creek has not disclosed any information about its bankruptcy on its website or Facebook page. (The Facebook page has not been updated since 2021.)
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The company's foods are certified organic by the Colorado Department of Agriculture and certified kosher by Natural Foods Certifiers.
"We got our start growing delicious sweet organic apples and blending these naturally sweet apples with various organic fruits to create tasty flavored apple sauces for you and your family to enjoy," the website says.
"Family-owned, family grown is our motto! Leroux Creek Foods is committed to growing and producing products that enhance the land, the community, and the consumer. When you purchase our products, you are supporting small family farms, a healthier environment, and a healthy lifestyle."
Leroux did not immediately return a request for comment.
