Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Q2 net sales were $424.4 million, down 4.5% year-over-year, with base business down 4.2% [6][17] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q2 was $58 million, a decrease of $5 million or 9.3% compared to the previous year [6][16] - Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales was 13.7% for the year [16][28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The frozen and vegetables business unit saw a segment adjusted EBITDA decline of $6.5 million due to higher costs and trade spend [6][10] - The specialty business unit experienced an 8% decline in net sales, primarily due to lower Crisco oil pricing, but segment adjusted EBITDA improved by 3% [7][20] - Meals segment net sales declined by 3.5%, but adjusted EBITDA increased by 7.7% [20] - Spices and Flavor Solutions saw a slight decline in net sales, impacted by commodity cost increases [23][24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. frozen vegetables business is expected to turn profitable in the second half of the year, with an increase in segment adjusted EBITDA of $8 million to $10 million [13] - Negative foreign exchange impacts have moderated, and a better cost environment is anticipated for the frozen and vegetables business unit [22][27] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on reshaping its portfolio through divestitures to improve margins and cash flow, aiming for adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales to approach 20% [8][10] - Future divestitures are expected to further focus the portfolio and reduce leverage [10][32] - The company aims to reduce leverage to six times within the next twelve months through divestiture proceeds and improved cash flow [15][39] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expects solid improvement in the second half of fiscal 2025, with net sales projected to be flat to slightly positive [11][36] - The company anticipates a modestly softer economic environment impacting consumer spending patterns [35][36] - Management is committed to reducing leverage and balance sheet risk while stabilizing adjusted EBITDA [15][39] Other Important Information - Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by 9.4% to $47.2 million, reflecting higher consumer marketing expenses [28] - The company generated $17.8 million in net cash from operations during Q2, an increase from $11.3 million in the prior year [30] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on core business expectations - Management indicated that base business net sales are expected to be down about 1% to 2% in the second half, factoring in the benefit from the fifty-third week [42][44] Question: Impact of tariffs and pricing actions - Management noted that the majority of tariff exposure is in spices and flavor solutions, and they expect to implement pricing actions to recover tariff costs [51][53] Question: EBITDA and net debt clarification - Management confirmed that net debt was reduced to approximately $1.9 billion following recent divestitures, with proceeds around $59 million [60][61] Question: Performance of spices and flavor solutions - Management acknowledged that the spices and flavor solutions business has not met expectations, but they anticipate slight improvement in the back half of the year [67][68] Question: Future asset sales and divestitures - Management confirmed ongoing discussions with strategic buyers for potential asset sales, indicating that more announcements could be expected [77][78]