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] - Q2 adjusted EBITDA was $58 million, a decrease of $5 million or 9.3% compared to last year [6][16] - Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales was 13.7% for the 2025 fiscal year [16][27] - Adjusted net income was $2.9 million or $0.04 per adjusted diluted share, down from $6.6 million or $0.08 per adjusted diluted share in the previous year [27] 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][7] - 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][18] - Meals segment net sales declined by $3.8 million or 3.5%, but adjusted EBITDA increased by $1.8 million or 7.7% [18] - Spices and Flavor Solutions saw a slight decline in net sales of less than $2 million, with commodity costs increasing [21][22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. frozen vegetables business is expected to turn profitable with an increase in segment adjusted EBITDA of $8 million to $10 million compared to last year [13] - Negative foreign exchange impacts have moderated, and a better cost environment is anticipated for the frozen and vegetables business unit [20][25] - Approximately 90% of net sales are to U.S. customers, with 80% to 85% of products sourced from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico [35] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to achieve adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales approaching 20%, reduce leverage closer to five times, and improve cash flow generation [8][15] - Recent divestitures are part of a strategy to reshape the portfolio for higher margins and cash flows [10][30] - The company is committed to reducing net debt and leverage ratio over the next twelve months [36] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expects solid improvement in the second half of fiscal year 2025, with flat to slightly positive net sales and year-over-year growth in adjusted EBITDA [11][12] - The company anticipates a modestly softer economic environment impacting consumer spending patterns [33] - Management is optimistic about stabilizing top-line performance and managing input costs effectively [34] Other Important Information - Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased by 9.4% to $47.2 million, reflecting higher consumer marketing expenses [26] - The company generated $17.8 million in net cash from operations during Q2 2025, compared to $11.3 million in Q2 2024 [28] - The company expects to reduce pro forma net leverage ratio to less than six times by the end of the next year [36] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the expected organic sales interpretation for the second half? - Management indicated that base business net sales are projected to be down about 1% to 2% after accounting for the 53rd week benefit [39][40] Question: How are retailers responding to pricing actions related to tariffs? - Management noted that most tariff exposure is in spices and flavor solutions, and they expect to implement pricing actions to recover tariff costs [48][50] Question: What is the EBITDA for the divested brands? - Management did not disclose EBITDA for the divested brands, as it is a sale to a private company [55] Question: What is the current leverage ratio and availability on the cash flow revolver? - The leverage ratio is approximately 6.8 times, providing a cushion of about 0.7 turns [60] Question: Are there any changes in sourcing to mitigate spice and seasoning tariffs? - Management is exploring alternative sourcing but noted that most spices are sourced from countries already subject to tariffs [66]

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]