Youngevity buys New York Mediterranean diet company

Youngevity International Inc. of South Jordan has acquired New York-based BellaVita, a producer of products based on the Mediterranean diet. Youngevity is a global direct sales marketer of nutritional and lifestyle products and a producer of gourmet coffees. The company will include BellaVita’s products on its website as of June 1.

Financial details were not disclosed.

Mike Brosnan, CEO and president of BellaVita, is joining Youngevity as vice president of sales and marketing for Asia. All of the BellaVita offices in Asia will remain open and are now incorporated into Youngevity operations. A number of BellaVita’s U.S.-based employees will join the Youngevity Utah office and continue to service the Asian market.

“The BellaVita acquisition represents a true extension of our mission of betterment, our commitment to quality and our shared passion in optimal health,” said Steve Wallach, CEO and cofounder of Youngevity. “Furthermore, the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle ingredient basis of the product lines continues to grow in popularity across Asia and are only beginning to be fully recognized in the U.S. market — which we expect will make this acquisition a key driver of our overall global expansion strategy.” 

“BellaVita understands the nuance, culture and technology of the Asian market,” said Dave Briskie, president and CFO of Youngevity. “BellaVita, whose culture mirrors Youngevity’s, offers us a strong synergistic partner in Asia with its tight-knit community of distributors, its established customers and its loyal employees who deliver on the brand promise. This acquisition should provide a strong foothold in Asia through established offices, including the countries of Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Japan.”

“BellaVita’s focus on Mediterranean health and Mediterranean whole food inspired products fit perfectly into the Youngevity culture and contribute to Youngevity’s core offerings,” said  Brosnan. “We have worked with Steve and Michelle Wallach, Dave Briskie and the Youngevity management team and have been so impressed with the shared commitment to providing the highest-quality products and experiences possible.”

Youngevity was formed by the 2011 merger of Youngevity Essential Life Sciences with Javalution Coffee Co., which is now part of the company’s food and beverage division.