As reported in Supermarket News Midwest Specialty Distributor Kehe Foods purchased Tree of Life Tree of Life for $190 million.

The sale did not include Panos Brands which Dutch conglomerate Royal Wessanen is reportedly still seeking to sell. Panos' specialty and natural brands include Soya Kaas soy cheese, MiDel cookies, Kame Asian sepcialty foods, and Sesmark crackers among others.

Kehe manages a large number of accounts and in 2008 expanded its management to include key personnel devoted to its growing natural and organic business.

Tree, once the leading distributor has been plagued with many problems, including but not limited to its inability to compete with United Natural Foods.