Genesis Park, through its investment fund, Genesis Park Partners, LP, is pleased to announce its recent investment in The Healthy Lunch Box and Twelve Oaks Catering (collectively, “HLB”). HLB is the leading provider of school meals to charter schools in the Houston and Dallas metroplexes. Genesis Park provided a debt and equity investment in partnership with Riveter Capital (“Riveter”) and management to support the recapitalization and growth strategy of HLB.
With over 30 years of operating experience, HLB operates two commercial kitchens providing high quality, nutritious meals to students in K-12 charter schools in the Texas market. HLB serves breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner to schools, pre-schools, daycares and cafeterias in the Houston and Dallas markets. HLB is focused on low-income charter schools that qualify for financial reimbursement assistance under the National School Lunch Program (“NSLP”).
HLB is led by CEO, Claire Litz, who brings over a decade of experience in various nutritional and dietary roles with expertise in developing and managing school nutrition needs. Claire is supported by Riveter, whose partners, Sarah Abdel-Razek and Colleen Gurda, have extensive experience in school meal programs.
“Genesis Park’s stellar reputation and expansive Texas network make them the perfect partner for HLB. We are excited to enter the next phase of HLB’s lifecycle with a trusted partner who understands the needs of the business and is supportive of our future growth,” said CEO Claire Litz.
Riveter originally acquired The Healthy Lunch Box in 2021 and completed the add-on acquisition of Twelve Oaks Catering in 2023 to expand into the Dallas-Fort Worth market. As a part of this transaction, Genesis Park brings additional investment capacity to support HLB’s strategy to further expand its market presence in and outside of Texas.
“Partnering with Genesis Park marks an exciting new chapter for HLB. We are thrilled to collaborate with a team that shares our vision and drive, and we are confident that together we can continue the growth momentum, and support HLB as the market leader in providing nutritious, high-quality school meals, essential for learning and development,” said Riveter partner Sarah Abdel-Razek.
Gina Luna, Managing Partner of Genesis Park said, “HLB is an opportunity to partner with a women-owned and women-led business that is doing well while doing good. This team is committed to building a great business that provides students with tasty, nutritious food options that kids actually enjoy. We are excited to enable their growth strategy and mission to establish lifelong healthy eating habits for K-12 students.”
For more information, visit www.thehealthylunchbox.com and www.twelveoakscatering.com.
About The Healthy Lunch Box and Twelve Oaks Catering
With over 30 years of operating history, The Healthy Lunch Box (“HLB”) is a women-owned and women-led company that provides high quality, highly nutritious homemade healthy food to schools and day care centers in the greater Houston and Dallas metroplexes. HLB is a State of Texas approved Food Service Management Company, an approved TDA meat and poultry processor, and an approved USDA commodity processor. Together, HLB’s in-house dietitians strive to create meals that are both flavorful and nutritionally balanced, using simple, clean, and locally sourced ingredients. HLB’s mission is to offer healthy and tasty food options that will help children establish lifelong healthy eating habits.
For more information, visit www.thehealthylunchbox.com and www.twelveoakscatering.com.
About Genesis Park
Genesis Park is a Houston-based private investment firm. Its current investment fund, Genesis Park Partners, LP, is licensed as a Small Business Investment Company (“SBIC”) by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Genesis Park supports growth and later stage lower middle market businesses through flexible debt and equity capital solutions and strategic guidance. Genesis Park generally targets companies with at least $10 million of revenue and $3 million of EBITDA, with proven business models and seasoned management teams. Managed by three experienced investment professionals with broad regional relationships, Genesis Park is committed to partnering with the companies and management teams in which it invests to facilitate growth, transition, and success. For more information, visit www.genesis-park.com.
About Riveter Capital
Riveter is a women and minority owned private investment firm with a passion for supporting other women and minorities. Riveter focuses exclusively on this underserved demographic and looks for quality founder- and family-owned businesses to partner with. Riveter combines the experience of investment professionals and operators to bring a differentiated value-added strategy to the companies in which it invests. Riveter focuses on identifying businesses that it understands as both investors and consumers, and empowers founders by providing hands-on strategic, financial and operational support to help take companies to the next level. Riveter leverages its extensive network of operating partners and strategic advisors to bring deep industry expertise to its companies. For more information, visit www.rivetercapital.com.
