Houston Harvest Gift Products, LLC (“HHGP”), headquartered in Franklin Park, Illinois, is one of the largest manufacturers and marketers of ready-to-eat popcorn in collectible gift canisters in the United States. The HHGP designs and manufactures a full line of popcorn products which are sold in decorative tins. HHGP is also one of the largest assemblers and marketers of food gift packages. HHGP’s products are sold primarily during the holiday gift season and are distributed principally through mass merchants and warehouse clubs.

In 1994 Merit provided subordinated debt to finance the recapitalization of Golden Harvest Products, Inc. In December 1997, Golden Harvest merged with Houston Foods, its largest competitor, to form HHGP.