Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (2) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 25, 2022. Based upon the evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable assurance level.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 25, 2022 based on the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework). Based on the results of its evaluation, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 25, 2022.
Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm
This Annual Report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm due to an exemption for “emerging growth companies.”
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal year ended December 25, 2022 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign J urisdictions that Prevent Inspections
Not Applicable.
88
Part III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Off icers and Corporate Governance
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information set forth in the sections titled “Proposal 1 – Election of Directors,” “Executive Officers,” and “Information Regarding the Board and Corporate Governance” and “Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports,” if any, in our proxy statement for our 2023 annual meeting of stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended December 25, 2022, or the 2023 Proxy Statement.
Information regarding our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, or the Code of Conduct, required by this item will be contained in our 2023 Proxy Statement under the caption "Information Regarding the Board and Corporate Governance - Code of Business Conduct and Ethics," and is hereby incorporated by reference. If we make any substantive amendments to the Code of Conduct or grant any waiver from a provision of the Code of Conduct to any executive officer or director, we will promptly disclose the nature of the amendment or waiver on its website. The full text of our Code of Conduct is available at the Investor Relations section of our website at www.vitalfarms.com. The reference to our website address does not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained at or available through our website, and you should not consider it to be part of this Annual Report.
Item 11. Executi ve Compensation
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information set forth in the section titled “Executive Officer and Director Compensation” in our 2023 Proxy Statement.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Ow ners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information set forth in the section titled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in our 2023 Proxy Statement.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Relate d Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information set forth in the section titled “Transactions with Related Persons” and “Information Regarding the Board and Corporate Governance – Board Independence” in our 2023 Proxy Statement.
Item 14. Principal Accou ntant Fees and Services
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information set forth in the sections titled “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees” and “Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures” contained in our 2023 Proxy Statement.
89
Part IV
Item 15. Exhibit and Financial Statement Schedules
(a)(1) Financial Statements.
Reference is made to the financial statements included in Item 8 of Part II hereof.
(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules.
All schedules have been omitted because they are not required or because the required information is given in the Financial Statements or Notes thereto.
(a)(3) Exhibits.
Exhibit
Number
Description
3.1
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as currently in effect (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-39411), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on August 4, 2020).
3.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws, as currently in effect (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-39411), filed with the SEC on August 4, 2020).
4.1
Form of Common Stock Certificate (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-239772), filed with the SEC on July 24, 2020).
4.2
Ninth Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement, by and among the Registrant and certain of its stockholders, dated July 6, 2020 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-239772), filed with the SEC on July 9, 2020).
4.3
Description of Registered Securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-39411) filed with the SEC on March 24, 2021) .
10.1+
2013 Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-239772), filed with the SEC on July 9, 2020).
10.2+
Forms of Grant Notice, Stock Option Agreement and Stock Purchase Agreement under the 2013 Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-239772), filed with the SEC on July 9, 2020).
10.3+
2020 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Registrant’s Registration on Form S-8 (File No. 333-240258), filed with the SEC on July 31, 2020).
10.4+
Forms of Grant Notice, Stock Option Agreement and Notice of Exercise under the 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-239772), filed with the SEC on July 9, 2020).
10.5+
Forms of Employee Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice and Award Agreement under the 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-239772), filed with the SEC on July 9, 2020).
10.6+
Forms of Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice and Award Agreement under the 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-239772), filed with the SEC on July 9, 2020).
10.7+
2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.12 to the Registrant’s Registration on Form S-8 (File No. 333-240258), filed with the SEC on July 31, 2020).
10.8+
Form of Indemnity Agreement, by and between the Registrant and each director and executive officer (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-239772), filed with the SEC on July 9, 2020).
10.9+
Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-39411), filed with the SEC on November 3, 2022).
10.10+
Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the Registrant and Russell Diez-Canseco, dated as of April 1, 2022 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-39411), filed with the SEC on May 5, 2022).
90
10.11+
Offer Letter between the Registrant and Joanne Bal, dated as of March 5, 2021 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-39411) filed with the SEC on March 10, 2022).
10.12+
Offer Letter between the Registrant and Stephanie Coon, dated as of May 24, 2021 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-39411) filed with the SEC on March 10, 2022).
10.13+
Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the Registrant and Jason Dale, dated as of April 1, 2022 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-39411), filed with the SEC on May 5, 2022).
10.14+
Offer Letter between the Registrant and Kathryn McKeon, dated as of January 10, 2022 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-39411) filed with the SEC on March 10, 2022).
10.15+
Offer Letter between the Registrant and Bo Meissner, dated as of June 30, 2020 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File. No. 001-39411) filed with the SEC on March 24, 2021) .
10.16+
Offer Letter between the Registrant and Peter Pappas, dated as of October 30, 2020 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File. No. 001-39411) filed with the SEC on March 24, 2021).
10.17+
Change in Control Severance Plan, effective March 31, 2022, and form Participation Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-39411), filed with the SEC on May 5, 2022).
10.18
Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement, by and between the Registrant, the Borrowers party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and PNC Bank, National Association (as Lender and as Agent), dated October 4, 2017 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-239772), filed with the SEC on July 9, 2020).
10.19
First Amendment to Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement, by and between the Registrant, the Borrowers party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and PNC Bank, National Association (as Lender and as Agent), dated April 13, 2018 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-239772), filed with the SEC on July 9, 2020).
10.20
Second Amendment to Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement, by and between the Registrant, the Borrowers party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and PNC Bank, National Association (as Lender and as Agent), dated April 28, 2018 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-239772), filed with the SEC on July 9, 2020).
10.21
Third Amendment to Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement, by and between the Registrant, the Borrowers party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and PNC Bank, National Association (as Lender and as Agent), dated February 7, 2019 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-239772), filed with the SEC on July 9, 2020).
10.22
Fourth Amendment to Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement, by and between the Registrant, the Borrowers party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and PNC Bank, National Association (as Lender and as Agent), dated February 24, 2020 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-239772), filed with the SEC on July 9, 2020).
10.23
Fifth Amendment to Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement, by and between the Registrant, the Borrowers party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and PNC Bank, National Association (as Lender and as Agent), dated May 11, 2020 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-239772), filed with the SEC on July 9, 2020).
10.24
Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Note executed and delivered by the Registrant and the Borrowers party thereto, dated May 11, 2020 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-239772), filed with the SEC on July 9, 2020).
10.25
Sixth Amendment to Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement, by and between the Registrant, the Borrowers party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and PNC Bank, National Association (as Lender and as Agent), dated June 18, 2020 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-239772), filed with the SEC on July 9, 2020).
10.26
Amended and Restated Term Loan Note executed and delivered by the Registrant and the Borrowers party thereto, dated June 18, 2020 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-239772), filed with the SEC on July 9, 2020).
10.27
Seventh Amendment to Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement, by and between the Registrant, the Borrowers party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and PNC Bank, National Association (as Lender and as Agent), dated
91
July 8, 2020 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-239772), filed with the SEC on July 9, 2020).
10.28
Eighth Amendment to Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement, by and between the Registrant, the Borrowers party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and PNC Bank, National Association (as Lender and as Agent), dated October 5, 2020 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-39411), filed with the SEC on March 24, 2021).
10.29
Ninth Amendment to Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Term Loan and Security Agreement, by and between the Registrant, the Borrowers party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and PNC Bank, National Association (as Lender and as Agent), dated April 2, 2021 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-39411), filed with the SEC on August 10, 2021).
10.30
Tenth Amendment to Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Term Loan and Security Agreement, by and between the Registrant, the Borrowers party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and PNC Bank, National Association (as Lender and as Agent), dated December 29, 2022.
10.31
Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Note executed and delivered by the Registrant and the Borrowers party thereto, dated April 2, 2021 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-39411), filed with the SEC on August 10, 2021).
21.1
List of Subsidiaries of Company.
23.1
Consent of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm.
31.1
Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1*
Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
+ Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan.
* Furnished herewith and not deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act (whether made before or after the date of the Form 10-K), irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing.
Item 16. Form 10–K Summary
None.
92
SIGNA TURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
VITAL FARMS, INC.
Date: March 9, 2023
By:
/s/ Russell Diez-Canseco
Name:
Russell Diez-Canseco
Title:
President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose individual signature appears below hereby authorizes and appoints Russell Diez-Canseco and Bo Meissner, and each of them, with full power of substitution and resubstitution and full power to act without the other, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent to act in his or her name, place and stead and to execute in the name and on behalf of each person, individually and in each capacity stated below, and to file any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing, ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their or his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons, on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Russell Diez-Canseco
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
March 9, 2023
Russell Diez-Canseco
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Bo Meissner
Chief Financial Officer
March 9, 2023
Bo Meissner
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Jeffery S. Dawson
Chief Accounting Officer
March 9, 2023
Jeffery S. Dawson
(Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ Matthew O’Hayer
Executive Chairperson and Director
March 9, 2023
Matthew O’Hayer
/s/ Kofi Amoo-Gottfried
Director
March 9, 2023
Kofi Amoo-Gottfried
/s/ Glenda Flanagan
Director
March 9, 2023
Glenda Flanagan
/s/ Kelly Kennedy
Director
March 9, 2023
Kelly Kennedy
/s/ Karl Khoury
Director
March 9, 2023
Karl Khoury
/s/ Denny Marie Post
Director
March 9, 2023
Denny Marie Post
/s/ Gisel Ruiz
Director
March 9, 2023
Gisel Ruiz
93
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.