Sweet Harvest Foods, makers of Mel-O honey, PB Crave peanut butter and other food products, is moving its headquarters staff to Rosemount.

Fifteen to 20 people will be moving into new office space in the Rosemount Business Park, south of County Road 42 and east of Hwy. 3.

The company has simply run out of space at its Cannon Falls, Minn., location, where it produces its honey in distinctive plastic honey bear containers, the John Mountain Organics honey, peanut butter and store-brand pancake syrups, said President and COO Brian McGregor.

Founder Melford Olson (Mel-0) started selling his own honey at farmers markets in 1923. He and his family owned the company for 75 years. It is now owned by Curt Riess and his family.

McGregor said Sweet Harvest is just a small family-owned company, but it's been growing in leaps and bounds.

The production facilities will stay in Cannon Falls.

"We're just moving a few people up the road," McGregor said.

Rosemount officials are glad to have them.

"We're always looking for new job opportunities in Rosemount so our residents don't have to commute," said Kim Lindquist, Rosemount's community development director. The additional workers "are great for our retail base, too. They've all got to eat."

Sweet Harvest already had warehouse space in the Rosemount Business Park. The move means it will lease the whole 108,000 square-foot building.

Pat Pheifer • 952-746-3284