Jack Aronson, who cofounded Ferndale-based Garden Fresh Gourmet and ultimately sold it to the Campbell Soup Co., is part of a plan to buy the company back.

Aronson said Monday his group is in the hunt and he believes there are three companies left in contention. “We made it to the third round, hopefully things keep progressing and we are awarded with the opportunity.”

Aronson said his bidding group includes Dave Zilko, who did all the sales for Garden Fresh, and Bob Sharpe, who Aronson described as “one of the savviest operators, who ran one of the largest meat companies and bakery companies.”

“I think this group serves the best interest of the brand, the community and the employees,” Aronson said.

He said what drove them to bid for the company — which was noted as the largest fresh salsa company in the world before being sold to Campbell’s — was the rumor that a company from Canada was bidding.

“Whether that’s true or not, it sounded like reliable information,” he said. "When we heard there was a possibility it could move out of town, we got aggressive."

Garden Fresh Gourmet was founded by Jack and Annette Aronson in the late 1990s. The fresh salsa the Aronsons made in the kitchen of their then barbecue restaurant in Ferndale has grown to be a top-selling refrigerated salsa. Other products from Garden Fresh Gourmet include soups, dips, hummus and tortilla chips.

More on freep.com:

Here are the 10 best new restaurants in metro Detroit

Here's why you should make sea scallops for your hungry Valentine

The Aronsons sold Garden Fresh to Campbell's in 2015 for $231 million. But last August, Campbell Soup announced it was selling Garden Fresh as well as Campbell’s fresh market division and Campbell International.

At that time, the Aronsons told the Free Press, "Although we're disappointed that the synergies between Campbell Soup and its fresh division weren't realized, we are very happy that their core business will likely have a future here in North America."

The also said they "continue to hold Campbell ownership and family — and especially its iconic brand — in high esteem as it charts a course for a brighter tomorrow."

They added: "It is our fervent hope that Garden Fresh will remain an integral part of the community of Ferndale, Michigan."

Campbell Soup declined to comment Monday on Aronson's attempt to buy back the company.

"We don't comment on rumor or speculation and details of the sale process are confidential," a Campbell's spokesman said.

They added, "Garden Fresh Gourmet is an attractive business made up of strong brands. We’re pleased with the level of interest from a range of potential buyers."

Campbell's announced the sale in order to focus on its core North American business. Its fresh food business includes Garden Fresh, Bolthouse Farms — fresh juices and carrots — and the company's refrigerated soup line.

Garden Fresh Gourmet, when the Aronson's sold it, employed about 450.

Aronson said Monday he's optimistic about his buy-back bid because “Campbell’s has their employees' best interest.”

“After they bought (Garden Fresh), they gave raises, they did lots of things … they started a healthy community initiative."

Aronson also noted that Campbell’s switched gears, getting out of the fresh business and staying with their core business.

“They’ve done a really good job at that for 150 years, nobody's done it better than them. I am confident they’ll let us continue, that’s my gut reaction,” he said. "They’ve always done what’s best for a community and what’s best for employees and I think that’s going to continue.”

Contact Susan Selasky at 313-222-6872 or sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @susanmariecooks on Twitter.