SPARTA FOODS INC
POS AM, 1996-07-18
MISCELLANEOUS FOOD PREPARATIONS & KINDRED PRODUCTS
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      As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 18, 1996
                            Registration No. 333-4559


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549




                         POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933




                               SPARTA FOODS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

         Minnesota                                41-1618240
(State or other jurisdiction of                (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                 Identification No.)

                               2570 Kasota Avenue
                         St. Paul, Minnesota 55108-1505
                                 (612) 646-1888
  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                   registrant's principal executive offices)



              JOEL P. BACHUL, President and Chief Executive Officer
                               Sparta Foods, Inc.
                               2570 Kasota Avenue
                         St. Paul, Minnesota 55108-1505
                                 (612) 646-1888
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,including area code, 
                             of agent for service)


                                   Copies to:
                                 THOMAS R. KING
                                DANIEL A. YARANO
                            Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
                            1100 International Centre
                             900 Second Avenue South
                          Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
                                 (612) 347-7000


     Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:  From time
to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement as determined by
market conditions and other factors.

     If the only  securities  being  registered  on this form are being  offered
pursuant to dividend or interest  reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. [ ]

     If any of the securities  being offered on this form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous  basis  pursuant to Rule 415 under the  Securities  Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, please check the following box. [ X ]

     The registrant amends this Registration  Statement on such date or dates as
may be necessary to delay its effective date until the  registrant  shall file a
further amendment which  specifically  states that this  Registration  Statement
shall  thereafter  become  effective  in  accordance  with  Section  8(a) of the
Securities  Act of  1933 or  until  this  Registration  Statement  shall  become
effective on such date as the Commission,  acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.

   
     This  post-effective  amendment is also being filed to de-register  435,369
shares of Common Stock to be offered by selling shareholders, (the "Shares") and
153,346  shares of Common  Stock to be  offered  by  selling  shareholders  upon
exercise of outstanding warrants (the "Warrant Shares"). Such shares and Warrant
Shares were registered under  Registration  Statement on Form S-3,  Registration
No. 333-4559.
    

<PAGE>


                                   PROSPECTUS

                               SPARTA FOODS, INC.

                        6,185,400 Shares of Common Stock



   
     This Prospectus  relates to the offer and sale of up to 6,185,400 shares of
Common Stock par value of $.01 per share, (the "Shares"), of Sparta Foods, Inc.,
a  Minnesota   corporation  ("Sparta"  or  the  "Company")  by  certain  Selling
Shareholders (the "Selling  Shareholders").  Of such Shares, (i) an aggregate of
3,206,500 Shares may be offered and sold by certain Selling  Shareholders of the
Company's Common Stock, and (ii) an aggregate of 2,978,900 Shares may be offered
and sold by certain Selling  Shareholders who may exercise  outstanding Warrants
and resell the Shares  pursuant to this  Prospectus.  See "Principal and Selling
Shareholders."  The Company will receive  proceeds from any Warrants that may be
exercised in  connection  herewith,  but will not receive any proceeds  from the
sale of any Shares by the Selling Shareholders.
    

     The Selling  Shareholders have advised the Company that all or a portion of
the  Shares  offered  by them  may be  sold  from  time  to time by the  Selling
Shareholders. Such sales may be made in the over-the-counter market or otherwise
at prices and at terms then  prevailing or at prices related to the then current
market price, or in negotiated transactions.  The Shares may be sold through one
or more of the following:  (a) ordinary brokerage or market making  transactions
and transactions in which the broker or dealer solicits purchasers;  (b) a block
trade in which the broker or dealer so engaged  will  attempt to sell the Shares
as agent but may  position  and  resell a portion of the block as  principal  to
facilitate the transaction;  and (c) purchase by a broker or dealer as principal
and resale by such broker or dealer for its account pursuant to this Prospectus.
In effecting sales,  brokers or dealers engaged by the Selling  Shareholders may
arrange for other  brokers or dealers to  participate.  Brokers or dealers  will
receive commissions or discounts from the Selling  Shareholders in amounts to be
negotiated  immediately prior to the sale. Such brokers or dealers and any other
participating  brokers or dealers may be deemed to be "underwriters"  within the
meaning of the Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,  (the  "Securities  Act") in
connection with such sales.  In addition,  any Shares covered by this Prospectus
which  qualify for sale  pursuant to Rule 144 under this  Securities  Act may be
sold under Rule 144 rather  than  pursuant to this  Prospectus.  The Company has
agreed to maintain this  registration  until the earlier of the date the Selling
Shareholders  sell all of their  Shares,  Rule 144 is  available to such Selling
Shareholders  or two  years  from  the  date of this  Prospectus.  See  "Plan of
Distribution."

     The  Company  will  bear all  expenses  of the  offering  (estimated  to be
$20,000), except that the Selling Shareholders will pay any applicable
underwriter's commissions and expenses, brokerage fees or transfer taxes, as
well as any fees and disbursements of counsel and experts for the Selling
Shareholders.  The Company and the Selling Shareholders have agreed to indemnify
each other against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the
Securities Act.

   
     The Company's  Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq  SmallCap  Market under
the symbol  "SPFO." The closing bid price of the Company's  Common Stock on July
15, 1996, as reflected on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market was $2.00 per share.
    

                             -----------------------

                FOR INFORMATION CONCERNING CERTAIN RISKS RELATING
                 TO AN INVESTMENT IN THE COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK
                        SEE "INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS."
                             -----------------------

     THESE  SECURITIES  HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR  DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  OR  ANY  STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION  NOR  HAS  THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR ANY STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION  PASSED
UPON THE  ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS  PROSPECTUS.  ANY  REPRESENTATION  TO THE
CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                 The date of this Prospectus is July ___, 1996.


<PAGE>



     No  person  is  authorized  to  give  any   information   or  to  make  any
representations, other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus,  in connection with the offering  contemplated hereby, and, if given
or made, such information or  representations  must not be relied upon as having
been authorized by the Company.  This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to
sell  or a  solicitation  of an  offer  to buy any  securities  other  than  the
registered  securities to which it relates.  This Prospectus does not constitute
an offer to sell or a  solicitation  of an  offer to buy any  securities  in any
jurisdiction  to any  person  to  whom it is  unlawful  to make  such  offer  or
solicitation in such  jurisdiction.  Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor
any sale made hereunder shall, under any  circumstances,  create any implication
that  there has been no  change in the  affairs  of the  Company  since the date
hereof or that the information  contained or incorporated by reference herein is
correct as of any time subsequent to its date.


                              AVAILABLE INFORMATION

     The Company is subject to the informational  requirements of the Securities
Exchange  Act of 1934,  as  amended  (the  "Exchange  Act"),  and in  accordance
therewith  files  reports,  proxy  statements  and  other  information  with the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission  (the  "Commission").  Such reports,  proxy
statements  and other  information  can be  inspected  at the  public  reference
facilities  maintained by the Commission at Room 1024,  450 Fifth Street,  N.W.,
Washington, D.C., 20549, and at the Commission's regional offices in New York (7
World Trade Center,  Suite 1300,  New York,  New York 10048) and Chicago  (Suite
1400,  Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison,  Chicago,  Illinois 60661).
Copies of such material can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street,  N.W.,  Washington,  D.C.  20549,  at
prescribed rates.


                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

     The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission are hereby
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus:

 1. The Company's annual report on Form 10-KSB (Commission File No. 0-19318)
    for its 1995 fiscal year ended September 30, 1995.

 2. The Company's Form 10-KSB/A No. 1 (Commission File No. 0-19318) for its
    1995 fiscal year ended September 30, 1995.

 3. The Company's report on Form 8-K (Commission File No. 0-19318) dated
    February 2, 1996.

 4. The Company's quarterly report on Form 10-QSB (Commission File No. 
    0-19318) for its fiscal quarter ended December 31, 1995.

 5. The Company's quarterly report on Form 10-QSB (Commission File No.
    0-19318) for its fiscal quarter ended March 31, 1996.

<PAGE>


 6. The description of the Company's Common Stock, $.01 par value,
    which  is  contained  or  incorporated  by  reference  in  the
    Company's Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (Commission File
    No.  0-019318)  filed  under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as
    amended,  including  any  amendment  or  report  filed for the
    purpose of updating such description.

     All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the  Exchange  Act after the date of this  Prospectus  and prior to the
termination of the offering of the Shares shall be deemed to be  incorporated by
reference in this  Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of
such documents.  Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference
or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus  shall be deemed to
be modified or superseded for all purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that
a statement  contained  herein,  therein or in any  subsequently  filed document
which also is  incorporated  or deemed to be  incorporated  by reference  herein
modifies  or  supersedes  such  statement.  Any such  statement  so  modified or
superseded  shall  not be  deemed,  except  as so  modified  or  superseded,  to
constitute a part of this Prospectus.

     The Company  will provide  without  charge to each  person,  including  any
beneficial  owner,  to whom a copy of this  Prospectus  is  delivered,  upon the
written or oral  request of such person,  a copy of any or all of the  documents
incorporated  herein by reference (not including the exhibits to such documents,
unless  such  exhibits  are  specifically  incorporated  by  reference  in  such
documents).  Requests for such copies  should be directed to A.  Merrill  Ayers,
Chief Financial  Officer,  Sparta Foods,  Inc., 2570 Kasota Avenue, St. Paul, MN
55108; Telephone (612) 646-1888.

                                   THE COMPANY

     Sparta  manufactures  a broad line of Mexican food  products  which include
corn and flour  tortillas,  stone ground and corn flour tortilla chips,  picante
and  marinade  sauces and  salsas.  These  products  are  distributed  under the
Company's  own brand names and under  private  labels.  The Company's own retail
brands include La Canasta(R),  La Campana  Paradiso(R)  and Mexitos(R)  tortilla
chips, Cruz(R) and La Campana Paradiso(R) press and die-cut flour tortillas,  La
Canasta(R),  Mexitos(R) and Chapala(R)  salsas and picante  sauces.  The Company
also manufactures barbecue sauces and salsas for others under private label.

     The Company's  branded  retail  products are sold in  supermarkets  located
primarily in the  midwestern  United  States,  with  selected  products  sold in
Western Canada.  The Company also produces its Mexican-style  products for other
food distributors under private labels, including Crystados(R) for Crystal Farms
Refrigerated  Distribution  Company  which  distributes  its  products to retail
stores in 16 states.  Other  private  label  products  include Ken  Davis(R) and
Rudolph's(R)  barbecue sauces utilizing the customer's  proprietary  recipes. In
addition,  the Company  supplies  over six thousand  restaurants  and other food
service  establishments  through distributors that include Alliant Food Service,
Inc.,  Sysco  Corporation  and  J.P.  Food  Service,  Inc.  The  Company  places
significant  emphasis on the  development  of the food  service  market,  and is
currently an approved supplier to McDonald's,  Chili's,  Sysco,  Garcia's,  Casa
Lupita's,  Carlos  O'Kelly's,  Target Store's Food Avenues,  Champps  Americana,
Benchwarmer   Bobs,   Rudolph's,   Marriott   Contract  Feeding   Installations,
independent  Perkins   restaurants,   the  Minneapolis  School  System  and  the
Minneapolis Target Center complex, among others.


<PAGE>

     The  Company  is  capitalizing  on the  significant  growth  in the sale of
Mexican  food  products  which has  occurred in the United  States over the past
decade.  Over the ten-year period ended in 1990,  sales of soft tortillas in the
United  States  grew from  approximately  $300  million  to  approximately  $1.5
billion. Sales of tortilla chips recently exceeded $2.0 billion in annual sales.
Retail sales of Mexican-style  sauces,  salsas and picante sauce equalled nearly
$500 million in 1992. Management believes that this growth is partially a result
of Mexican food products becoming less ethnic due to strong consumer acceptance.
This is  evidenced  by the large  number of  non-Mexican  restaurants  currently
offering such Mexican items as nachos,  chips and salsa,  fajitas,  quesadillas,
burritos and taco salads.

     Prior to 1994, the Company has spent significant time and resources through
acquisition   and  internal   product   development  to  expand  its  production
capabilities and its line of authentic  Mexican food products and to establish a
strong  distribution  network.  Although these  activities have increased sales,
they have negatively impacted the Company's net income. The Company incurred net
losses of  $1,193,177  and $943,778 for the years ended  September  30, 1994 and
1995,  respectively.  With the Company's  acquisition  and expansion  activities
completed,  the  Company  has  focused  much of its  efforts on  implementing  a
comprehensive  restructuring  plan  of  the  Company's  financial  position  and
operations in an effort to return the Company to  profitability.  Due in part to
the impact of the Company's  restructuring  efforts, the Company incurred losses
of $19,322 and $91,718 for the three month and six month periods ended March 31,
1996,  respectively.  The Company is now focusing its efforts on  continuing  to
implement  restructuring  changes,  and expand its  existing  business and enter
carefully selected new geographic areas in the branded retail, private label and
food service markets.


                            INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS

     The  following  factors  should be carefully  considered  in  evaluating an
investment in any shares of Common Stock offered hereby.

Restructuring

     The Company incurred losses of $1,193,177, and $943,788 for the years ended
September  30, 1994 and 1995  respectively.  In the first quarter of fiscal year
1995,  the  Company  hired  Joel  Bachul and A.  Merrill  Ayers as its new Chief
Executive  Officer  and Chief  Financial  Officer,  respectively,  as part of an
overall restructuring policy implemented by the Board of Directors.  Pursuant to
the  Company's  restructuring  policy,  the Company  completed  a  comprehensive
financial  reorganization,  consolidated  its Lakeville  operations into its St.
Paul production facility,  raised $1,280,000 pursuant to a private offering, and
effectuated   changes  in  connection  with  its  products  and  production  and
distribution  systems. As a result of the Company's  restructuring  efforts, the
Company  incurred a loss of $91,718  for the six month  period  ended  March 31,
1996,  compared to a loss of $512,379  for the same six month period ended March
31, 1995.  Although the Company believes its restructuring  efforts to date have
had a positive impact on the Company's operations,  the Company believes that it
has not fully  realized the impact of the  restructuring  changes that have been
implemented  to date.  There is no  assurance  that  the  restructuring  efforts
completed to date will be adequate to enable the Company to reach  profitability
and that additional restructuring efforts will not be required. In addition, the
success  of the  restructuring  efforts  to date  have  been  due in part on the
abilities  of Messrs.  Bachul and  Ayers.  The loss of either Mr.  Bachul or Mr.
Ayers would have a material  adverse  impact on the  Company's  ability to fully
realize the benefits of the restructuring, implement additional restructuring if
needed and ultimately  attain  profitability.  The success of the  restructuring
also  depends on the  Company's  ability to generate  acceptable  profits on its
product sales,  which will entail the necessity of making investments in product
development and sales and marketing activities.
<PAGE>

Significant Losses and Ability to Survive as a Going Concern

     The Company incurred losses of $1,193,177 and $943,778 in fiscal years 1994
and 1995,  respectively,  and the  reports of the  independent  auditors  on the
Company's  consolidated  financial  statements for the years ended September 30,
1994 and 1995 include an explanatory paragraph relating to the Company's ability
to continue as a going concern.  Such losses have occurred despite the fact that
sales increased from  approximately  $11 million in fiscal 1994 to approximately
$12 million in fiscal 1995.  Sales increases in the past several years have been
in large part the result of the acquisition of Mexican-style  food companies and
product  lines.  It is not yet clear,  however,  if the Company  will be able to
generate  satisfactory  earnings from new product sales generated as a result of
these acquisitions.  In addition, there is no assurance that the Company will be
able to generate  sufficient  sales to be profitable in fiscal 1996. The Company
has  incurred a loss of $19,322  and  $91,718  for the three month and six month
periods ended March 31, 1996. Given its current financial position,  there is no
guarantee  that the Company will be able to continue  business  operations if it
were to incur material losses in fiscal 1996.

Sufficiency of Working Capital

     As of March 31,  1996,  the  Company  had a cash  balance of $27,114  and a
negative  working  capital  of  $532,128.  Additionally,  as of the date of this
Prospectus,  the Company has substantially  utilized amounts available under its
bank line of credit.  The Company  estimates that as of March 31, 1996, there is
an additional  $205,000 which could be drawn under its bank line of credit.  The
amount  available under this bank line of credit  fluctuates  daily based on the
Company's  eligible  accounts  receivable and  inventory.  The Company's line of
credit, term note and capital notes are subject to various financial  covenants,
the violation of which could result in termination of the loan agreements  which
would  require the  Company to repay the loans in full.  The Company has been in
default of the financial  covenants in the past.  The bank waived such defaults,
and the bank and the Company have amended  such  covenants  based on fiscal 1996
financial projections. Although the Company believes it will be able to meet the
requirement  of the new covenants in the future,  there is no assurance that the
Company will not violate the covenants in the future or that the bank will waive
any violations.  In addition,  the Company's ability to obtain additional equity
capital may be limited and, if  obtainable at all,  would result in  substantial
dilution.   Therefore,  the  Company's  ability  to  fund  its  working  capital
requirements in the future will be almost entirely dependent on generating sales
which  equal  or  exceed  the  Company's  fiscal  1995  sales  and in  achieving
profitable  operations in fiscal 1996. In addition,  any unforeseen expense of a
material nature would materially and adversely  affect the Company's  ability to
fund its ongoing operations.

Competition

     The Mexican-style  food  manufacturing and distribution  industry is highly
competitive.  Sparta  is in  competition  with a  number  of  manufacturers  and
distributors  of   Mexican-style   food  products  and,  to  a  limited  extent,
manufacturers  of "snack  foods,"  many of which  are  better  capitalized  than
Sparta.   Sparta  will  also  be  subject  to  future   competition  from  other
manufacturers,  distributors and retailers who enter into the Mexican-style food
and  distribution  industry.  In the retail  market,  many of these  competitors
engage in extensive local and national advertising and marketing,  and the brand
names for products  distributed  by those  competitors  are  significantly  more
recognizable to the consumer than Sparta's brand names. In addition, competition
for shelf space in retail grocery stores is intense. In the food service market,
the Company is competing  with a number of regional  and  national  producers of
Mexican-style  food products.  Many of these competitors are better  capitalized
than the Company and have established sales  organizations.  No assurance can be
given that Sparta will be able to compete as it expands its markets.
<PAGE>

Reliance on Principal Customers

     Sparta  has  several   customers  who  each  accounted  for  a  significant
percentage  of  Sparta's  sales in fiscal  1995.  During that  period,  sales to
Crystal Farms  Refrigerated  Distribution  Company,  Ken Davis  Products,  Inc.,
Catalina  Specialty Foods,  Inc. and Bradley  Distributing,  Inc.  accounted for
approximately 16%, 9%, 14% and 10% of Sparta's sales, respectively.  The loss of
any of the  foregoing  customers  could have a material  and  adverse  effect on
Sparta's sales and profitability.

Raw Material Cost Fluctuations

     Sparta's  operating  results  and  financial  condition  may  be  adversely
affected by uncontrollable  market  fluctuations in the availability and cost of
its primary raw materials:  corn, flour, cooking oil and tomato-based  products.
While all supplies are readily  available  from two or more sources and Sparta's
purchasing  program  minimizes  the  chance  of  a  supply   interruption,   any
interruption in Sparta's corn or flour supply,  which is received weekly,  could
cause an interruption of production  which could be material  depending upon the
duration of such  interruption.  Sparta has experienced,  during its fiscal year
ending  September 30, 1996,  significant cost increases in the price of corn and
flour.   Sparta   believes   that  its   competitors,   along  with  other  food
manufacturers,  have  also  experienced  similar  price  increases.  Sparta  has
increased the price of its products in an effort to pass on such price increases
to its customers,  as it believes its competitors have done or will do. Although
Sparta will attempt to continue to pass on price  increases of its raw materials
to its customers there is no assurance that its customers will accept such price
increases.  The Company has not yet  experienced a decrease in sales as a result
of the price  increase  of its raw  materials.  There is no  assurance  that its
customers  and other  consumers  of its  products  will not respond to the price
increases by  purchasing  fewer of the  Company's  products,  which could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's sales.

Product Liability

     Sparta may be subject to significant  liability  should the  consumption of
any of its products  cause injury,  illness or death.  Although  Sparta  carries
product liability  insurance in the aggregate amount of $2,000,000,  with limits
per occurrence of $1,000,000, there can be no assurance that this insurance will
be adequate to protect Sparta against  product  liability  claims,  or that such
insurance will continue to be available to Sparta on reasonable terms.

Government Regulation

     Sparta's   business  is  subject  to  various  federal,   state  and  local
environmental  and  health  regulations.  If  Sparta  were  found  not  to be in
compliance with such regulations, sanctions and penalties could be imposed which
could materially and adversely affect Sparta's business.

Prior Market for Common Stock

   
     Sparta's  Common  Stock is traded on the Nasdaq  SmallCap  Market under the
symbol "SPFO." It is likely that a relatively small volume of sales or purchases
of Sparta's  Common Stock could have a  significant  impact on the prices quoted
for such Common Stock. As a result of the limited market  described  above,  the
purchase  price may not be indicative of the market price for the Shares offered
hereby.  While the  Common  Stock has been  admitted  for  trading on the Nasdaq
SmallCap Market and Sparta  currently  satisfies the  requirements for continued
listing,  such trading  could be halted in the future for failure to meet Nasdaq
maintenance requirements. No assurances can be given that Sparta will be able to
continually  satisfy  the  requirements  for  continued  listing  on the  Nasdaq
SmallCap Market. The high and low bid prices for shares of Sparta's Common Stock
for  the  quarter   ended  March  31,  1996  were  $1.56  and  $.38  per  share,
respectively.  On July 15, 1996, the closing price for Sparta's  Common Stock as
quoted on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market was $2.00 per share.
    
<PAGE>

No Dividends

     The Company  has paid no cash  dividends  on its Common  Stock and does not
anticipate  paying any such dividends in the foreseeable  future.  The Company's
current line of credit with its bank  precludes  the Company  from  declaring or
paying dividends on its Common Stock without the bank's approval.

Anti-Takeover Provisions

     The Company's Articles of Incorporation provide that the Board of Directors
may issue up to  1,000,000  shares of  Preferred  Stock,  with such  rights  and
preferences  as may be  determined  from time to time by the Board of Directors,
and to issue up to 15,000,000 shares of Common Stock without further shareholder
approval.  Issuance of such shares of  Preferred or Common Stock could result in
dilution of the voting power of Common  Stock,  adversely  affect its holders in
the event of liquidation of the Company, or delay or prevent a change in control
of the Company. In addition,  Section 302A.671 of the Minnesota Statutes,  among
other  things,  denies  voting  rights with respect to certain  "control  share"
acquisitions  of the  Company's  Common  Stock  without  prior  approval  of the
Company's  shareholders and Section 302A.673 of the Minnesota Statutes prohibits
business   combinations   with  any  shareholder   within  five  years  of  that
shareholder's control share acquisition, made without approval of a committee of
the Company's Board of Directors. The ability of the Board of Directors to issue
additional  Preferred or Common  Stock and  Minnesota  Statutes  could impede or
deter  a  tender  offer  or  takeover  proposal   regarding  the  Company.   See
"Description of Securities - Preferred Stock" and "- Control Share Acquisition."


                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

   
     Assuming all Selling  Shareholders listed in this Prospectus exercise their
Warrants to purchase an  aggregate  of  2,978,900  shares of Common  Stock,  the
estimated  net  proceeds  to  be  received  by  the  Company  are  approximately
$2,124,450  net of  expenses.  There is no  obligation  on the  part of  Selling
Shareholders to exercise all or any portion of the outstanding  Warrants.  Based
upon  the  current  market  price  of the  Company's  Common  Stock  there is no
assurance that the Warrants will be exercised.  Thus,  there can be no assurance
that the Company will receive the  estimated  net proceeds or any proceeds  from
this offering. Any proceeds received will be used to repay existing debt and for
general working capital purposes.
    

<PAGE>



                              SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

     The following table sets forth, as of the date of this Prospectus,  certain
information regarding beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock by each
Selling Shareholder.
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                Before the Offering                                    After the Offering
                                     ----------------------------------------               ---------------------------------------
                                           Shares           Percentage of        Shares           Shares           Percentage of
                                        Beneficially         Outstanding          Being        Beneficially         Outstanding
Name and Address of                       Owned(1)           Shares(1)(12)     Offered(13)      Owned(1)             Shares(1)(12)
Beneficial Owner
SELLING SHAREHOLDER(14)
<S>                                    <C>                    <C>               <C>            <C>                   <C>           
Carmen S. Abril-Lopez                      808,481(2)          12.1%             118,334          690,147              10.5%


Nicholas G. Grammas                        736,306(3)          11.0%             36,400           699,906              10.5%


Larry P. Arnold                            361,000(4)           5.4%             308,000          53,000                 *


Joel P. & Gail M. Bachul                   160,250(5)           2.4%             100,000          60,250                 *

A. Merrill & Eleanor Ayers                  39,750(6)            *                20,000          19,750                 *

Thomas C. & Elizabeth R. House              91,768(7)           1.3%             60,000           31,768                 *

Michael Kozlak                             258,000(8)           3.8%             200,000          58,000                 *

Raymond D. Nelson                           63,000(9)            *               60,000            3,000                 *

Richard H. Leepart                        168,000(10)           2.5%             100,000          68,000                 *

Edward K. Jorgenson                        43,000(11)            *               40,000            3,000                 *

Dr. Lee S. Chapman, P.A.                       80,000           1.2%             80,000             --                   *
Profit Sharing Plan & Trust

David M. Thymian and                           15,000            *               15,000             --                   *
Susan M. Thymian, JT

Willard Rehbein                               154,000           2.3%             154,000            --                   *


Courtney W. Brown                              50,000            *               50,000             --                   *




Thomas Harkness                                27,000            *               27,000             --                   *


John P. Dirksen and                            10,000            *               10,000             --                   *
Emily W. Dirksen, JT


Christianson Investment Company               108,000           1.6%             108,000            --                   *


George I. Kosmides                             54,000            *               54,000             --                   *


<PAGE>





Deming L. Payne                                27,000            *               27,000             --                   *


Alvin S. Zelickson                             20,000            *               20,000             --                   *


Mitchell Krieger                              110,000           1.6%             110,000            --                   *


James R. Whitmas                               20,000            *               20,000             --                   *


Stanley J. Johnson                            120,000           1.7%             120,000            --                   *


Sekhavat, Ltd.                                155,000           2.3%             155,000            --                   *


First Trust National Association,             140,500           2.1%             140,500            --                   *
as Trustee for
Richard A. Marks - IRA


James W. Swenson                               47,800            *               47,800             --                   *


William R. Swanson and                         13,500            *               13,500             --                   *
Catherine A. Swanson, JT


Donald R. Brattain                            662,000           9.4%             562,000          100,000              1.4%


Roger H. Frommelt and Carol                    25,000            *               25,000             --                   *
Frommelt, JT

David B. Eide and Mary Jo                      18,000            *               18,000             --                   *
Eide, JT

John R. Dorgan                                  1,333            *                1,333             --                   *

Randy J. Sparling                               3,033            *                3,033             --                   *

James W. Rude                                   1,000            *                1,000             --                   *

Sportz Ink Inc.                                 9,100            *                9,100             --                   *

Stan G. Eilers and Carol R.                   144,200           2.1%             144,200            --                   *
Eilers, JT

Bradley R. Gerlach and Laura                  193,100           2.9%             167,100          26,000                 *
Gerlach, JT




<PAGE>





John G. Kinnard & Company,                    357,110           5.2%             158,000          199,110              2.9%
Inc.


George Christopherson                         125,000           1.8%             100,000          25,000                 *

Jerome R. & Carolyn D. Larson                 250,000           3.6%             200,000          50,000                 *

Jay M. Applebaum                              106,916           1.6%             77,100           29,816                 *

Raymond A. Lipkin                             250,000           3.6%             200,000          50,000                 *

Russell & Kris Lilienthal                     125,000           1.8%             100,000          25,000                 *

James S. Vieburg                               40,000            *               40,000             --                   *

Bradley J. & Beth L. Martinson                100,000           1.5%             100,000            --                   *

Thomas R. McGuire                             100,000           1.5%             100,000            --                   *

Sheldon Chester                               100,000           1.5%             100,000            --                   *

Dennis La Valle                               151,000           2.2%             151,000            --                   *

Demetre M. Nicoloff                           101,333           1.5%             93,000            8,333                 *

Patrick M. Sidders                             40,000            *               40,000             --                   *

Okabena Partnership K                       1,200,000          18.0%            1,200,000           --                   *

Robert W. Gaines                              100,000           1.5%             100,000            --                   *

Thomas W. Gearou                              100,000           1.5%             100,000            --                   *

H. Vincent O'Connell                          100,000           1.5%             100,000            --                   *

Robert L. Gearou                              100,000           1.5%             100,000            --                   *

Andrew O'Connell                                3,000            *                3,000             --                   *

Michael Norton                                  2,000            *                2,000             --                   *

Joseph Radecki                                  2,000            *                2,000             --                   *

Jerry Johnson                                   2,000            *                2,000             --                   *

George Mitchell                                 2,000            *                2,000             --                   *

</TABLE>
    

*Less than one percent.

<PAGE>

(1)  Shares not outstanding but deemed  beneficially  owned by virtue of the
     individual's  right to acquire them as of the date of this  Prospectus,
     or  within  60 days of such  date,  are  treated  as  outstanding  when
     determining  the percent of the class owned by such individual and when
     determining   the  percent   owned  by  the  group.   For  purposes  of
     calculation,  the percent of class owned  after this  offering,  it was
     assumed that the officers,  directors and principal  shareholders  will
     not be purchasing shares in this offering,  unless otherwise indicated,
     each  person  named  or  included  in the  group  has sole  voting  and
     investment  power with  respect to the shares of Common Stock set forth
     opposite his/her name.

(2)  Included in this amount are (a) 754,480  shares of common stock held by
     a trust of which Ms.  Abril-Lopez  is trustee  and a  beneficiary,  (b)
     currently  exercisable  warrants  to purchase  10,000  shares of common
     stock at a price of $.50 per share,  and (c) a total of 10,667  options
     to purchase shares of common stock at $5.00 per share. Ms.  Abril-Lopez
     served as a director of the Company until February 1996.



   
(3)  Included  in this  amount are (a)  currently  exercisable  warrants  to
     purchase 8,400 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.50 per
     share,  and (b) options to  purchase  5,333  shares of common  stock at
     $5.00 per share.  Mr.  Grammas served as an officer and director of the
     Company until October 1994.
    

   
(4)  Includes director's options to purchase 3,000 shares of common stock at 
     $1.375 per share.  Mr. Arnold currently serves as a member of the 
     Company's Board of Directors.
    

   
(5)  Included  in this  amount are (a)  currently  exercisable  Warrants  to
     purchase 25,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $.50 per
     share and  Warrants to purchase  50,000  shares of Common Stock at $.75
     per share;  (b) stock options to purchase  12,500 share of Common Stock
     at $1.75 per share; and (c) options to purchase 18,750 shares of Common
     Stock at $.50.  Mr. Bachul  serves as the  President,  Chief  Executive
     Officer and a director of the Company.
    

   
(6)  Included  in this  amount are (a)  currently  exercisable  Warrants  to
     purchase  10,000  shares of Common  Stock of $.75 per share;  (b) stock
     options to purchase  6,250  shares of Common  Stock at $2.00 per share;
     and (c) stock options to purchase 12,500 shares of Common Stock at $.50
     per share. Mr. Ayers serves as the Company's Chief Financial Officer.
    

   
(7)  This amount  includes,  (a) Warrants to purchase  30,000 shares at $.75
     per share,  (b) options to purchase  12,501  shares of Common  Stock at
     $4.32 per share,  (c) options to purchase  5,000 shares of Common Stock
     at $2.94 per share, and (d) options to purchase 12,500 shares of Common
     Stock at $1.50 per share. Mr. House serves as the Company's Vice President 
     of Operations.
    

   
(8)  This amount includes director's options to purchase 6,000 shares of Common
     Stock at $.875 per share and options to purchase 2,000 shares of Common 
     Stock at $1.4375.  Mr. Kozlak serves as the Company's Chairman of the 
     Board of Directors.
    

   
(9)  This amount includes directors options to purchase 3,000 shares of Common 
     Stock at $1.375 per share. Mr. Nelson serves as a member of the Company's 
     Board of Directors.
    

   
(10) This amount includes: (a) 40,000 shares beneficially owned by an affiliate 
     of Mr. Leepart which he exercises voting and disposition power, and (b) 
     director options to purchase 3,000 shares of Common Stock at $1.375 per 
     share.  Mr. Leepart is a director of the Company.
    

   
(11) This amount includes director options to purchase 3,000 shares of Common 
     Stock at $1.375 per share. Mr. Jorgenson is a director of the Company.
    

   
(12) Based on 6,672,799  shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of
     June 1, 1996. Each percentage  calculation  assumes the exercise of only
     those options and warrants held by the corresponding  person or persons
     which are exercisable as of June 1, 1996.
    

   
(13) Selling Shareholder may sell, at each Selling Shareholder's discretion, 
     all or a portion of the Common Stock being offered pursuant to this 
     Prospectus.  There is no obligation on the part of the Selling
     Shareholders  to sell any Shares  pursuant to this offering or exercise
     any outstanding Warrants or sell the Common Stock received by such
     exercise.
     
    
<PAGE>

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     The Selling  Shareholders have advised the Company that all or a portion of
the Shares offered by the Selling  Shareholders  hereby may be sold from time to
time by the Selling  Shareholders  or by pledges,  donees,  transferees or other
successors in interest. Such sales may be made in the over-the-counter market or
otherwise  at prices and at terms then  prevailing  or at prices  related to the
then current market price, or in negotiated transactions. The Shares may be sold
by one or more of the following means:  (a) ordinary  brokerage or market making
transactions and transactions in which the broker or dealer solicits purchasers;
(b) block  trades in which the broker or dealer so engaged  will attempt to sell
the  Shares  as agent but may  position  and  resell a  portion  of the block as
principal to facilitate the transaction; and (c) purchases by a broker or dealer
as  principal  and resales by such broker or dealer for its account  pursuant to
this Prospectus.  In effecting sales,  brokers or dealers engaged by the Selling
Shareholders may arrange for other brokers or dealers to participate. Brokers or
dealers will receive  commissions or discounts from the Selling  Shareholders in
amounts to be negotiated  immediately prior to the sale. Such brokers or dealers
and  any  other   participating   brokers  or  dealers   may  be  deemed  to  be
"underwriters"  within the meaning of the Securities Act in connection with such
sales. In addition,  any securities covered by this Prospectus which qualify for
sale  pursuant  to Rule 144 under the Act may be sold under Rule 144 rather than
pursuant to this Prospectus.

     The Company  and the Selling  Shareholders  have agreed to  indemnify  each
other  against  certain  liabilities,  including  liabilities  arising under the
Securities Act.

<PAGE>



                                     PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS


Item 14.  Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

     The following  expenses will be paid by the Company in connection  with the
distribution of the shares registered  hereby. The Company is paying all Selling
Shareholder's expenses related to this offering, except the Selling Shareholders
will pay any applicable  broker's  commissions and expenses,  transfer taxes, as
well  as  fees  and  disbursements  of  counsel  and  experts  for  the  Selling
Shareholder.  All of such  expenses,  except for the SEC  Registration  Fee, are
estimated.

                  SEC Registration Fee ...........................$   2,754
                  NASD Fee ...............................................0
                  Nasdaq listing fee .....................................0
                  Legal Fees and Expenses ............................8,000
                  Underwriter's Accountable Expenses .....................0
                  Accountants' Fees and Expenses .....................3,000
                  Printing Expenses ..................................3,000
                  Blue Sky Fees and Expenses .......................  3,000
                  Miscellaneous .....................................   246
                           Total ...................................$20,000

Item 15.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

     Section 302A.521,  subd. 2, of the Minnesota  Statutes requires the Company
to indemnify a person made or  threatened  to be made a party to a proceeding by
reason of the former or present official  capacity of the person with respect to
the Company, against judgments, penalties, fines, including, without limitation,
excise taxes  assessed  against the person with  respect to an employee  benefit
plan,  settlements,  and  reasonable  expenses,  including  attorneys'  fees and
disbursements,  incurred by the person in connection  with the  proceeding  with
respect  to the  same  acts or  omissions  if  such  person  (1)  has  not  been
indemnified  by  another  organization  or  employee  benefit  plan for the same
judgments, penalties or fines; (2) acted in good faith; (3) received no improper
personal benefit,  and statutory  procedure has been followed in the case of any
conflict of interest  by a director;  (4) in the case of a criminal  proceeding,
had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct was unlawful; and (5) in the case
of acts or  omissions  occurring  in the  person's  performance  in the official
capacity of director or, for a person not a director,  in the official  capacity
of officer,  board committee  member or employee,  reasonably  believed that the
conduct was in the best interests of the Company, or, in the case of performance
by a  director,  officer  or  employee  of the  Company  involving  service as a
director,  officer,  partner, trustee, employee or agent of another organization
or employee benefit plan,  reasonably  believed that the conduct was not opposed
to the best interests of the Company.  In addition,  Section 302A.521,  subd. 3,
requires payment by the Company, upon written request, of reasonable expenses in
advance of final disposition of the proceeding in certain instances.  A decision
as to required  indemnification is made by a disinterested majority of the Board
of Directors present at a meeting at which a disinterested quorum is present, or
by a  designated  committee  of the Board,  by  special  legal  counsel,  by the
shareholders, or by a court.
<PAGE>

     Provisions  regarding  indemnification  of officers  and  directors  of the
Company are contained in Article IV,  Section 4.6 of the  Company's  Articles of
Incorporation,  as amended and Article V of the  Company's  Bylaws each of which
are incorporated herein by reference.

     The  Company  and  Selling  Shareholders  listed  herein,  have  agreed  to
indemnify,  under certain  conditions,  each other against  certain  liabilities
arising under the Securities Act.

Item 16.          Exhibits

     Exhibit No.       Document

     5*               Opinion and Consent of Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

    23.1              Consent of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP.

    23.2*             Consent of Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. (included in their 
                      opinion filed as Exhibit 5).

    24*               Power of Attorney from certain directors and officers 
                      (included on the "Signatures" pages hereto).


    * Previously filed.

Item 17.  Undertakings.

         (a)      The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

(1)  To file,  during  any  period in which  offers or sales are being  made,  a
     post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

                    (i)  To include any prospectus  required by Section 10(a)(3)
                         of the Securities Act of 1933;

                    (ii) To  reflect  in the  prospectus  any  facts  or  events
                         arising  after the effective  date of the  Registration
                         Statement (or the most recent post- effective amendment
                         thereof)  which,  individually  or  in  the  aggregate,
                         represents a fundamental  change in the information set
                         forth in the Registration Statement;

                    (iii)To include any material information with respect to the
                         plan of  distribution  not previously  disclosed in the
                         Registration  Statement or any material  change to such
                         information in the  Registration  Statement;  Provided,
                         however,  that  paragraphs  (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do
                         not apply if the information required to be included in
                         a  post-effective  amendment  by  those  paragraphs  is
                         contained in periodic  reports filed by the  Registrant
                         pursuant  to  section  13  or  section   15(d)  of  the
                         Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 that are  incorporated
                         by reference in the Registration Statement.

(2)  That,  for the purposes of determining  any liability  under the Securities
     Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
     Registration  Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
     offering of such  securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
     bona fide offering thereof.

(3)  To remove from  registration by means of a post-effective  amendment any of
     the securities  being  registered which remain unsold at the termination of
     the offering.

     (a)  The undersigned  Registrant  hereby  undertakes  that, for purposes of
          determining  any  liability  under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  each
          filing of the Registrant's  annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or
          Section  15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934  (and,  where
          applicable,  each filing of an employee  benefit  plan's annual report
          pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that
          is  incorporated by reference in the  Registration  Statement shall be
          deemed to be a new registration  statement  relating to the securities
          offered  therein,  and the  offering of such  securities  at that time
          shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
<PAGE>

     (b)  Insofar  as   indemnification   for  liabilities   arising  under  the
          Securities  Act of 1933 may be  permitted to  directors,  officers and
          controlling  persons  of the  Registrant  pursuant  to  the  foregoing
          provisions,  or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the
          opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification
          is against  public  policy as expressed in the Act and is,  therefore,
          unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for indemnification  against
          such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses
          incurred or paid by a director,  officer or controlling  person of the
          Registrant  in  the  successful   defense  of  any  action,   suit  or
          proceeding)  is  asserted  by such  director,  officer or  controlling
          person  in  connection  with  the  securities  being  registered,  the
          Registrant  will,  unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has
          been  settled  by  controlling   precedent,   submit  to  a  court  of
          appropriate  jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by
          it is  against  public  policy  as  expressed  in the Act and  will be
          governed by final adjudication of such issue.


<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies  that it has  reasonable  grounds  to  believe  that it meets  all the
requirements  for  filing on Form S-3 and has duly  caused  this Post  Effective
Amendment  No. 1  Registration  Statement  to be  signed  on its  behalf  by the
undersigned,  thereunto  duly  authorized,  in the  City of St.  Paul,  State of
Minnesota, on the 17th day of July, 1996.

                                            SPARTA FOODS, INC.


                                           By /s/ Joel P. Bachul
                                           Joel P. Bachul, President and
                                           Chief Executive Officer



     Pursuant  to  the   requirements  of  the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  this
registration  statement  has been signed below by the  following  persons in the
capacities and on the date indicated.

                               (Power of Attorney)

     Each person whose signature  appears below constitutes and appoints Joel P.
Bachul  and A.  Merrill  Ayers,  and  each  of  them,  as his  true  and  lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, with full power of substitution
and  resubstitution,  for him and in his name,  place and stead,  in any and all
capacities,  to sign any or all amendments to the Registration Statement on Form
S-3 of Sparta Foods, Inc. 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, each acting alone,
full  power  and  authority  to do and  perform  each and  every  act and  thing
requisite and  necessary to be done in and about the premises,  as fully and for
all intent and purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said  attorneys-in-fact  and agents,  each acting alone,  or
their  substitute or substitutes,  may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
thereof.
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Signature                           Title                                       Date

<S>                                 <C>                                         <C>    
/s/ Joel P. Bachul                   President, Chief Executive                 July 17, 1996
Joel P. Bachul                       Officer and Director
                                    (principal executive officer)

/s/ A. Merrill Ayers                Chief Financial Officer,                    July 17, 1996
A. Merrill Ayers                    (principal accounting officer)


/s/ Larry Arnold                    Director                                    July 17, 1996
Larry Arnold


/s/ Edward K. Jorgenson             Director                                    July 17, 1996
Edward K. Jorgenson


/s/ Michael Kozlak                  Director                                    July 17, 1996
Michael Kozlak


/s/ Richard H. Leepart              Director                                    July 17, 1996
Richard H. Leepart


/s/ R. Dean Nelson                  Director                                    July 17, 1996
R. Dean Nelson


/s/ A. Merrill Ayers                                                            July 17, 1996
A. Merrill Ayers
Attorney in Fact
</TABLE>

<PAGE>



                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549



                                    EXHIBITS
                                       to
                         Form S-3 Registration Statement



                               Sparta Foods, Inc.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)



                                      INDEX

                                                             
                                                         
Exhibit                                                     

5*       Opinion and consent of Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

23.1     Consent of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP

23.2*    Consent of Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.- See Exhibit 5

24*      Power of attorney from directors (Included in signature
         page of this Registration Statement)


* Previously filed.






                                  EXHIBIT 23.1


     We consent to incorporation by reference in Post-Effective  Amendment No. 1
to the  Registration  Statement on Form S-3 of Sparta Foods,  Inc. of our report
dated November 27, 1995,  except for Note 5 to such report, as to which the date
is December  21, 1995,  relating to the  consolidated  balance  sheets of Sparta
Foods,  Inc. as of  September  30, 1995 and 1994,  and the related  consolidated
statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the years then
ended,  which  report  appears  in the  September  30,  1995,  Annual  Report to
Shareholders incorporated by reference in the Form 10-KSB of Sparta Foods, Inc.


                                          /s/ McGladrey & Pullen, LLP
                                          McGladrey & Pullen, LLP






Minneapolis, Minnesota
July 17, 1996




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