Expect to see Paula Deen smiling at you from grocery store shelves soon, thanks to one local company.

Paula Deen Enterprises and Clarence-based Nanco Group have joined forces to create Paula Deen Foods, a line of food products that represent Deen’s traditional recipes and some lighter versions—for those folks not trying to develop diabetes.

Paula Deen Foods, which will be headquartered in Savannah, “is being formed to guarantee the highest level of quality in its products, expanding on a number of Deen’s products that are sold today in some of America’s leading retailers ranging from Kroger to Target to Wal-Mart,” according to a company statement.

“We are honored to take the Nanco generations of experience and bring our favorite recipes from our family to your own,” Deen said. “Working with Nanco, we have generations of experience and knowledge from our most important partners—the grocery retailers that will enable us to bring the best value possible to those who love our recipes.”

The newly formed company aims to launch initial products in late third quarter 2012.

Photo courtesy of Flickr / Pjörk.