Adrianne DeLuca

The Specialty Food Association (SFA) Summer Fancy Food Show returned in-person to New York City this week for the first time since 2019. While more limited in its scope, energy and total attendees than mega-shows like Expo West, the biannual event represents an important showcase for CPG brands looking to grow in the specialty food market, which is expected to rise to $185 billion in 2022, according to the SFA State of the Industry report.

After three years in ecommerce, Magic Spoons grain-free, low-sugar cereals are spilling into retail. The company announced today its top three SKUs – Fruity, Cocoa and Peanut Butter – are rolling out exclusively to Target stores nationwide following the close of a star-studded, $85 million capital raise.

In this week’s Checkout: Everything Legendary and Live Nation announce investment partnership; General Mills invests $3 Million into Eco Harvest; Foster Farms sells to Atlas Holdings and names new CEO; Campbell’s reports Q3 earnings; and SCiFi Foods raises $22 million.

After two years on the market, breakfast bar maker Over Easy is looking beyond its core category with the goal of becoming a convenience-oriented brand “for the masses,” according to Kyle Maggard, founder and CEO.

Consumers are searching for new forms of convenience, whether as clever packaging or new products, and prioritizing exciting and unfamiliar flavors at mealtime, according to market research firm IRI’s annual New Product Pacesetters report, released yesterday.

Beyond Meat, which has been in a legal dispute with former manufacturing partner Don Lee Farms for almost five years, has now been hit with a case by consumers claiming they’ve been misled and lied to about the comparability of Beyond’s protein to animal products.

While a sweeping, nationwide recall of one of Smucker’s flagship product lines, Jif, may have stunted gross profits this quarter, the CPG giant reported today that net sales increased 6% to $113.6 million during Q4 FY2022.

Don Lee Farms filed a lawsuit against Beyond Meat last week. Allegations against Beyond Meat include misleading consumers, touting inaccurate nutrition labels that violate FDA regulation, creating unfair marketplace competition and a range of underlying issues with the company by CEO Ethan Brown, who is described in the complaint as having “an appetite for excuses.”

Colorado governor Jared Polis has signed a bill that requires packaging producers and printed paper manufacturers to help operate and fund a new statewide recycling program that aims to increase recycling rates and create a circular economy for all recyclable materials, primarily plastic bottles, paper-based packaging and cans.

In this week’s Checkout: The Very Good Food Company secures capital to keep its doors open; Hormel reports double digit sales increase despite bird flu outbreak and inflationary pressures; and Danone North America commits to Zero Waste to Landfills by 2025.