Adrianne DeLuca

In this week’s distribution roundup: Yolélé launches its West African inspired products at Target, African Dream Foods partners with zoos across the country, Blue Apron innovates with Amazon Alexa, Bubbies introduces its mochi to Publix and more.

Walmart broke down its approach to climate change initiatives during an ESG-focused discussion for investors earlier this month, committing to reducing its emissions company-wide to zero by 2040 and actively assisting its suppliers with climate-positive innovations.

Isreali food tech company Future Meat announced today it has raised $347 million in Series B funding co-led by ADM Ventures, the investment arm of global food processing company Archer-Daniels-Midland, with participation from Menora Mivtachim, S2G Ventures, Tyson New Ventures, among others.

In this week’s Checkout: OmniFoods partners with nonprofits to support food insecure communities, Kraft Heinz acquires majority stake of Just Spices, Abbot’s Butcher receives the first Whole30 Approved Certification for plant-based meat and tech company Lumi acquired by Navar.

The Campbell’s Soup Company is more focused and a “much stronger company” today than it was three years ago, said President and CEO Mark Clouse during the company’s Investor Day event Tuesday.

Plant-based diets are on the rise among multicultural consumers, according to a new study published last week by Danone North America. However, results suggest there is a gap in the market caused by a lack of culturally diverse plant-based food innovation, cultural stigmas and barriers to access including product affordability and education.

After receiving Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status earlier this month, Massachusetts-based food technology company Motif FoodWorks announced last week that its patented heme protein HEMAMI has launched for large-scale commercial distribution.

Hain Celestial will acquire better-for-you food incubator That’s How We Roll, the owner of Proven Brands, Inc. and KTB Foods, Inc., from private equity firm Clearlake Capital Group in a $259 million deal, Clearlake announced today.

In this week’s checkout: Capital City brings its Sweet Hot Mambo Sauce to KFC, The Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance launch U.S. Identity Preserved Certification, Kraft Heinz to combine U.S. and Canada Businesses and Forever Cheese brings on specialty food veteran Tyler Hawes.

With everything from an angry and animated tortoise to a TikTok Tastemonial challenge, these latest activations have embraced a variety of brand building tactics including user-generated content and a unique group of brand ambassadors.