Adrianne DeLuca

Behind the excitement and energy of returning to Expo West in-person, a storm has been brewing in the red-hot plant-based meat category: after its first day exhibiting at the show, Motif Foodsworks, a spinoff of Massachusetts-based Gingko Bioworks, was served with a lawsuit claiming that the technology it had just showcased at Expo violated a patent held by one of the nascent category’s leaders, Impossible Foods.

Nutrition company EVO Hemp has partnered with 40 Acre Cooperative, a farming co-op supporting the needs of black and other socially disadvantaged farmers, to bring its network of hemp growers into the EVO brand.

Over the past two years visibility and support for mission-driven companies has been on the rise as consumer demand for purpose-forward products increases. To further support these interests, CPG companies and retailers both large and small have introduced a range of opportunities to help jumpstart emerging brands for long-term success.

In this distribution roundup: Clio Snacks rolls out to Kroger stores, adding three new SKUs; Mason Dixie brings breakfast sandwiches to Sprouts; CHKN Not Chicken expands retail reach; and more.

Better-for-you sweets and format innovation were the dominant themes among this week’s new products. While Honey Mama’s branched out of chocolate bars, Outshine looked to the shelf-stable category for its newest snack product. Check out the roundup for the latest new offerings from brands including Fly by Jing, Tea Drops and Kashi.

In this week’s Checkout: Misfits Market Expands to all lower 48 states; The United Nations commits to addressing plastic pollution with a new treaty by 2024; Flashfood closes a $12.3 million funding round and 7-Eleven adds a grab-and-go plant-based burger to its menu.

Six months after being sold to ingredient company Milk Specialties Global (MSG), Minnesota-based protein snack maker Kay’s Naturals has discontinued its branded product lines as its new owner looks to focus on expanding its extruded protein production capabilities.

Acknowledging that “they were the wrong products,” Miyoko’s CEO Miyoko Schinner announced this week that the artisanal plant-based dairy brand has halted production of its cheddar and pepper jack slices, shreds and blocks, explaining that the line’s insubstantial nutritional value compromised the brand’s values and mission to create real nutrient-dense, vegan cheese.

Since making its retail debut last March, climate-friendly snack brand Moonshot has increased its footprint to over 1,000 doors following a nationwide expansion with Sprouts Farmers Market, announced last week. In addition to expanding distribution, the brand is looking to accelerate the growth of its platform throughout the year.

In this week’s Checkout: The Specialty Food Association Trendspotter Panel names nine trends from Winter Fancy Food Show; Brands look to celebrity Youtube series’ for increased consumers engagement; KIND launches new nutrition-forward campaign against packaged foods, including its own snacks; and Kroger activates Loop partnership at 25 Fred Meyer’s stores.