Beth Kaiserman
Posts by Beth Kaiserman
Tessemae’s Dips into Superfoods, Grows Retail Footprint
After launching shelf-stable dressings and sauces last year, Tessemae’s has doubled its retail footprint while continuing to see growth in its refrigerated line. Still, there’s even more in motion for the family-owned company, and it extends beyond the salad bowl.
Looking to Grow the Platform, Unique Pretzel Becomes Unique Snacks
Pretzel makers since the 1700s, the Spannuth family launched commercial bakery Unique Pretzel Bakery in 1921 and its store brand in 1964. The company is now rebranding to Unique Snacks, hoping to build out a larger salty snacks platform.
Designer Protein Moves ‘Whey’ Beyond Powder
Designer Protein, which owns legacy brand Designer Whey, is looking to evolve into a broader nutrition platform. Though it isn’t outgrowing its roots in protein supplements, the company is solidifying its brand identity and moving into new categories and ingredients.
The Checkout: Instacart Raises $200M, Tofurky Fights Louisiana Labeling Law
In this week’s Checkout, Instacart raises $200 million, Tofurky fights a Louisiana labeling law and Friends of the Earth reports on retailers’ organic product and pesticide commitments.
Dewey’s Bakery Raises $25M, Acquires Farm & Oven
Hoping to turn a line of cookies and crackers into a larger national brand, Dewey’s Bakery last week closed a $25 million funding round led by Eurazeo Brands and also combined forces with the leadership team of another bakery brand, Farm & Oven.
The Checkout: ShipBob Receives $68M Investment, Amazon Boosts Small Brands
In this week’s Checkout, e-commerce fulfillment company ShipBob receives $68 million investment, Amazon announces Prime Day and small brand promotions, and McCormick and Conagra report quarterly earnings.
Van Cleve Seafood Launches Plant-based Brand Mind Blown
While the meat alternative set is dominated by burgers and sausages, seafood company Van Cleve sees an opportunity to be a big fish in the small pond of plant-based seafood. Last month the company launched The Plant Based Seafood Co., a spinoff from its (also newly launched) clean label seafood brand Wild Skinny Clean.
FDA Proposes New Traceability Requirements for ‘High-Risk’ Foods
The FDA last week published a long awaited proposed rule requiring producers and processors of “high-risk” foods to keep more detailed records to improve supply chain traceability. While the agency believes an industry-wide standard for tracing high-risk foods could help identify an outbreak’s source 84% faster, reducing illnesses and costly recalls, the plan could require additional capital investments from some food producers, and the FDA is debating whether small companies should be exempt.
The Checkout: Mosa Meat Raises $55M, Social Nature Studies Shopper Priorities
In this week’s Checkout, cultured meat startup Mosa Meat raises $55 million, Social Nature studies shoppers’ health and wellness priorities and General Mills reports its first quarter earnings.
No Evil Foods Fights Labor Issues
The National Labor Relations Board last week issued a formal complaint against plant-based protein brand No Evil Foods over accusations that the company retaliated against company workers who had attempted to form a union.