Carol Ortenberg
Posts by Carol Ortenberg
Biena Gives the Snack Industry a ‘Pulse’ with Rockin’ Ranch Roasted Chickpeas
Always hungry to meet the challenge of creating a better-for-you snack that also satisfies and satiates, Biena combines the humble chickpea with the spirit of snacking innovation with its debut of Rockin’ Ranch, the latest in its line of award-winning Roasted Chickpea Snacks.
Video: Expo West 2016 Roundup – Telling the Story to Consumers
Although Natural Products Expo West, which ended on Sunday, has swelled to an amazing 3,000 exhibitors, Project NOSH spotted three macro trends (insect based protein, full-fat dairy and single origin products) that spanned numerous categories. In the following video, Project NOSH Editor Carol Ortenberg and BevNET Editor-in-Chief Jeff Klineman discuss these trends — and the brands and products that embody them.
Expo West Video: Healthy Skoop And Plant-Based Protein Adoption
At this year’s Natural Products Expo West, it was clear that plant-based proteins are becoming a key ingredient class across almost all categories. In the following video, Project NOSH Editor Carol Ortenberg speaks with one of the entrepreneurs behind Healthy Skoop, which produces plant-based nutritional blends.
JicaChips Raises $1M, Caps off Week of AccelFoods Announcements
Today upstart jica-based snack brand, JicaChips, announced the closing of an over $1 million round of funding from several investors, including accelerator firm and investor AccelFoods and natural foods strategy and brokerage firm Presence Marketing. While the raise itself is notable, it capstones a week of announcements from AccelFoods about major investments in brands that have graduated from its accelerator program.
Big Infestment: Insect Protein Brand Exo Lands $4 Million Round
Yesterday, insect-based protein snack bar company Exo Foods announced the closing of a $4 million Series A investment round led by CPG incubator and private equity fund AccelFoods. Also investing in the round were a pair of venture capital funds, Start Garden and the Collaborative Fund, as well as celebrities like the author Tim Ferriss, the rap artist NAS and the endurance athlete Amelia Boone.
Sonoma Brands Makes Minority Investment in Dang Foods
Jonathan Sebastiani’s new consumer products incubator and venture fund Sonoma Brands announced its first investment, in healthy snack food company Dang Foods. Dang founder Vincent Kitirattragarn says the investment “is a dream partnership” that will help the brand scale even faster.
Mediterra Nutrition Bars Authorized in 10,000 Stores
NEW YORK— After launching only 20 months ago, award-winning Mediterra, the first company to introduce all-natural nutrition bars inspired by the Mediterranean Diet, today announced its latest milestone: authorization in 10,000 stores throughout North America.
Could Haddon House Sale Hurt Small Brands?
United Natural Foods (UNFI), the country’s largest distributor of natural products, announced this week the acquisition of Haddon House Foods, a specialty and natural foods wholesaler based on the East Coast. The acquisition is expected to help bolster UNFI’s sales in these sub-categories, which have been secondary to its natural foods business. However, looking beyond the distributor itself, the question still remains what the move will mean for smaller brands that were carried by Haddon House.
Head Grocery Exec, Errol Schweizer, Departs Whole Foods
February saw the departure of two key grocery executives for natural products retailer Whole Foods Market.
Year of the Pulse Sees World Peas Acquisition
World Peas, which makes snacks out of beans and other legumes, has been acquired by Snack it Forward, LLC, the buyer announced today. In four years, the company has grown to have national distribution and is found in stores including Whole Foods Market, Target, The Fresh Market, Costco and online retailer Thrive Market.