Carol Ortenberg

An ingredient company made a meal out of candy yesterday when Wholesome Sweeteners Inc. announced the purchase of confectioner TruSweets. Financial terms of the deal were not revealed.

At Project NOSH LA, Michael Sands of B&G Foods compared the process of finding a strategic partner to dating and went over what steps are required to ensure that the relationship ends in a happy “marriage.”

Pinnacle Foods Inc. announced today that it would purchase Boulder Brands for approximately $710 million dollars. While Pinnacle has a large stable of classic American brands, including Birds Eye, Aunt Jemima, Duncan Hines and Vlasic, the acquisition will add a slate of “better-for-you” products popular with the growing segment of LOHAS shoppers.

In recent weeks several brands operating in the natural, organic, sustainable and healthy food space have announced new relationships with restaurants and other foodservice providers across the U.S., offering each exposure and awareness beyond a traditional retail setting.

In addition to the FDA’s announcement regarding the approval of genetically modified salmon, the agency also released suggestions for those companies that want to voluntarily call attention to the fact that they are using genetically modified (GMO) ingredients (of the aquatic nature or otherwise).

ProYo, a three year-old company that produces high-protein frozen yogurt pops, launches this month in 170 military bases nationwide. The strategy is unique in that ProYo will achieve national distribution through the military before seeing the same geographic coverage in traditional retailers.

Crowdfunding platform CircleUp announced it has raised a $30 million round of funding to support its own growth and has launched a new fund through 301 INC, General Mills’ business development and venture capital unit.

The past week has seen a variety of announcements to changes to several food companies and management teams. The announcements bring with them a look into the possible blueprints for these companies’ plans for 2016.

Project NOSH hosted its first official strategy and networking conference for emerging natural foods brands at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles on Thursday, Nov. 5. Featuring upwards of 20 seasoned experts from the space as presenters and panelists, the audience of entrepreneurs were treated to an educational event that dove deep into an accelerating and evolving natural and organic foods world that has become more norm than niche.