Carol Ortenberg

It’s been 10 years outside the chocolate business for celebrated chocolatier Oded Brenner. But the globally recognized pastry chef and Max Brenner co-founder says he’s back, and now doing “exactly what I want to be doing” with a new, cacao-focused brand platform called Blue Stripes. After opening a Blue Stripes cafe, Brenner is now moving the line into packaged products: last month, the company introduced over 20 new cacao-based products online. Its Cacao Water is the first to launch into brick-and-mortar retail.

Last week members of investment firm N*GEN Partners filed with the SEC to raise up to $125 million for an IPO for Better World Acquisition Corp (BWAC), a newly launched special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). BWAC will look to acquire a company that “benefit[s] from strong Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) profiles” within the “healthy living” sector.

No beans about it, the frozen category is gaining interest from retailers, brands and investors. Hoping to capitalize on this momentum, this week Tyler Mayoras, a former principal at Advantage Capital, announced he has joined frozen wrap startup Cool Beans as CEO.

Media company New Hope announced today that trade show Natural Products Expo West 2021 will be rescheduled, moving from March 2021 to May 24- 27 2021. The organization also released new guidelines for vendors and attendees as it works to evaluate safety measures in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The term “frozen-fresh” may seem incongruous, but that’s exactly what frozen food brand Cappello’s sees as the future of food. The brand, which sells grain-free pizzas, cookie dough and pastas, announced today that it had closed a round of funding to help it reach new consumers and expand its presence in retail channels and product formats.

After spending almost a quarter of a century at General Mills, Pete Speranza wants to “change the food system.” The former business development principal at 301 Inc, General Mills’ venture arm, left the company on August 14 and will join venture firm Unovis as an operating partner.

Attempting to create parity around professional opportunity in the food and beverage industry, three CPG executives announced today the launch of Project Potluck. The organization will start with three initiatives: a mentorship program, monthly community building events and a digital community on LinkedIn.

Over his career, Fred Haberman has founded a PR firm, an aquaponic farm, and even the U.S. Pond Hockey Championships. Now he’s setting his sights on grocery store shelves with the launch of Freak Flag Organics. In this video, Haberman details why he wanted to take on the project of “manifesting vision into products,” and the lessons he’s learned in the process.

Dip and salad dressing brand Litehouse Foods is ready to expand beyond the produce section after announcing today that it had completed the acquisition of pasta alternative company Veggiecraft Farms in July. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Last month Melissa Facchina, founder and CEO of outsourced operations firm Siddhi Ops, and the Finn Family, the backers of Martstar investments, announced the close of their first fund under the newly formed firm Siddhi Capital. Facchina will also partner with the father and son duo of Brian Finn (the former CEO of Credit Suisse USA) and Steven Finn on a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC.