Carol Ortenberg

Back to the Roots this week announced the launch of its Organic Hemp Starter Grow Kit. The kit allows consumers to grow five hemp plants that can be used to produce hemp oil, hemp tea or hemp hearts.

Organic food producer Tessemae’s is ready to move on to the next stage — a warmer one. Today the brand announced it will begin selling shelf-stable products with the launch of Tessemae’s Pantry, a new line of salad dressings. The company is also reformulating its condiments line to be shelf-stable.

Protein snack producer Lenny and Larry’s has upped the cash reimbursement available to consumers in a settlement offer in order to conclude litigation around the product’s protein claims. The changes came after the U.S. Department of Justice’ Consumer Protection Branch urged a federal judge in Illinois to reject the company’s previous offer as too low.

Magic Spoon cereal co-founders Gabi Lewis and Greg Sewitz hope to do for cereal what Halo Top did for ice cream: revamp an “outdated” indulgence product type with engaging branding and a strong macronutrient profile. Magic Spoon will initially be sold online for roughly $10 a box, with a four-box minimum order.

Hal’s New York is moving beyond beverage. Last week the brand, which is backed by and distributed through New York DSD powerhouse Big Geyser, launched a line of bagged kettle chips and popcorn.

While the appetite for investment in meat snacks may be waning somewhat, investors are still hog wild for innovative brands in the category. Yesterday meat snack brand 4505 Meats announced the close of a round of funding led by Encore Capital, with investment firm CircleUp also taking part.

Last year John Roulac, the former CEO and founder of superfood brand Nutiva, started a CBD business as a “hobby.” Now RE Botanicals is in 150 doors with commitment for another 850, has 10 employees and as of today, a backer with money. The company announced today the close of a $2 million round of funding, with $1 million of the investment from firm BIGR Ventures.

Growpacker, a Canadian contract manufacturer of THC- and CBD-infused edibles and beverages, announced yesterday its plans to launch an investment accelerator that will allow the company to invest in “key supply chain and technology partners.”

In an interview recorded at Natural Products Expo West, BevNET and NOSH Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Klineman sat down with Stonyfield founder Gary Hirshberg to discuss the company’s history, what the future for the brand looks like under new owner Lactalis and how the category has changed.

Since launching in 1996 beauty brand Pacifica has grown from a niche player to a mass market darling. But along the way, some things have remained constant — namely founder and CEO Brook Harvey-Taylor’s understanding of her core consumer and innate ability to remain culturally relevant despite a category that thrives on what’s “new.” Now the brand is is taking a leading role in the emerging sub-category of “edible beauty.”