Plant-based beverage brand Elmhurst 1925 is making its first foray beyond drinks with the launch of an oat milk-based soft serve mix. The line will be released under a new sub-brand called Elmhurst Creamery, which will house all future plant-based food innovations as the brands gears up for expansion into new categories.

Natural meat snack brand Vermont Smoke & Cure has been sold to sausage company Johnsonville LLC and will operate as a subsidiary, the company announced last week.

Whether it’s in the form of a powder, beverage or snack bar, “Huel is food,” according to founder Julian Hearn. The meal replacement product brand, which seeks to be “lifestyle” oriented rather than just a quick bite, is now expanding beyond sweet offerings into its first savory item, Huel Hot & Savory.

Nutrition platform brand Bulletproof 360 today announced a $13 million capital raise to fund the brand’s omnichannel expansion and the development of products in new and existing categories. The raise was led by Beliv, the Latin America-based business unit of multinational beverage corporation the CBC Group, and Rocana Ventures along with existing investors CAVU Venture Partners and Trinity Ventures.

While it’s fairly common for startup food brands to face challenges in their first few years, there aren’t too many that are thought of as nice-to-haves. Still, Joel Warady believes that things could be a lot worse as he moves into the president’s role at keto-friendly snack brand Catalina Crunch.

Food company Sovos Brands announced today it has signed an agreement to acquire pancake and waffle mix brand Birch Benders, deepening Sovos’ presence in the breakfast and snacking categories as it seeks to expand the brand’s distribution, marketing efforts and product offerings. The transaction is expected to close by the end of October.

Canadian frozen food brand Sol Cuisine announced last week the close of a $10 million funding round as the plant-based brand looks to expand its U.S. distribution footprint, while also investing in new marketing efforts and product innovation.

In June, both leaders and ordinary people who work in the food and beverage industry spoke out against racism as national protests in response to the killing of George Floyd brought to light issues surrounding systemic inequality. Now, brands, distributors, retailers and advertising agencies have begun to take action, or build upon previously established efforts to address this inequality, particularly through programs and initiatives designed to support the advancement of BIPOC entrepreneurs.

After less than a year on the market, neurosurgeon co-founded brand Cerebelly has made significant strides in its goal to make its brain-boosting functional baby food accessible to kids everywhere. This month, the brand expanded to 1,500 Target locations, bringing its door count to 4,000 stores nationwide.

Atomo Coffee, maker of “molecular coffee” made not from coffee beans but from upcycled ingredients, announced last week the close of a $9 million seed funding round. S2G Ventures, whose portfolio includes Beyond Meat and Ripple, along with AgFunder and Bessemer Venture Partners participated in the round.