Erin Cabrey

The Kellogg Company today reported flat sales across North America during the third quarter as its snacks and frozen segments grew while cereal sales took a hit from ongoing labor strikes and supply chain disruptions.

In response to seeing strong demand across its biscuit and chocolate segments and rebounding sales in gum and candy, despite price increases, Mondelēz raised its full year sales outlook ahead of additional price hikes set to take place in early 2022.

As snack brands seek to grow their product offerings and reach new audiences, many are turning to bite-sized formats. Bite-sized and miniature products — from sweet treats to savory snacks — have been a core subcategory of the snack set, but the product type recently gained popularity as a form factor because of the “permissibility” surrounding a smaller portion size.

With supply chain shortages and inflated prices, this year’s holiday grocery shopping season may be notably different from years prior, according to IRI. In recent reports, the market research firm has examined grocery demand, out-of-stock rates, holiday promotions and shopping trends ahead of Thanksgiving this year.

In this week’s Checkout, Grupo Bimbo acquires gourmet popcorn maker Popcornopolis; Nature’s Fynd unveils plans for a new Chicago facility; Home Chef surpasses $1 billion in annual sales; and Straus Family Creamery tests seaweed to cut its cow-related methane emissions.

Amid both soaring consumer demand and supply chain constraints, it’s an “exciting and challenging” time to be in the food manufacturing business, according to Brandon Viar, the new CEO at natural product manufacturer Fresca Foods. After over two decades in the industry, the Colorado-based company is refreshing its leadership and growing its category offerings in an effort to embrace a new “entrepreneurial mindset.”

Encouraged by growing retail sales growing across its confection and snacking groups despite supply chain restraints, The Hershey Company increased its 2021 net sales and earnings guidance today, as the company works to optimize in-store placement to boost category sales.

Plant-based meat brand Daring Foods announced the close of a $65 million Series C funding round today in tandem with its launch into 3,000 Walmart stores. The funding round, its third over the past year, was led by Founders Fund alongside existing investor D1 Capital Group. Tennis star Naomi Osaka, NFL quarterback Cameron Newton, DJ Steve Aoki and Tiger Global founder Chase Coleman also participated.

Kraft Heinz raised its 2021 earnings outlook today, with CEO Miguel Patricio noting the company has performed better than previously expected as it continues to mitigate inflation costs and supply chain shortages.

The EVERY Company has rebranded and launched a new product in its latest steps to become the “world’s leading animal-free protein platform,” in the words of CEO and founder Arturo Elizondo. Speaking to NOSH, Elizondo shared more details on the rebrand, new product and what’s next for The EVERY Company.