Erin Cabrey

Since its launch almost a decade ago, ReGrained has struggled to find a solution that can make a dent in the billions of pounds of spent grain left over from the beer brewing process. For years, that has meant attempting to reduce this food waste, both through its own CPG product lines and as an ingredient supplier. But after seeing mixed results from its bifurcated business model, ReGrained is pivoting away from “resource intensive” CPG products in favor of focusing on ingredients.

In this week’s Checkout, food tech company Plantible closes a $21.5 million funding round; Kevin’s Natural Foods secures investment; and The Campbell Soup Company reports its fourth quarter and fiscal 2021 earnings.

In this week’s Checkout, Misha’s Kind Foods raises $3 million; Chobani debuts paper cup packaging for its Oat Blend yogurt line; Acosta looks at post-pandemic grocery shopping habits; and Hain Celestial reports its Q4 and 2021 fiscal year results.

In this week’s People Moves, VMG Partners brings on Brianna Rizzo as Talent Partner; Bumble Bee adds Connie Shepherd as SVP of Strategy and Business Development; and former Clif exec Liza Darnell joins The PLANeT Partnership as CMO.

In this week’s distribution roundup, Solely expands its retail footprint to 18,000; KPOP Foods’ sauces hit shelves at The Fresh Market and Fresh Thyme Market; and Barebells launches at GNC.

What’s next for plant-based brands? Chicken nuggets, it seems. Chicken is the most-consumed meat in the country, according to the USDA, and nuggets, like burgers, are an easy stepping stone for meat eaters to transition to a plant-based diet. They’re also particularly appealing to families and younger consumers, fit right in on restaurant menus, particularly fast food, and most importantly, are cheaper to make than other product types.

On its first quarterly earnings call since going public last month, Stryve Foods reported net sales were up 71.8% to $7.4 million for the quarter and gross profits of $3.6 million in the second quarter, an increase of 148.3%. The company also discussed its ecommerce strategy, its plans to reach Hispanic shoppers and why it decided to enter the nutrition category.

In this week’s Checkout, Miyoko’s is victorious in its California labeling lawsuit; Mizkan America acquires Born Simple; Coconut Secret announces its sale to Nutiva; and CPG veterans launch a free mentorship program for entrepreneurs.

Citing increasing demand for oatmilk in retail and foodservice, plant-based milk producers Oatly and SunOpta are ramping up production, with both companies announcing plans for new facilities in Texas set to open over the next few years.

In a webinar last week, Sally Lyons Wyatt, EVP, Client Insights at IRI, Christine Boule, Principal, Client Insights at IRI and Alison Bodor, president and CEO of the American Frozen Food Institute, delved into the growing frozen food segment and identified ways brands can navigate the category to win in retail. IRI also dug into how brands can capitalize on growth in the plant-based meat space and what consumers are looking for in meat alternatives going forward in another webinar earlier this week led by Anne-Marie Roerink, president at 210 Analytics and Jonna Parker, Principal IRI Fresh.