Lukas Southard

Cereal and snack maker Catalina Crunch is looking to a future beyond the keto-friendly category by appointing a seasoned CPG executive as CEO last week and shifting its positioning from diabetic and weight-conscious consumers to the fitness-focused community.

Food technology company Voyage Foods ended 2023 with a nearly $22 million payday that was filed with the SEC on December 29. The new capital comes from previous investors Valor Equity Partners, Horizons Ventures, UBS O’Connor and Level One Fund.

SPINS released its “2024 Trends Predictions” full of insights on where the natural products industry might be heading this year including the state of promotional pricing, sustainability claims, healthy eating trends, the evolution of global flavors, and a temperature check on plant-based.

Weaver Holdings, the largest manufacturer of popcorn in the U.S., was acquired by AUA Private Equity Partners for an undisclosed amount. The PE firm has a history of acquiring food manufacturers and aims to inject “efficiency” into the fourth-generation, family-owned business.

For over 10 years, Feel Good Foods has steadily grown its gluten-free frozen snack brand but has now for the first time revamped its packaging while also launching several new products to bring it to a broader swathe of retailers and consumers.

Moving from the executive suite to the consulting table is not always smooth. Former co-founder of Barnana and ex-CEO of keto-friendly bar company CanDo Matt Clifford talked about what he is doing now, his new perspective on the industry and the trends he is keeping an eye on in 2024.

Blackbird Foods is utilizing its foundation in foodservice and a self-manufacturing production model to build a frozen vegan food brand that aims to “displace conventional animal products.”

The Spare Food Co. is targeting a new revenue channel with the launch of its first-ever foodservice ingredient, Spare Starter, made from six upcycled vegetables and used as an ingredient and flavor additive for various dishes.

The recent publication of a recipe for lab grown coffee using plant cell lines opens up a conversation about the balancing act of open-source research and intellectual property in food tech.

The long term impact of GLP-1 drugs on consumer behavior remains to be seen but many CPG food and beverage companies are already preparing.