Monica Watrous

Cleveland Kitchen is preparing for a period of high growth following a few years focused on consolidating manufacturing and expanding operations at its Ohio production facility. The sauerkraut slinger recently raised $2.9 million that will support brand-building initiatives as its founders aim to capitalize on heightened interest in digestive wellness and fermented flavors.

Grillo’s Pickles announced plans to build a $54 million manufacturing plant in Bartholomew County, Ind. The 155,000 sq. ft. facility will employ up to 150 workers and is adjacent to a $175 million King’s Hawaiian bakery operation.

French dairy conglomerate Bel Group has decided to shut down its plant-based cheese brand Nurishh after four years on the market. The business will close by the end of the year, with Bel citing challenges to make it a profitable and sustainable part of the portfolio.

Commerce agency Harvest Group is strengthening its position in the club channel with the acquisition of Next Step Club Solutions, a Costco-focused brokerage firm. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Last week’s blockbuster investment news about David – including a $75 million round from investors and a post-money valuation of $725 million, according to co-founder Peter Rahal – is also creating a supply chain gridlock for a number of other brands.

Will a Yuka-approved, high-protein, seed oil-free brand find favor with the everyday Kroger shopper? Crave New World is about to find out. The frozen food startup is charting a course into more than a thousand Kroger stores this fall after a successful soft launch in Pop Up Grocer and on college campuses in March.

Fermented foods slinger Cleveland Kitchen has raised $2.9 million in equity funding, according to a filing last week with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The brand is on track to hit $52 million this year, supported by new distribution and investments in marketing and operations.

Direct-to-consumer snack company Nuts.com is debuting its first-ever retail-ready brand, Pop & Sol. Initial offerings include four sweet nut and fruit blends launching at select ShopRite and The Fresh Market stores and four savory mixes exclusively on Target shelves.

Bone broth brand Kettle & Fire opened its first manufacturing facility this week on the heels of recent financing. The opening of KettleWorks in Lancaster, Pa., enables the Austin, Texas-based company to unlock significant operational efficiencies and maintain its high standards for quality and transparency.

Whipnotic is rolling into Target this month, as the mass retailer expands its whipped topping set beyond private label. The startup – founded by sisters Lori Gitomer and Tracy Luckow – is slated to join store brand Favorite Day on shelves at 250 locations initially with plans to triple that footprint by year-end.