Monica Watrous

The specialty food industry said “aloha” to a handful of Hawaii-based brands during the Winter Fancy Food Show in Las Vegas this week. A cohort of exhibitors from the University of Hawaii Leeward Community College’s ‘Āina to Mākeke program showcased locally produced and heritage-inspired snacks and pantry staples.

Purely Elizabeth Cookie Granola was the biggest new product line launched in the granola category last year, creating new eating occasions for a segment traditionally tied to the morning meal and propelling the brand’s sales up 85% year-over year, according to SPINS data. This week, Purely Elizabeth expanded the cookie-inspired granola line with the addition of a peanut butter recipe, crafted with organic oats, coconut sugar, coconut oil, chia seeds and maple syrup.

The final Winter Fancy Food Show kicked off at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Sunday and while the atmosphere on the show floor was slow to start, exhibitors showed off a taste of what’s next in global flavors, better-for-you snacking and more.

Jeni Britton, founder of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, today debuted a new snack brand focused on gut health and sustainability called Floura & Co. The brand is embracing upcycling with its first product, a Fruit Crush Bar, crafted from overlooked plant parts like watermelon rinds and apple cores, plus a blend of white chia, pumpkin seeds and puffed quinoa, with 13 grams of fiber from 12 whole plants.

Misha’s, Inc. is expanding its portfolio of premium dairy-free cheeses with the acquisition of Vertage in a deal that leverages Vertage’s partnership with Fresh Del Monte Produce, providing access to its comprehensive logistics network and capabilities. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. “By integrating Vertage’s expertise and leveraging Fresh Del Monte’s infrastructure, we’re not… Read more »

The Supreme Court is expected to rule soon on a potential TikTok ban in the U.S. that would pose significant challenges for packaged food and beverage brands relying on the platform to reach its 170 million American users. How would a TikTok ban affect the consumer packaged goods industry? And how can brands prepare now?

Flowers Foods’ management team sees significant growth potential for Simple Mills following its $795 million acquisition, as executives outlined plans to broaden the snack and baking mix brand’s distribution, accelerate new product development and amplify brand awareness during a conference call today. The new parent company plans to handle the business with a “fairly light touch, particularly in the early days” to preserve its entrepreneurial spirit.”

Flowers Foods, Inc. announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Simple Mills from company management, Vestar Capital Partners and initial angel investors for $795 million in a cash transaction. The deal is subject to customary regulatory approval and closing conditions and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025…. Read more »

Mesquite may be best known for barbecue, but the plant also produces nutritious pods that can stand in for cocoa beans in chocolate recipes. Enter Mez Foods, a Chicago-based startup that is championing the ingredient in a line of premium tablet bars that are made with mesquite bean flour, plus illipe butter, chufa flour, pea and rice protein fermented by shiitake mycelium, sugar, carob powder and oat fiber.

The Kroger Company and Albertsons Companies this week terminated the proposed $24.6 billion merger agreement that was initially announced more than two years ago, after a federal judge sided with the Federal Trade Commission suing to block the deal and Washington and Oregon state courts put permanent injunctions in place to halt the transaction.