Shauna Golden

Discussions ranged from between combating rising cocoa prices to capitalizing on seasonal opportunities and injecting global flavors into savory snacks.

Cocoa prices have been on a wild roller coaster ride over the past year, and there may be no end in sight.

Globally-inspired gummy candy maker Better Sour announced today that Steve Wangler has come out of retirement to serve as the company’s SVP of sales.

The CPG industry has taken many approaches to reducing packaging waste. Circular models have emerged as an idealistic solution for one simple reason: there’s no waste created.

On the heels of significant distribution gains in both the U.S. and Canada, caffeinated chocolate brand AWAKE has closed a CAD$5 million (approximately $3.6 million USD) follow-on funding round from Btomorrow Ventures.

The Hain Celestial Group has sold cookie brand Thinsters to Icee and Dippin’ Dots owner J&J Snack Foods in an all-cash transaction. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

In what some have deemed the new wave of candy, brands are actively seeking out new ingredients, textures and global flavors to capture consumers’ attention, and their wallets.

FILLO’s, a Latin American-inspired food brand, is launching two new flavors of its Walking Tamales exclusively available at Whole Foods Market stores nationwide. The rollout bolsters the brand’s partnership with the natural grocery chain.

Yishi has launched a new line of pancake and waffle mixes, seeking to capture a share of the $202 billion breakfast food market while continuing to bring Asian flavors to the mainstream.

The Hershey Company today reported Q4 net sales grew a modest 0.2% year-over-year to $2.65 billion, reflecting inflationary headwinds such as rising cocoa and sugar prices, which are expected to continue constraining earnings growth in the year to come.