Shauna Golden

Amid continued efforts to ramp up its omnichannel growth, Los Angeles-based specialty coffee brand Chamberlain Coffee has named Liz Ahern as chief marketing officer, where she will be tasked with overseeing brand strategy, distribution expansion and integrated campaign planning and execution across all marketing touchpoints.

Tech-enabled finance platform Ampla Technologies announced this week it has acquired Upside Financing, a move it says will help the company open up a B2B buy-now, pay-later market. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Albertsons has rejected a request by several state attorneys general (AG) to hold off on a special dividend payment totaling nearly $4 billion to stakeholders, stating the dividend plans were developed prior to potential merger discussions with Kroger and payment cancellations could lead to financial and legal liabilities, as reported in Bloomberg.

In response to ever-increasing prices, consumers are adapting to the evolving economy by modifying both their everyday and holiday grocery habits.

Rip Van is hoping to turn the crowded sandwich cookie category on its head with the upcoming launch of its newest better-for-you treat, Leos, which it hopes can help the brand expand upon the potential of its dough and syrup technology.

Minneapolis-based food and agricultural technology company PURIS is launching AcreMade, its first consumer-facing brand.

Plant-based food company Wicked Kitchen has raised $20 million to help it “further ramp up global brand awareness initiatives” and expand retail distribution into other channels, such as foodservice, the company announced in a press release today.

New York-based Italian restaurant Rubirosa is exploring new revenue streams, announcing the company will make its first foray into CPG with the launch of a line of pantry staples.

Jupiter, a “creator-first” recipe and grocery shopping platform launching this week, believes it can serve as the catalyst for social media food influencers to turn their content into shoppable recipes for at-home cooks nationwide.

Following a successful first year, Oatly is brewing up a second edition of its Big Idea Grant initiative to help small coffee businesses pursue their strategies, projects and innovative ideas.