Headlines

After enjoying a 40% year-over-year sales increase this year, natural snack maker Bobo’s is looking to meet rising demand for its oat-based bars, bites and toaster pastries with a new facility in Loveland, Colorado that is set to triple its production capacity.

Award-winning television host, chef and writer Andrew Zimmern joined us for an expansive conversation about his new TV series “Family Dinner,” why he has an affinity for certain CPG brands, his belief that believes elitism is hampering solutions to issues of food accessibility and affordability and his position that GMOs – applied within reason – continue to play an important role in the food system.

Experts from wholesale distribution company KeHe believe flavors such as hibiscus and yuzu, new food technologies and brands that also serve social causes to be the most important themes among food and beverage categories, driving innovation in the new year.

The J.M. Smucker Co. announced the results of its Q2 2021 earnings this week, highlighting a 1% increase ($16.0 million) in overall net sales and strong, positive momentum behind its food, coffee and pet product brands led the company to raise its full-year guidance for 2022.

Frozen plant-based meal delivery company Mosaic Foods yesterday announced it has raised $6 million in a seed round to support a planned retail launch as well as the growth of its direct-to-consumer business.

After a challenging year that has seen the company grapple with supply chain issues and a manufacturing change, sorbet maker SorBabes is ready for a fresh start with a new focus on frozen novelties. To support this new direction, the company has also debuted rebranded packaging and a social media campaign emphasizing the importance of indulgence.

Plant-based meat maker Impossible Foods announced today that it closed a $500 million funding round, bringing the company’s total capital raised to over $2 billion since it was founded in 2011. The round was led by Mirae Asset Global Investments, which also led the company’s $500 million round which closed in March 2020, in addition to participation by existing investors.

Collaborative community organization Naturally Los Angeles formally launched last week with the goal of increasing access to education, resources and capital for natural product companies based in Los Angeles in order to promote sustainable business practices and conscious growth.

For many consumers, the onset of autumn means one thing — pumpkin spice-flavored sweets and snacks. Brands put their own twists on the fall favorite flavor this season, with new limited edition launches from coffee and cereal to protein bars and peanut butter. Check out the gallery for this fall’s seasonal releases, including sweet potato granola from Jamie’s Farm and a charitable launch from Once Upon a Farm.

In this week’s Checkout: Sundial Foods Closes $4 Million Seed Round, Stryve Reports Third Quarter Earnings and Jameela Jamil Joins Oathaus as Investor and Social Impact Advisor.