Headlines

Originally scheduled for late June, the Summer 2021 Fancy Food Show, renamed as the Fancy Food Show, will now be held September 27-29 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City. The show will be the sole SFA in-person event for this year, after the Winter 2021 Fancy Food Show was previously cancelled.

Legume-based snacking brand Hippeas is shaking things up with a new financial backer, the exit of early investors, and the departure of its CEO. The company announced today that it had raised $50 million from investment firm The Craftory, a move that will make the group the largest shareholder in Hippeas.

Swedish ice cream maker Nick’s believes that the easiest way to get consumers to make a dietary change is to require little to no sacrifice. To help implement that goal, and with an ambitious plan for 2021, the better-for-you food company announced last week the appointment of dairy industry veteran Carlos Altschul as CEO, a move that comes just weeks after the brand closed $30 million in funding.

In this week’s Checkout, cell-based seafood maker BlueNalu raises $60 million; Jensen Meat adds a plant-based division; U.S. Soy launches Sustainably Grown U.S. Soy Mark pilot program; Explore Cuisine owner Ethical Brands acquires Edamama; and SPINS secures new investment.

Things are getting official: as upcycled food brands grow in popularity and consumers continue to scrutinize the environmental impact of what they consume, the Upcycled Food Association (UFA) is taking a major step in helping to shape the way consumers view this emerging movement.

Over the last few years, consumers have continued to gain a better understanding of complex environmental issues connected to our current food system, and have begun to ask more from the food brands that fill their grocery carts. Now, upcycled baking brand Renewal Mill is prepared to meet that demand head on.

Americans are closer to seeing what a federally regulated hemp industry looks like today, after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its finalized regulations.

Here’s the problem for Mondelēz International: it’s obsessed with snacking, but consumers are changing what they eat when they snack. Here’s the solution, according to Glen Walter, who is the company’s North American president — buy a company that’s firmly grounded in those changing tastes.

In the latest distribution news, jerky brand PREVAIL builds on West Coast ecommerce success with its retail launch at Erewhon, Otamot rolls out its full sauce line at Sprouts stores nationwide and plant-based meat brands make a push in the foodservice channel.

In this week’s Checkout: WM Partners acquires Jade Leaf Matcha; KIND updates its KIND Kids packaging as part of racial inequality commitments; the fifth annual PepsiCo Greenhouse Accelerator turns its focus to food tech companies; and Gainful and CookUnity close funding rounds.