Headlines

How Barnana Co-Founder/CMO Nik Ingersöll makes ugly bananas look amazing; also featured: an exploration into the brain-boosting business of nootropic beverages and why CBD drink brands might find a friendly bill coming their way.

David Wild, Vice President of Shrewd Food, is on a mission to provide a high protein alternative to classic snacks. The company’s new line of baked cheddar protein crisps boasts 14 grams of protein per single-serve snack bag, while maintaining low fat and low carbs.

Despite having enjoyed rapid growth while under the auspices of CPG giant Campbell’s, breakfast brand The Soulfull Project announced this week that it would spin-off as a unique entity. The shift in ownership comes as Campbell’s refocuses on its core businesses.

Ingredient company Perfect Day believes that doing good and making money don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Now with the launch of its first product, Perfect Day plans to show how this model is possible. The company, which produces animal-free dairy products, announced last week a partnership with global ingredient firm ADM that aims to demonstrate the market potential of its technology through the launch of a milk-free whey protein.

Ugly Drinks co-founders Hugh Thomas and Joe Benn discussed growth planning for both the U.S. and U.K. markets, how the perspective of Ugly as a “digital brand” has shaped its overall business strategy, and how its loyal consumers — aka the “Ugly Mob” — have enabled the company to rapidly iterate and innovate.

The 10 largest U.S. food and beverage companies need to step up efforts to improve the nutritional content and accessibility of their highest-selling products, according to the first-ever U.S. Access to Nutrition Index.

Samy Kobrosly, Co-founder and Chief Snack Bagger of Snacklins, has reimagined indulgent junk food with a line of crunchy, salty vegan chicharrones made from mushrooms, onions and yucca root. At 80 calories per bag with a low price point, the brand offers consumers a healthy and affordable vegan version of a popular meat snack.

To give consumers a boost in their kitchens, food brand BOU announced today the close of a $4 million dollar round of funding. An undisclosed family office invested $1.5 million, according to Jakobi, who also took part in the round himself.

Sometimes to see growth you need to add a little fertilizer. That’s the concept PepsiCo hopes to offer brands with the Nutrition Greenhouse. The soda and snack giant’s food and beverage accelerator yesterday announced the nine brands to join the program’s inaugural North American class. Each company will be given a $20,000 “no strings attached” grant and challenged to “demonstrate collaboration and measurable progress” in an “entrepreneurial fashion.”

Daily Harvest is breaking out of the cup. Last week the brand launched a new product line that strays from its core cup packaging and subscription model for the first time. The brand also opens a new interactive retail space this week. Founder and CEO Rachel Drori told NOSH that the new products were “co-created” with the brand’s customers.