Headlines

With several recently disclosed investments in prominent food-related companies, activist investors are turning up the heat on CPG brands, retailers and related companies. In keeping with the tradition of activist investors, the message is clear: fix your issues, or else we will.

The chickpea-based pasta company announced it had closed a round of funding with District Ventures Capital, a venture fund and CPG accelerator backed by Canadian food processor, distributor and retail owner George Weston Ltd.

Snyder’s-Lance, The Kraft-Heinz Company, Tyson Foods, and Dean Foods all held all held quarterly earnings calls last week to share their latest sales and strategy insights. Here’s a look into what some of these leading players are up to.

While Steve Savage has been bringing environmentally friendly brands to the table for decades, it wasn’t until recently that they were the kind you could eat. The former CEO and founder of Eco-Products, Savage recently focused his attention on consumer products, backing better-for you brands under the corporate name 1908 Brands. But cleaning up in the food aisle has been more arduous than Savage expected, and as a result, 1908 has decided to take some time to digest.

Business isn’t something to be left to chance; sometimes you have to make your own luck. Episode 70 of BevNET’s Taste Radio podcast spotlights a recent conversation with Jeff Church, the co-founder and CEO of Suja. At the helm since 2012, Church has guided Suja’s remarkable ascent as the leading brand in a highly competitive category.

When trying to establish and grow a brand, entrepreneurs have to think about product, people and persistence. Jason Cohen, the CEO and co-founder of Halen Brands, has all three top of mind. At NOSH Live this past June, Cohen sat down with Project NOSH Editor Carol Ortenberg for an inside look at his success in the industry.

The company announced Wednesday that it had received $2 million from previous investor Advantage Capital Agribusiness Partners, which will be used to help the brand move beyond the baby aisle with other “tummy friendly,” shelf-stable products that can appeal to older children.

Now under new — albeit temporary — leadership, a plant-based dairy leader is launching a new product set. Almond-based cheese and yogurt brand Kite Hill announced this week the launch of three new products to expand the brand’s presence in the dairy set.

The acquisition will bring Innophos deeper into the branded, functional ingredient space, and help the company launch a new health and nutrition platform of ingredients for brands.

Sprouts Farmers Markets, Natural Grocers, Kellogg’s and B&G all held quarterly earnings calls for investors last week. Here are three areas all four companies will be focusing on to fuel future growth.