News

The Plant Based Food Association has created a new nonprofit arm, dubbed the Plant Based Food Institute, to address industry-related policies and effect change along every step in the industry’s value chain.

This week’s smattering of notable new products brings autumn-inspired ice cream sandwiches, a better-for-you iteration of classic Mexican candies and breakfast sausage innovations.

In this week’s roundup: Brazi Bites launches an accelerator programs for Latino business owners, PepsiCo and ADM team up on a new regenerative agriculture initiative, Kroger consolidates its low-price private label lines and Barkley acquires Smiths Agency.

In the natural food world, where sustainability, sourcing practices and nutrient density have become key consumer interests, fresh seaweed is starting to surface.

Vegan meat company Upton’s Naturals is rebranding its Chicago cafe into a “launchpad” for emerging CPG companies to showcase new plant-based food products.

Food companies and makers are finding varied success marketing functional ingredients and wellness-oriented products to consumers shopping in the better-for-you snacks and sweets categories.

Chitra Agrawal, the founder and CEO of Brooklyn Delhi, a brand of Indian-inspired pantry staples crafted for modern kitchens, spoke about why consumer education requires patience, how she leveraged the brand’s strengths to win over Whole Foods and why profitability has always been top of mind. She also explained how she created favorable contracts with co-manufacturers and how an omni-channel sales strategy has benefited the company.

Toronto-based food brand Wholly Veggie has launched a new three-SKU entree line, ‘The Good Lunch,’ at Whole Foods Market and Sprouts stores nationwide, marking the brand’s first foray into frozen entrees.

Nestlé’s U.S. R&D Accelerator has partnered with animal-free dairy company Perfect Day to launch an alternative dairy “novel product” that will pilot in the U.S. market later this year.

Indoor farming company Gotham Greens announced today it raised $310 million to expand the reach of its “decentralized agricultural” systems nationwide and expand its array of CPG products, with new launches set for later this month.