News

Israel-based alt-dairy start-up Remilk announced yesterday it has raised $11.3 million to expand production and distribution capabilities of its animal-free proteins in preparation for commercial launch as an ingredient supplier in the U.S. and other global markets.

The NOSH Live Winter 2020 — taking place on Dec. 14-16 — features some of the leading executives and thought leaders in the industry over the three-day conference. Access the event venue.

In the latest distribution news, Outer Aisle adds 2,200 new doors, Hooray Foods debuts its plant-based bacon in Whole Foods, Ithaca Hummus brings four flavors to Sprouts nationwide and Catalina Crunch launches new flavors of its keto-friendly cereal in retail.

In this week’s investment-focused Checkout, Serenity Kids raises $3 million to add to its executive team and launch new products; TerraCycle closes a $25 million funding round to grow reusable CPG platform Loop; Gotham Greens brings in $87 million to expand operations; and My/Mo Mochi secures investment from Bregal Partners.

After celebrating a decade in business this fall, which consisted of a “series of small victories,” according to founder and CEO Starr Edwards, Bitchin’ Sauce is taking on a new challenge. Eyeing growth beyond its core sauce line, the almond dip brand is targeting the convenience store channel with its new Bitchin’ Snacks line, which rolled out at 7-Eleven locations across Southern California last month after an initial launch through the retailer’s Sips & Snacks program.

Building out their stake in rising consumer trends like gut health and plant-based diets, Chobani this month is releasing a broad slate of new products, including the Chobani Probiotics line of yogurts and drinks, and flavor extensions to its existing oat milk and creamers portfolio.

Chicago-based food tech company Nature’s Fynd announced this week it has raised $45 million in funding and has added four new food industry veterans as the company gears up to bring its animal-free meat and dairy alternatives made from fungi protein to market next year.

Using his past experience building a brand catering to special diets, Fody Foods founder and CEO Steven Singer has set his sights on promoting gut health and making comfort foods accessible to consumers suffering with digestive distress. To reach this goal, the Montreal-based gut-friendly food brand has raised C$8.5 million (approximately $6.6 million USD), it announced today, to support expanded distribution and new marketing initiatives for its low FODMAP product line of sauces, dips and snacks.

Once Upon a Farm co-founders Jennifer Garner and John Foraker spoke about the evolution of the company’s strategy for winning over retail buyers, merchandising and communicating brand attributes over recent years and why they believe that “everything starts with the consumer.” They also discussed the company’s relationship with Save The Children and its response to the Black Lives Matter movement.

In a year that has seen massive upheaval in retail, technology and production systems, coupled with a renewed focus on societal issues, the brands that have found success in 2020 are those that were able to be nimble and creative, yet also stayed focused on the goal of creating and selling and increasing the amount of better food products. The finalists for NOSH’s “Best of 2020” Awards reflect the varied skills required to be a successful food company in 2020, including tenacity, creativity, care, vision, planning and execution.