News

COVID-19 is changing the landscape for innovation as accelerators find digital ways to help new brands grow and trade shows stall for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, two large manufacturers see COVID-19 cases in plants. Here’s the latest COVID-19 news from around the industry this week.

Whole Foods Market has issued a variety of policy changes for vendors who come in contact with store employees as it works to cut back possible routes of transmission of the COVID-19 virus.

Yesterday, John Raiche, EVP of supplier services at UNFI, discussed in detail how the industry is adapting to the changes brought on by the novel coronavirus in a webinar hosted by the Hirshberg Enterprise Institute. Raiche offered advice for how brands can adapt to the new environment while providing an update on how UNFI is responding to the demands of the crisis.

Senior executive Carla Vernón has left General Mills, where she led the organic brand and the rest of the company’s natural and organic division. Looking forward, Vernón said that she has “exciting new ventures” that she is working on, but for now, they remain confidential.

As grocery workers help feed Americans sheltering in place, at least 30 have died from COVID-19, with nearly 3,000 reporting missing work due to symptoms, according to the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW).

Plant-based dairy brand The Coconut Collaborative is pushing ahead to strengthen its position in the US market. Today the brand announced it had closed on a round of funding from PowerPlant Ventures, has brought on new US CEO Meiky Tollman, and that it is rebranding as The Collaborative.

The seventh round of food and beverage brands includes PathWater, The Snack Brigade, Ficks Beverage Co. and Mason Dixie Foods. We also have a special co-host this week, Patrick Schwarzenegger, an actor, investor, and entrepreneur, who will weighing in on the brands from an investor’s perspective and provide feedback.

Despite new challenges due to an uncertain business climate, things are looking sweet for low-sugar chocolate brand Lily’s Sweets. Driven by the success of its chocolate chips, which account for 30% of sales, the brand launched its first snack item — a low-sugar chocolate chip cookie — into stores last week.

BevNET managing editor Martin Caballero sat down with Greg Steltenpohl, co-founder and CEO of Califia Farms, on a video call to discuss his thoughts on how both investors and brands may be considering the current and post-COVID market landscape.

Snack brand Supernola debuted in retail in February and is now selling its organic granola clusters in 8,000 stores, including Walgreens, select Giant and Whole Foods locations and natural retailers.