News

CB Insights has dubbed 2019 “the year of getting closer to the consumer,” predicting that the next year will see brands and corporations seek a more direct connection with consumers through e-commerce platforms and personalization.

GT’s Living Foods founder GT Dave discussed why being an “artistic sponge” supported the company’s development Also an interview with Karen Nation, the founder/CEO of no-bake protein bar mix brand Creation Nation, which was victorious in NOSH’s Live Pitch Slam 5.

Puff producer Hippeas this week closed an $8 million round of funding from previous investors. Hippeas has previously raised $14 million, with the last round of $4 million closing earlier this year.

The former members of shared kitchen space Pilotworks were dealt another blow this week as Nursery, the incubator set to reopen in the space, ultimately decided to not move forward with its plans. Nursery founder Adam Melonas cited “conditions” found during pre-inspection.

Condiment company Sir Kensington’s is spicing things up with a new product line and sales channel. The brand, which was acquired by Unilever in April 2017 for $140 million, last week launched a spice kit that is sold direct-to-consumers via a microsite. Eventually the line may be sold in retail

Novamex has acquired Tio Gazpacho for an undisclosed sum, the company announced today, more than a year after the Hispanic-focused beverage marketer first invested in the drinkable soup brand. Primarily an importer of Mexican brands such as Jarritos and Mineragua, Novamex said in the announcement that it is focusing on becoming a growth platform for natural and organic beverages, such as the organic certified Tio Gazpacho.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced new mandatory disclosure requirements for labelling genetically modified foods that will take effect in 2020.

Simon Sacal, the founder of Solely, has worked to bring nutritious organic fruit jerky to market with the use of proprietary technology. The company launched a line of grab-and-go fruit snacks using simple, clean ingredients like banana, cacao, mango and pineapple, which are called out on the front of the package.

At this year’s NOSH Live Alex Trott, merchandising client lead for natural foods at Kroger subsidiary 84.51°, and Katherine Bousson, category manager at Kroger, discussed how the grocery chain has transformed its approach to working with emerging brands and why it’s been a vital component of the company’s success.

Mapping this new landscape of cannabis CPG and charting a path forward for the nascent industry was the focus of discussion at the first-ever Cannabis Forum for Food & Beverage, presented by BevNET and NOSH, on Dec. 1 in Santa Monica, Calif.