News

How CBD became the hottest ingredient in food and beverage and the factors affecting its future; A conversation with international businessman and investor David Yeung whose global platform, Green Monday, is influencing how governments and corporations consider plant-based food.

In 2016, Target launched emerging frozen brand Yummy Spoonfuls nationwide into almost every store, and in doing so, was one of the first retailers to focus on reinvigorating the baby food category. Now, two years later, after a series of strategic decisions, the brand has relaunched nationwide with a new focus on toddler nutrition.

Allyson Straka, the Founder and CEO of Frozen Garden LLC, is focused on making high quality, nutrient dense food convenient. Her ready-to-blend frozen green smoothies source ingredients from local farmers, allowing the company to go from ground to freezer in the same day, maximizing nutrient retention and improving taste.

This morning, soft drink and snack giant Pepsi announced that it was buying Health Warrior, an upstart snack bar company that is best known for its use of chia — and other nutritional seeds and nuts — in its plant-based products.

Forget omnichannel. Investment fund VMG is ready to help brands become “omni-nation.” At least, that’s the plan according to Kara Roell, the managing director and co-founder of the California-based consumer products investor. VMG and Asian venture firm Hillhouse Capital announced today that the two firms will each allocate $100 million of capital to co-invest in consumer brands that hope to expand their global outreach — particularly in China.

Sausage and hot dog brand Teton Waters Ranch (TWR) is in the business of beef. So it’s a bit of an anomaly that the company’s latest innovation aims to inspire its consumers to eat less of its core product.

With Halloween less then a week away, candy manufacturers are ready for their busiest season. According to new research, Halloween sales in particular should be fairly sweet for producers. And while “clean” products may be the future of the meat category, this week government officials and innovators gathered together to discuss how this emerging category should be regulated. Here’s the news you need to know from this week.

Yesterday’s model for CPG brands is no longer effective. Today they must consider the caliber and sourcing of the ingredients they use, what their investors want, and the myriad ways consumers are shopping for products. In a new report, investment research firm CB Insights outlined ideas for what brands must do in order to stay top of mind.

Nut Crumbs are a gluten-free alternative to traditional bread crumbs that cater to individuals with health or dietary restrictions. Founder Susan Laughlin wanted consumers to have a better-for-you way to enjoy classic breaded and fried comfort foods.

In this episode, we’re joined by chef, restaurateur and TV personality Marcus Samuelsson who spoke about the inspiration behind his cooking and what’s shaping the next evolution of food. We also spoke with Fair Trade USA founder and CEO Paul Rice for a discussion of the aims, success and challenges of the organization, which recently celebrated its 20 year anniversary.