Food Industry News, Insights, and Education for the CPG Community

In the latest episode of Elevator Talk, we feature leaders from Inspired Indian Cooking, Zwïta, Capitana by Lorenza, Joydays and Chiwis. Watch founders and CEOs introduce their brands and provide a recap of recent news and updates. This week’s special co-host is Mia Medina, the founder of Gather Brands, who shared her thoughts, questions and feedback with the participants.

Mac and Cheese and pasta brand Goodles announced yesterday a $13 million in new capital as it looks to take on its blue box and bunny competitors.

J.M. Smucker will buy longtime Twinkie, Ho-Ho, Voortman Cookie and Ding-Dong maker Hostess for $5.6 billion, according to an announcement today.

This week Red’s Natural Foods CEO and founder Michael Adair shares the lessons he has gathered while operating a clean label frozen brand for 14 years. Also, the team talks club store purchases before discussing how conventional channels are becoming more popular with natural food brands.

In this week’s notable new products roundup, Amy’s Kitchen unveils a new multipack frozen burrito format, Wonderful Pistachios makes its first flavor addition in nearly a decade and Noble Made releases a new Whole Foods-exclusive sauce.

Mycelium-based food startup Meati is rumored to have raised a $50 million Series C extension round. Investors include Bond, Congruent Ventures and Revolution Growth, among others.

Kroger and Albertsons today announced they have entered into a $1.9 billion divestiture agreement with C&S Wholesale Grocers intended to appease antitrust regulators reviewing the companies’ proposed $24.6 million merger.

Following the death of a Massachusetts teen who took the Paqui “One Chip Challenge,” Amplify Brands, a subsidiary of parent company Hershey’s, said it will pull the product from stores.

CPG investment and brand development firm Science Inc. – the initial investor behind runaway beverage hit Liquid Death – is asking consumers to pucker up for its latest in-house product: a new brand of gaming-themed snacks called Final Boss Sour.

At NOSH Live on November 30 + December 1 in Marina del Rey, natural food brands are invited to participate in retailer One-to-Ones. Retail buyers from Foxtrot, Thrive Market, and Kroger will be available for private, pre-scheduled meetings during the two-day event.

Seeking to gain U.S. regulatory approval for their proposed $24.6 merger, grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons are in talks to offload 400 stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers for nearly $2 billion, as reported by Reuters.

Asian-inspired pantry staples maker Momofuku Goods has raised $11.5 million in a funding round led by Alliance Consumer Growth to further its national expansion strategy. This is the “restaurant-grade” brand’s second, eight-figure raise this year.

TreeHouse Foods announced today that it will sell its Lakeville, Minn. manufacturing facility and snack bars business to global nut distributor John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc. for approximately $63 million as it shifts focus to becoming a private label leader. The deal is expected to close in the next 30 days.

Confection and nut brand SkinnyDipped raised $12 million, according to an announcement today. The round saw participation from both notable individuals and venture entities associated with celebrities and entrepreneurs.