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

This week’s roundup of notable new products saw brands launching heat-and-eat meals inspired by global flavors, creating better-for-you, vegan versions of classic candy bars and crafting a spicy sauce with “one of the most sustainable foods on the planet.”

In this week’s Checkout: NPD finds inflation pushes consumers to bargain grocery shop and visit restaurants less; Creatd Ventures completes acquisition of breakfast brand Brave; Justin’s continues to support the bees; and Luke Bryan makes popcorn to support the future of the agricultural industry.

In their ongoing efforts to win the hearts and minds of U.S. consumers, emerging plant-based meat giants are looking to make their case at the drive-through. But have these moves accomplished their purpose and contributed to ongoing success?

Pangea Natural Foods has launched a pilot partnership with H Mart stores in Texas as part of a larger goal of expanding its plant-based patty business internationally.

Two months after downgrading its full-year guidance due to “unprecedented volatility” and “numerous challenges,” Hain Celestial announced today that net sales for the full Fiscal Year 2022 dropped 4% year-over-year to $1.89 billion.

What started as a way to treat mental health for a father and son has evolved into a wellness-focused tea brand with the support of Gwyneth Paltrow that offers both RTD cans and loose leaf blends targeting marginalized communities.

California-based Goodles has landed its better-for-you mac and cheese in Whole Foods Market stores nationwide, marking its first placement in a natural channel retailer.

Consumer demand for BFY frozen pizza has begun to gain ground on conventional varieties. With this increased demand, brands have begun to view the segment as a mode to expand their better-for-you comfort food lines and reach new areas of the store.

Jen Liao, the co-founder of XCJ, a fast-growing direct-to-consumer frozen food brand inspired by Chinese street cuisine, spoke about how rapid planning and thoughtful execution have paid massive dividends in the company’s development, why self-manufacturing was the only path forward and how XCJ is managing multiple business divisions while continuing to grow and maintain quality standards.

UK-based wellness brand TRIP has closed a $12 million funding round as it expands from CBD-infused drinks and oils into gummies.

Frozen food sales in convenience stores have continued to rise as consumers seek out meal shortcuts and convenient dinner options beyond the peak of the pandemic. In the past year alone, frozen category sales in c-stores rose 18.3%.

Rachel Kusin was announced as Last Crumb’s marketing director earlier this week, where she will be tasked with utilizing an omni-channel marketing approach to help generate more buzz and establish a lasting brand identity for the luxury cookie brand.

This week’s roundup of notable new products saw brands creating new products with fall-inspired flavors, turning popular pureed baby food into a new snack for toddlers and launching superfood cereals packed with Vitamin D3.

In this week’s Checkout: Pressure on the FDA to enact front-of-pack nutrition labels ramps up; Stryve reports record high revenue despite execution challenges and restructuring; Fermented Food Holdings acquires Great Lake Kraut foods business; and the USDA tracks record high honey consumption.