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

Damiano Messineo, the co-founder of lupini bean frozen pizza brand Loopini, took on the challenge of eating pizza every day for 100 days while training for an Ironman.

The better-for-you cookie brand has closed $2.86 million of a planned $3 million Series A round led by Blueberry Capital, with participation from Listen Ventures, Rocana Ventures, Village Super Markets and Paperboy Ventures.

A federal judge has blocked the USDA from allowing five states to prohibit SNAP recipients from using benefits to purchase soda and candy, ruling that the agency exceeded its authority.

Jams has named Pat McAfee, the host of “The Pat McAfee Show,” as co-owner, marking his first venture in the food and beverage industry. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Gleezy, a premium hot dog brand with roots in the golf world, has raised $2 million in seed funding as it looks to build on rapid retail and foodservice growth.

Protein Pints launched a four-SKU line of ice cream pops today, expanding its potential shelf space in the frozen dessert section.

The Washington, D.C.-based frozen Asian foods brand is launching Chicken Lo Mein and Beef Lo Mein exclusively at Whole Foods locations nationwide, marking its entry into the noodle category and bringing its total assortment at the natural grocer to a dozen items.

Chef Marcus Samuelsson has announced he is entering the packaged food space with the launch of Merkato by Marcus, a new simmer sauce brand.

Ocean Spray has appointed Abigail Buckwalter, a former executive at Nestlé Health Sciences, as president and CEO.

Cameron Smith was slinging whole-food, protein-forward products before terms like “protein-maxxing” and concerns over nutrition for GLP-1 users came into existence.

After tripling sales over the past year and securing a $24 million growth equity investment from VMG Partners, collagen protein bar brand Stars + Honey is making its brick-and-mortar debut with a nationwide rollout at Target.

This week, we’re getting into the challenger mindset with Culture Pop, understanding sustainable growth, and cracking open a box of broken junk for Father’s Day. Hey, what more could you ask for?

In this week’s new products roundup, the Yasso founders debut their latest venture, Like Air expands beyond puffcorn with the addition of rice cakes, and Noosa expands its mix-ins line.

Kroger posted modest first-quarter sales growth and reaffirmed its full-year outlook, but CEO Greg Foran used his first earnings call since taking the helm earlier this year to signal that improving store execution and controlling costs remain top priorities.