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

After announcing a serving agreement for its credit offerings in March, fintech platform Brightflow has acquired the remainder of lender, investor and software platform CircleUp with an eye on further monetizing AI-driven data and insights platform Helio.

Tony’s Chocolonely is looking to set a new corporate standard that legally protects the values of mission-driven businesses.

Community Call is a recurring series of discussions addressing timely topics within the food and beverage industry. This month, we welcome a range of guests covering topics such as demand planning, event marketing, and finding the right valuation of your business for fundraising.

Sonoma Creamery is ending 92 years in the fresh cheese business after selling off the division to The Atalanta Corporation, marking a formal shift toward a snack-focused future.

Campbell Soup Company offloaded its nut and trail mix brand Emerald Nuts to Minneapolis-based, private label manufacturer Flagstone Foods on Tuesday for an undisclosed amount as the legacy soup company prioritizes its more successful snacking labels.

Fly By Jing founder Jing Gao is entering the retail space with Suá Kitchen and Superette, a grab-and-go market of Sichuan-inspired prepared foods and retail goods.

Backed with over $50 million in investment, former CEO of the Roundy’s and Mariano’s chains Bob Mariano has embarked on his latest venture in the Chicago area, Dom’s Kitchen and Market. The retailer hopes to have 15 stores by the end of next year building on an omnichannel, experiential type of food shopping grounded in prepared foods, heavier product curation and app-based connectivity.

In this week’s notable new products roundup, Van Leeuwen pays homage to artist Keith Haring in crafting a limited edition ice cream flavor, Pompeian expands its portfolio of olive oils and Olli launches what it claims to be the first preservative-free salami in North America.

In this week’s roundup: Stoneyfield expands plant to make 46M yogurt pouches per year; Taco Bell tries to liberate Taco Tuesday; Target faces backlash as Pride Month approaches and SNAC International releases annual State of The Industry Report

This week, Carol speaks with Jorge Gaviria, CEO and founder of Masienda, and its creative director Daniel Klein about how the company’s focus on video and storytelling has fueled new growth in customer acquisition and retail placements — and led to several James Beard award nominations this year.

Israeli food tech ingredient business Incredo LTD, formerly DouxMatok, announced it has closed a $30 million funding round this week which it will use to expand its research, development and commercialization strategy, as well as accelerate commercial partnerships.

KeHE Distributors has entered into an agreement to acquire DPI Specialty Foods, a West Coast food and beverage distributor, the company announced on Wednesday. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Century-old Flowers Foods is no stranger to reinvention but now the bakery conglomerate sees a future strategy in snacking. Portfolio brand Dave’s Killer Bread (DKB) expanded beyond its namesake category for the first time with the launch of a 3-SKU lineup of Organic Snack Bars.

In the latest episode of Elevator Talk, we feature leaders from Little Sesame, Churn Foods, Something Sweet Dough, Struesli and Sea Monsters. Watch founders and CEOs introduce their brands and provide a recap of recent news and updates. This week’s special co-host is Tom Spier, the founder and managing partner of food and beverage investment firm BFG Partners, who shared his thoughts, questions and feedback with the participants.