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

Celebrity-backed Rob’s Backstage Popcorn announced the closing of a $7 million funding round today led by the VC firm of DJ and music producer Kygo, known as the Palm Tree Crew.

Alexandre Family Farm believes old farming practices are in need of new rewards and more support for the environmental ecosystems and rural communities they help sustain.

Good Eggs has raised a new round of capital to help the reportedly struggling online grocer, meal kit and ready-to-eat meal provider continue operating.

Allergy-friendly snack maker 88 Acres has opened a new 30,000 sq. foot bakery in Canton, Massachusetts, significantly increasing its capacity and allowing for a shift back to innovation.

A recent study of 100 individuals published in The New England Journal of Medicine suggests that coffee consumption throughout the day increases physical activity while also negatively impacting a person’s sleep at night; yet, the impact of coffee on the heart are mixed.

UNFI is facing legal action from shareholders after allegedly providing false and misleading financial information following the roll out of its Value Path cost savings initiative, launched in the wake of pandemic-induced supply chain volatility.

Alternative protein player New Age Eats, formerly New Age Meats, won’t be ushering in a new age of proteins under either moniker. On Friday New Age’s founder and CEO announced that the food tech startup is shutting down.

The Oregon-based startup, named for the Eliot neighborhood in Portland, announced on its website this month that it made its last production run in January and would continue to sell through its remaining inventory online and in store as it winds operations down.

The FDA proposed a new rule Friday allowing food makers to use salt substitutes in place of salt in an effort to reduce sodium intake from various processed and prepared foods. The move allows brands greater flexibility in ingredient choice used for flavor enhancement and preservation.

Though emerging globally-inspired flavors were on display across the show floor, CPG brands unveiling new spices and sauces at Natural Products Expo West tapped into the trend in a range of new and interesting ways.

When Scott and Lori Levine began making homemade protein balls as a healthy snack, they didn’t think they would turn the product into a nationwide brand. But now, with nearly 95 stores across seven states, New York-based startup Scott’s Protein Balls is looking to quickly grow its name and footprint.

In this week’s roundup: Manufacturers are set to see cash flow improvements as supply chains challenges ease up; General Mills reports double digit sales growth; Employees report layoffs at Perfect Day; and WayFare earns new allergy free cert.

In this week’s notable new products roundup, Chobani creates better-for-you iterations of classic desserts, DEUX enters the breakfast category with new donut holes and Beech-Nut takes inspiration from the Jurassic era.

On this week’s show, the NOSH team talks pickling and profitability before airing their opinions about the new names and structure of Kellogg Company. Later, we hear from Supergut and Cerebelly CEOs about why they believe the brands’ science-backed approach to functional food will be key to their longevity.