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

In this week’s notable new products roundup, Kodiak expands its high-protein breakfast portfolio, Blue Bell Creameries taps into the protein craze with new ice cream pints, and Real Good Foods introduces high-protein flour tortillas.

On the heels of a $8.5 million Series A funding round in July, premium hummus maker Little Sesame opened its new 23,600 sq. ft. facility in Capitol Heights, Md.

Canadian jams, jellies, and spreads producer Crofter’s Organic has been acquired by food-focused private equity platform Power Sustainable Lios, with co-investments from Farm Credit Canada, BMO Capital Partners, and the Latka family, who founded the brand in 1989.

Large packaged food businesses Barry Callebaut, Primal Kitchen and retail chain Lidl have appointed new leaders recently.

Blue Bell Ice Cream is tapping into the high-protein craze with the upcoming release of PRO pints, the brand announced on Instagram today.

Humble Growth, the growth equity firm founded by Andrew Abraham and Nick Giannuzzi, has acquired a minority stake in better-for-you snack maker simplyFUEL. Financial terms were not disclosed.

HighKey Cookies parent company Creations Foods has merged with Get Real Foods, the maker of REAL Cookies, to create a vertically-integrated CPG platform “dedicated to healthier, better-for-you snacking across North America,” the company said.

Early-stage venture fund Rising Tide Ventures has backed Dr Bombay, the ice cream brand co-founded by Snoop Dogg and The Happi Co. under Bosslady Foods.

Bakery ingredients manufacturer Puratos acquired Vör Foods, a producer of nut butter and nut-based fillings. Financial terms were not disclosed.

This week on the podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Brad Avery discuss Beyond Meat’s expansion beyond meat alternatives, Prime’s foray into protein shakes, DayDayCook’s exit from the U.S., and Chameleon Cold Brew’s future under new ownership.

FoodNerd announced it has closed a $7.5 million seed round led by Selva Ventures, with participation from Cistern Capital, Spacestation Investments, and S2 Ventures as well as angel investor Joe Nieman.

Emerging frozen stuffed pasta player Ripi marked its largest retail rollout to date, expanding the brand to Whole Foods Market stores with a new exclusive flavor.

Four years after selling his frozen burrito company, Red’s All Natural, to private equity firm Bansk Group, founder Michael Adair is leaving the CEO chair. He will be replaced by Andy Reichgut, who has been CEO of Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods for the past four years.

Global food giant Smithfield Foods announced today that it has agreed to acquire hot dog brand Nathan’s Famous in an all-cash transaction valued at $450 million.