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

Max Pouvreau, the founder of premium pudding brand Petit Pot, explained why he has always emphasized frugality and cautious spending, how the hire of an experienced operations executive and planning strategy helped the company scale production and achieve profitability and how being ahead of the curve on permissible indulgence has benefited the brand’s development.

New York-based Italian restaurant Rubirosa is exploring new revenue streams, announcing the company will make its first foray into CPG with the launch of a line of pantry staples.

Unilever CEO Alan Jope will retire at the end of 2023. Jope has worked for the global CPG giant for 35 years, beginning as a trainee, and worked his way up to hold a range of senior leadership positions before being named CEO in 2019.

Just two days after Beyond Meat suspended its COO Doug Ramsey, the alt-meat company is losing another operations executive. The company said that chief supply chain officer Bernie Adcock announced on September 20 that he would be stepping down, effective September 30.

This week’s roundup of notable new products brings vertically-farmed salad kits, veggie-coated chicken nuggets and a new look for one of Ben & Jerry’s popular flavors.

Nunbelievable cookies are making a four-state push into Schnucks grocery stores, FILLO’S launches its award-winning Walking Tamales products into retail, OZO plant-based bacon is being offered in breakfast sandwiches in Gregory’s Coffee and Veggie Grill locations.

In this roundup: Grocers embrace new technology to streamline online and in-store shopping; Mondelez opens application process for CoLab Class 2023 program; New clean label emulsifier launches amid sunflower lecithin shortages; and Guacamole pioneer Don Bowden dies at age 90.

Next week, natural and organic product companies and manufacturers will convene at the Philadelphia Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA for Natural Products Expo East 2022. To help our audience of retailers, investors and brands find our BevNET and NOSH Insiders that are exhibiting, we’ve produced a special pre-show Expo East 2022 Booth Guide featuring the company names and booth numbers of our Insiders.

Jupiter, a “creator-first” recipe and grocery shopping platform launching this week, believes it can serve as the catalyst for social media food influencers to turn their content into shoppable recipes for at-home cooks nationwide.

Following a successful first year, Oatly is brewing up a second edition of its Big Idea Grant initiative to help small coffee businesses pursue their strategies, projects and innovative ideas.

In this roundup: KIND is cleared in ‘All-Natural” class action suit, Kashi sued for misleading consumers with pear-filled, strawberry-flavored bars, Kellogg’s served for not putting enough whole grains in crackers and Sabra sued to remove its Kosher mark.

Caliper Holdings co-founder Jeremy Goldstein is stepping down as COO as the company moves into licensing agreement-based business model.

In the latest episode of Elevator Talk, we feature leaders from Spicewell, Aunt Ethel’s Pot Pies, Khalsa Salsa and Toasty. Watch founders and CEOs introduce their brands and provide a recap of recent news and updates. This week’s special co-host is Adam Spriggs, a partner with Thirsty Craft and a founding member of The Angel Group, who shared his thoughts, questions and feedback with the participants.

Alternative protein company Beyond Meat suspended COO Doug Ramsey after the executive was arrested last weekend for allegedly biting another man’s nose.