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

Whether you’ve raised millions of dollars, been in the market for over a decade, have a cult following or just recently launched, renaming can be an amplifier to success, not a deterrent. Reframing a name and brand change is an opportunity for greatness rather than an admission of failure.

After two years on the market, breakfast bar maker Over Easy is looking beyond its core category with the goal of becoming a convenience-oriented brand “for the masses,” according to Kyle Maggard, founder and CEO.

Consumers are searching for new forms of convenience, whether as clever packaging or new products, and prioritizing exciting and unfamiliar flavors at mealtime, according to market research firm IRI’s annual New Product Pacesetters report, released yesterday.

A new report by the Specialty Food Association shows that growth in the specialty food market has changed as the pandemic’s evolution over the last two years has brought dramatic price increases and a shift in consumer shopping and eating priorities. The category grew by 7.4% in 2021 as compared to 5.8% in 2020, reaching $175 billion in sales.

Fermented foods company Cleveland Kitchen announced today it has raised an additional $19 million, as well as completed the acquisition of Sonoma Brinery. The deals will allow the company to more aggressively pursue expansion into new products and manufacturing capabilities.

Beyond Meat, which has been in a legal dispute with former manufacturing partner Don Lee Farms for almost five years, has now been hit with a case by consumers claiming they’ve been misled and lied to about the comparability of Beyond’s protein to animal products.

Venture capital firm PowerPlant Partners today announced an investment in and partnership with holding company SYSTM Brands to launch SYSTM Foods, a new platform focused on acquiring sustainable and socially conscious food and beverage brands. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

It’s time to reveal the players in the 12th installment of NOSH’s Pitch Slam, the leading business pitch competition for the food industry. The competition features 11 of the hottest startups in packaged food, all creating innovative products spanning a wide range of categories including confection, prepared meals, international, snacking and functional foods.

Portland, Oregon-based frozen food brand Rösti will reorganize under the name Crispy Filled Inc. after buying out business partner L2M Brands for an undisclosed sum, the company announced this week. The company partnered with L2M Brands, the venture arm of ingredient supplier Bridgewell Agribusiness, shortly after its 2019 launch and received a capital investment from… Read more »

While a sweeping, nationwide recall of one of Smucker’s flagship product lines, Jif, may have stunted gross profits this quarter, the CPG giant reported today that net sales increased 6% to $113.6 million during Q4 FY2022.

When The Coca-Cola Company announced last month its decision to discontinue Honest Tea by the end of the year, the brand’s founders were dismayed by what they believed was a shortsighted decision. Two weeks later, they’re brewing up a new line of better-for-you teas to take the mantle. Honest Tea co-founder Seth Goldman announced yesterday… Read more »

In just 7 days, leaders in the natural food industry will gather at NOSH Live Summer 2022 to form new partnerships, reconnect with industry friends, and learn about the latest trends. Be in the room with executives from Whole Foods, Kroger, Partake Foods, Mid-Day Squares, Vital Farms, Magic Spoon, Mondelez International, A Dozen Cousins, and more.

Don Lee Farms filed a lawsuit against Beyond Meat last week. Allegations against Beyond Meat include misleading consumers, touting inaccurate nutrition labels that violate FDA regulation, creating unfair marketplace competition and a range of underlying issues with the company by CEO Ethan Brown, who is described in the complaint as having “an appetite for excuses.”

Get ready to grow! New and emerging brands attending NOSH Live Summer 2022 will have an exclusive opportunity to get an early start at the event with an exclusive educational and networking opportunity starting at 7:45 a.m. on June 13.