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

Nearly 4,000 U.S. food and beverage retailers – including nearly 3 % of U.S. grocery stores – shut their doors last year, according to a study sponsored by the convenience store industry.

In this week’s Checkout: Daily Harvest fights for farmers with new partnership and campaign, Kroger publishes its predictions for the Top 10 food trends of 2022, Upward Farms to construct “World’s Largest” growing facility in Pennsylvania and Above Food and Umiami partner to develop whole cut plant-based meats.

Meat stick producer Chomps announced on Thursday that it has partnered with Stride Consumer Partners to finance the next phase of its growth.

The network will source fonio, among other “underutilized orphan grains,” from over 30,000 smallholder farms throughout West Africa with the end goal of creating sustainable market demand beyond the brand’s own use of this “miracle grain.”

Over the past five years several new brands have come to the bread aisle (and freezers), looking to capitalize on the keto and low-carb movements. Unbun, Hero Bread, Carbonaut and Better Brands all believe that by creating brand identities and innovation strategies around low-carb breads, bagels and rolls, they can cater to rising consumer interest.

As sugar reduction continues to be a top priority for food and beverage manufacturers, seven low- and zero-sugar brands are banding together to form the Alliance to Control Excessive Sugar (ACES), a new business group dedicated to promoting better-for-you products. The group was conceived by its chairman, Super Coffee CEO Jimmy DeCicco, and includes his… Read more »

Fast delivery service Gopuff announced yesterday the launch of Basically, the retailer’s first private label product line.

In this foodservice distribution roundup: Field Roast expands partnership with Wienerschnitzel, Numi Organic Tea now brewing at WeWork, Dippin’ Dots serves up an IncrEDIBLE Eats Spoon, Blimpie goes plant-based with new gardein menu item, Pokeworks pilots OmniPork Luncheon offering and Planet Smoothie teams up with Vital Proteins.

Goat Rodeo Capital managing partner Carlton Fowler reflected upon the data and business criteria that influenced the firm’s initial investments and offered his evaluation of non-portfolio DTC brands and their potential for omnichannel success. He also weighed in on the continued blurring of lines within the non-alcoholic beverage and beverage alcohol industries and explained why Goat Rodeo’s second fund will not include investments in cannabis beverages.

New Year’s resolutions only last so long, and brands are already testing consumers’ will power with new sweet treats. From breakfast granolas to ice cream for dessert, shoppers will find new launches from Ben & Jerry’s, Jamie’s Farm, Egglife Foods and more this month.

The COVID-19 pandemic will continue to impact consumer attitudes towards shopping and eating this year, according to a new 2022 trend outlook report by sales and marketing firm Acosta. Even before the current surge of the omicron variant caused infections to skyrocket, consumers surveyed by Acosta in July and October said they were continuing to… Read more »

Instacart announced yesterday it would launch a service selling ready-to-make meals. The move is intended to help the platform better compete with food delivery services, which have increasingly diversified to offer grocery delivery.

In this week’s Checkout: Kroger expands autonomous grocery delivery partnership with Nuro, Atlast Foods introduces MyBacon with ​​Whitecrest Mushrooms and the Upcycled Certified verification garners ‘Higher Than Expected’ food waste prevention results.

Taste Radio’s hosts reflected upon last week’s highly publicized deal between the Coca-Cola Co. and Constellation Brands, the growing pool of hop-centric drinks and news of Liquid Death’s colossal funding round. They also discussed a “flamin’ hot” line extension for a not-so-NOSHy snack brand, why “Cannuary” is trending among some folks in the office and highlighted several new beverages and bites.