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

In anticipation of Veganuary, food companies have been experimenting with a range of dairy alternative launches both sweet and savory. From collabs between Chance the Rapper and Ben & Jerry’s to partnerships between animal-free food tech company Perfect Day and General Mills, consumers have a range of new vegan products to choose from in the new year.

This special edition of the podcast features highlights from interviews with six founders, creators and innovators who joined us on the show during the second half of 2021. Our guests include award-winning television host, chef and writer Andew Zimmern; Vanessa Pham, the co-founder and CEO of Omsom; Erewhon chief growth officer Kabir Jain; Catherine Dockery, the founder of Vice Ventures; Foxtrot Market co-founder and CEO Mike LaVitola; and Danielle LiVolsi, the founder and CEO of Nuttzo.

The plant-based trend isn’t limited to nuggets and burgers, as over the past year confectionary brands have turned their eyes towards consumers’ rising interest in animal-free products.

In this week’s checkout: NotCo launches NotChicken line in Latin America, Marley Spoon acquires Australian meal service Chefgood, Dole Foods renews No Kid Hungry Partnership and Kernel Mycofoods secures $15 millions in funding round.

In this People Moves: Ethical Brands names Melissa Feldman as CEO, General Mill’s chief brand officer takes on “disruptive growth” responsibilities, Jan Albert joins Clio Snacks as COO, Capello’s makes two hires on leadership team and more.

Yesterday’s $67 million fundraise by baby brand Yumi caps off a year of acquisitions and investments in the category — attention that is reflective of both increased discussion of contaminants in baby food and growing interest in getting products to parents through newer distribution methods.

General Mills’ net sales increased to $5 billion during the second fiscal quarter this year, but as with the supply chain snarls that are making things harder for smaller competitors, the cost of making products increased for the CPG giant as well.

Today San Francisco Equity Partners (SFEP) announced its acquisition of a majority stake in Rustic Bakery, the organic food producer and cafe owner behind the Rustic Bakery line of crisps and cookies.

Hector Saldivar, the founder and CEO of Tia Lupita, explained why the brand is focused on updating and innovating upon authentic Mexican food, how he’s educating consumers about esoteric ingredients, the retail strategy for three distinct product lines and what he’s learned as an immigrant entrepreneur.

In this week’s distribution roundup: Yolélé launches its West African inspired products at Target, African Dream Foods partners with zoos across the country, Blue Apron innovates with Amazon Alexa, Bubbies introduces its mochi to Publix and more.

Walmart broke down its approach to climate change initiatives during an ESG-focused discussion for investors earlier this month, committing to reducing its emissions company-wide to zero by 2040 and actively assisting its suppliers with climate-positive innovations.

Salty snack brand The Good Crisp Company announced last week that it has closed what it described as its largest funding round to-date as it seeks to make the jump from natural retailers into conventional grocery.

As part of its goal to utilize more of its star ingredient, coconut-based product brand Harmless Harvest has announced the launch of a line of coconut puddings.

Isreali food tech company Future Meat announced today it has raised $347 million in Series B funding co-led by ADM Ventures, the investment arm of global food processing company Archer-Daniels-Midland, with participation from Menora Mivtachim, S2G Ventures, Tyson New Ventures, among others.