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

Brad Kintzer, Chief Chocolate Maker at TCHO, discussed the company’s emphasis on sustainable and ethical sourcing as a key metric of quality, how it defines “better” when evaluating progress, how he’s been inspired by winemaking and why, despite TCHO’s cachet, the brand recently introduced massive changes in its formulation and branding.

The co-founders of plant-based food brand The Very Good Food Company were dismissed from the company last week as its board of directors seeks to reverse stock price declines.

The International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems released a new report last week challenging the “silver bullet” sustainability solutions often touted by leading alternative-protein companies. The comprehensive 104-page report, titled “The Politics of Protein,” aims to contextualize eight of the “most contested” and “potentially misleading” sustainability problem and solution-related claims, into the broad realm of the global food system.

This week’s new food launches saw brands creating better-for-you iterations of classic sweet treats. Check out this gallery for this week’s notable new items, including GoodPop Chocolate Vanilla Sandwiches, Enlightened Greek Yogurt Cheesecakes and SweetLeaf Salted Caramel Stevia Syrup.

In this week’s Checkout: market research firms IRI and NPD merge, Rao’s Homemade activates its first popup marketplace in NYC, All Y’all’s Foods supports a Texas Ranch turned vegan sanctuary and Kroger Dallas launches Restaurant Supply program.

For the SuperCharge: Living the Brand virtual event on April 21st, BevNET and NOSH will bring entrepreneurs an interview and live Q&A session with Seth Goldman, the co-founder of Honest Tea who has recently started another brand, Eat the Change, as well as observations and inspiration from new entrepreneurs Zach and Delisa Harper of Funky Mello and Parker Olson of Forij.

Conagra reported a 6% increase in organic net sales during Q3 fiscal year 2022, largely driven by consistent consumer demand for its frozen and snack products. However, the company said it experienced “higher-than-anticipated” market inflation throughout the quarter, which it expects will continue to impact pricing across its frozen, refrigerated and snack businesses.

Liquid Death Sells Out Murder Head Death Club NFT Line Last month, canned water brand Liquid Death entered the NFT realm with the launch of Murder Head Death Club, a line of 6,666 unique NFTs which will grant holders access to exclusive perks. Posting on LinkedIn, Liquid Death co-founder and CEO Mike Cessario said the… Read more »

After receiving a $10 million injection of venture capital earlier this month, functional chocolate bar maker Mid-Day Squares is already putting that money to work, bringing on a slate of industry vets to its executive team, breaking ground on a new U.S. production facility and revealing its fourth SKU – Cookie Dough – set to launch this fall.

Plant-based bar brand Zing announced that co-founder and CEO David Ingalls will transition into the newly created role of Chief Innovation Officer while former CMO Grace Erickson will take the helm.

Frozen entree and appetizer brand Real Good Foods (RGF) announced today the opening of its second production facility in Bolingbrook, Illinois. The move comes after the publicly traded company has brought the majority of its manufacturing in-house in an effort to improve its cost structure, margins and profitability.

In the latest episode of Elevator Talk, we feature leaders from NoBull Burger, Plant Based Seafood Co, Charlie’s Table, Cerebelly and Freestyle Snacks. Watch founders and CEOs introduce their brands and provide a recap of recent news and updates. This week’s special co-host is Cessna Mac, a principal with Amberstone Ventures, who shared her thoughts, questions and feedback with the participants.

Mexican-American food maker Siete announced on Monday the launch of canned beans, a move that takes the brand from snacks, sides and condiments squarely into the center of the plate. The two-SKU line will help the company expand to new parts of the store while continuing to marry its founders’ heritage with a better-for-you positioning.

Allergy-friendly and superfood-infused ice cream brand Sunscoop announced today it has raised $2 million in seed funding led by Vibrant Ventures, an investment firm focused exclusively on plant-based CPG, with additional participation from H/L Ventures and Torch Capital, among other early angel investors. The company said it will use the new capital to continue expanding its team, distribution and product portfolio.