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

Plant-based meat maker Impossible Foods announced today that it closed a $500 million funding round, bringing the company’s total capital raised to over $2 billion since it was founded in 2011. The round was led by Mirae Asset Global Investments, which also led the company’s $500 million round which closed in March 2020, in addition to participation by existing investors.

NOSH Live is in just over a week and we’ve released our full agenda. Over two days in Santa Monica, attendees will hear from inspiring entrepreneurs, cutting edge brands shaking up the industry, the new retail guard and established experts in a whirlwind of content.

Collaborative community organization Naturally Los Angeles formally launched last week with the goal of increasing access to education, resources and capital for natural product companies based in Los Angeles in order to promote sustainable business practices and conscious growth.

For many consumers, the onset of autumn means one thing — pumpkin spice-flavored sweets and snacks. Brands put their own twists on the fall favorite flavor this season, with new limited edition launches from coffee and cereal to protein bars and peanut butter. Check out the gallery for this fall’s seasonal releases, including sweet potato granola from Jamie’s Farm and a charitable launch from Once Upon a Farm.

In this week’s Checkout: Sundial Foods Closes $4 Million Seed Round, Stryve Reports Third Quarter Earnings and Jameela Jamil Joins Oathaus as Investor and Social Impact Advisor.

Wholesale food distributor KeHE is rolling out a new look for its private label food brand Cadia in tandem with the debut of a new non-organic line under the banner. Cadia, which sells exclusively to independent grocers, is looking to establish a more eye-catching presence throughout the aisles while also offering price sensitive shoppers more options.

For just the second time ever, NOSH accepted nominations for the awards, resulting in 389 nominations spanning a wide field of brands, products, and campaigns that reflected the diversity and rich tapestry of our food industry.

Chobani Inc. filed for an initial public offering (IPO) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) yesterday, listing the maximum size of the offering as $100 million, subject to adjustment. The yogurt and beverage company did not disclose how many shares it plans to offer and when the listing would take place.

Sales and marketing agency Acosta released a study last week that found that almost a quarter of online grocery shoppers in the U.S. believe they will increasingly use e-commerce platforms to purchase groceries over the next year. According to the survey results, which includes 1,447 respondents from Acosta’s proprietary Shopper Community located across the country, the majority of respondents cited convenience as the primary factor driving the adoption of online grocery.

Dairy alternative ingredient supplier Perfect Day announced on Tuesday it has entered the sports nutrition category with the launch of two new lines of protein powders that feature the company’s animal-free whey as the star ingredient.

Plant-based meat brand Tofurky has joined efforts with the Plant Based Food Association (PBFA) to take on an Oklahoma meat alternative labeling law that went into effect last year. Last week, Tofurky became the latest producer to challenge the law, after Upton’s Naturals and the PBFA failed in their initial challenge, which framed the law as a First Amendment violation.

Plant-based food and beverage maker The Planting Hope Company announced yesterday that it has completed a $9 million IPO through the sale of 22.5 million shares (CAD $0.40 each) and will begin trading later this week on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “MYLK.”

While macaroni and cheese masters Kraft and Annie’s typically market their products to kids and parents, Goodles is aiming to help the pantry staple grow up. Launching today, the new better-for-you mac and cheese brand is offering a protein-packed and adult-friendly take on the classic meal, in part by tapping former talent from the category’s leading players.

David Segal loves tea too much to stay away from the industry. Best known as the co-founder of Canadian loose leaf tea brand DAVIDsTEA, Segal announced today the launch of his latest project, Firebelly Tea, an ecommerce premium tea and accessories brand. Co-founded with Shopify president Harley Finkelstein, Firebelly specializes in high quality teas in sustainable packaging, made without artificial ingredients or flavors.