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

On Blue Apron’s third quarter earnings call today, CEO Linda Findley said the meal kit maker experienced a return to more “normal” pre-pandemic conditions during the third quarter and is now aiming to up its marketing spend to attract more customers following a capital raise closed last week.

Erewhon Chief Growth Officer Kabir Jain discussed the upscale grocer’s emphasis on being first when it comes to carrying new and unique concepts, how it defines innovation and why he describes brand selection as both “an art and science.” He also discussed the throughline for fast-growing food and beverage categories, and how the chain is supporting brands with highly actionable sales data.

After finding its own path, Lantern now has its new guide. Last week, the Boston-based cannabis delivery platform announced the promotion of its president, Meredith Mahoney, to co-founder and CEO.

Gavin Konkel recently put together the entire food assortment for Earth Fare — and he’ll talk with NOSH Live attendees about the ways to make gains in retail when he speaks at the conference. Konkel, VP of center store merchandising for the 23-store chain, oversees the company’s grocery and wellness merchandising; after a change in ownership, he was empowered to drive an entire assortment reset geared toward helping Earth Fare meet the needs of the next generation of shoppers.

Canadian publicly traded investment company Eat Well Investment Group has secured a majority stake in PataFoods, maker of baby food brand Amara Organic Foods, as part of the brand’s $12 million Series A funding round.

On Friday frozen food brand The Real Good Food Company (TRGFC) began trading on the Nasdaq. The company’s plans for growth include increasing its distribution, continuing to cultivate a loyal fan base, and expanding its product portfolio.

Sustainability is no longer “just a Wall Street issue,” according to Innova Market Insights’ recent Top Ten Trends for 2022 report.

In this week’s Checkout, UPSIDE Foods opens a new 53,000 square foot facility in Emeryville, California; Utz acquires snack brand RW Garcia; Farmstead announces plans to offer grocers dark store and delivery solutions; and FMI looks at consumer attitudes toward holiday grocery shopping.

Organic smoothie producer Genius Juice, in a partnership with BLD Capital, has acquired refrigerated bar maker Bright Foods, the company announced today. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

On its third quarter earnings call today, Michael McCain, CEO of Maple Leaf Foods — which largely sells animal-based proteins — said growth rates for its plant-based Lightlife and Field Roast brands have “evaporated,” with the category “unexpectedly” seeing deceleration over the past six months that has led Maple Leaf to reassess its plant-based protein business.

The Kellogg Company today reported flat sales across North America during the third quarter as its snacks and frozen segments grew while cereal sales took a hit from ongoing labor strikes and supply chain disruptions.

Black Rifle Coffee Company is going public after it announced this week it will merge with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) in a deal that values the military-focused brand at $1.7 billion.

Frozen novelty brand Dream Pops has raised $6 million as it seeks to move beyond its current portfolio and expand into the confection aisle. Ultimately CEO David Greenfeld wants to reinvent many of America’s “cult classics” for a new generation.

In response to seeing strong demand across its biscuit and chocolate segments and rebounding sales in gum and candy, despite price increases, Mondelēz raised its full year sales outlook ahead of additional price hikes set to take place in early 2022.