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

In this week’s distribution roundup, Solely expands its retail footprint to 18,000; KPOP Foods’ sauces hit shelves at The Fresh Market and Fresh Thyme Market; and Barebells launches at GNC.

Last week plant-based producers Quorn and Planterra Foods announced the opening of new R&D facilities to help accelerate their respective innovation pipelines. For both companies, establishing new U.S.-based headquarters labs and testing facilities not only speaks to the importance of the North American market, but also how heavily plant-based CPG companies rely on innovation in order to gain share.

What’s next for plant-based brands? Chicken nuggets, it seems. Chicken is the most-consumed meat in the country, according to the USDA, and nuggets, like burgers, are an easy stepping stone for meat eaters to transition to a plant-based diet. They’re also particularly appealing to families and younger consumers, fit right in on restaurant menus, particularly fast food, and most importantly, are cheaper to make than other product types.

Chef Ming Tsai may be best known for his Emmy award-winning television program, high-end restaurants or even for landing on People’s 50 Most Beautiful People list, but now he wants to be known for something else: creating an affordable alternative to the Hot Pocket. And he’s on his way — roughly a year after launching his new CPG endeavor, MingsBings, Tsai’s plant-based, frozen bings are sold in five flavors at stores across the East Coast, and are now targeting national distribution.

Last week, plant-based cheese and butter maker Miyoko’s Creamery emerged victorious in what could be a landmark legal case for dairy and meat alternative CPG brands. Citing the company’s first amendment rights, a California judge ruled the company can continue to use terms such as “butter,” “lactose-free” and “cruelty-free.” However, while the case could provide plant-based brands with some much needed legal precedent to defend the practice of using meat and dairy terms on their labels, the fight ahead is anything but cut and dried.

In this weeks checkout: Cox Enterprises acquires Brightfarms, Apeel Sciences closes another $250 million funding round, TRUFF teams up with Taco Bell and Brave Robot launches cryptocurrency payment options.

The Sept. 9 speaker lineup combines experience in determining growth strategy, applying tactics to fuel that growth, and the kind of trade-offs around resources that take place as brands move into periods of growth and scale.

NOSH is featuring innovative condiment brands during the Product Showcase portion of this month’s Category Close-Up, examining the trends and news that are currently shaping the category. This video features Red Clay Hot Sauce, Brooklyn Delhi, Halo and Cleaver, Bushwick Kitchen and Bachan’s.

San Francisco-based office food service provider and snack delivery service garten today announced its acquisition of East Coast sister companies LeanBox, a provider of healthy fresh food kiosks, and Grind Coffee, an office provider of coffee kegs and beans. The deal gives West Coast-focused garten access to LeanBox’s East Coast accounts.

Canadian cannabis producer Tilray Inc. has acquired a majority stake in dispensary chain MedMen in a $165.8 million deal, the company announced today.

Meat Snacks brand Country Archer is making moves from grass-fed beef to mushrooms, announcing today the launch of a new line of plant-based jerky. The launch comes after the company also added new CPG leaders to its executive team in preparation for its next phase of growth.

In this month’s Category Closeup Condiments: Expert Analysis, we’ll hear from a group of industry leaders about the tactics, trends, and efforts successful condiment brands must embrace. We’ll explore both the unique dynamics of the set, as well as the opportunities for growth and innovation.

On its first quarterly earnings call since going public last month, Stryve Foods reported net sales were up 71.8% to $7.4 million for the quarter and gross profits of $3.6 million in the second quarter, an increase of 148.3%. The company also discussed its ecommerce strategy, its plans to reach Hispanic shoppers and why it decided to enter the nutrition category.

Alongside healthcare, financial services and software companies, dozens of food and beverage brands were ranked on Inc.’s annual 5000 list of the fastest-growing privately-held companies in the United States. Released today, the 2021 list features an array of companies with a direct-to-consumer focus, highlighting the pandemic’s lasting impact on consumer shopping habits.