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

In the latest distribution news, Know Brainer’s Max Mallow line expands at Walmart, Undercover Snacks adds 5,000 stores and Blake’s Seed Based rolls out in 500 Kroger locations.

In this week’s Checkout, Beyond Meat launches Beyond Chicken Tenders in foodservice; Thrive Market reportedly considers an IPO; and Acosta releases a report on post-pandemic health and wellness trends.

After finding success with its low-sugar cereal and sandwich cookies, keto-friendly brand Catalina Crunch is expanding into new snacking occasions with the launch of its new Crunch Mix line. The brand has also rolled out a packaging refresh intended to create a more unified and recognizable brand identity as it makes a larger push into retail and expands into different aisles of the store.

Montreal-based food and beverage maker Buddha Brands has raised $3 million from a funding round led by capital investment corporations BDC Capital and Investissement Quebec, the company announced Tuesday, July 7. The capital will help to fuel further expansion into the U.S. market, as the brand pivots its American business away from beverages to focus on nutritional bars.

Mycelium-based meat alternative maker Meati and cultivated meat company Aleph Farms both announced new funding this week as the companies look to meet the demand for whole-cut meat alternatives with planned commercial launches next year.

Yogurt and beverage producer Chobani announced today that it has filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a potential Initial Public Offering (IPO).

Confectionary brand ChocXO is launching new packaging that executives hope can marry its roots in the keto community with a more premium positioning.

In addition to the latest low-carb offerings, June also brought new ice creams from brands such as Tipsy Scoops and McConnell’s while Oats in Coats and Vital Farms innovated in the convenient, better-for-you breakfast category. Check out the gallery for the latest seasonal launches, allergy-friendly innovations and plant-based protein products.

This special edition of the podcast features highlights from interviews with six founders, creators and innovators who joined us on the show during the first half of 2021.

In this week’s Checkout, General Mills talks “organizational reshaping efforts” in its fiscal Q4 and full-year 2021 earnings call; The Simply Good Foods Company reports a “resurgence” of bars in its fiscal Q3 earnings call; SnackMagic launches new data initiative Snack Drop; and The Single Origin Food Company raises $1.1 million.

Danone Manifesto Ventures (DMV) announced this week that it has acquired a majority ownership stake in coconut products maker Harmless Harvest. Speaking to BevNET, DMV CEO Laurent Marcel and Harmless Harvest CEO Ben Mand said the deal is primed to help the premium beverage and plant-based food maker to expand its presence in the global market.

California-based CBD company Kadenwood announced this week it has raised $50 million in funding, with $20 million allocated to an upcoming national media campaign to drive consumer awareness for its portfolio of CBD brands, including the recently acquired Healist Advanced Naturals and Social CBD.

June saw plenty of keto-friendly innovation from brands, ranging from spicy hot chicken chips to low-carb cereals and cookies. Check out the gallery for some of the month’s notable launches, including plant-based, grain-free products from RollinGreens, GOOD TO GO and Woodridge Snacks.

Frozen empanada brand Cocina 54 came out victorious at NOSH Pitch Slam 10 as the judges believed the brand’s convenient and authentic take on the Latin American staple will help it become a standout in the freezer aisle.