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

When rapper Drake wanted to name-drop a favorite restaurant in his 2017 song “Do Not Disturb,” he turned to New York Italian restaurant Carbone. While you might have previously had to be Drake to get into the famed restaurant, getting a taste of that experience is about to be a lot easier. Today CPG veteran Eric Skae announced his new role as CEO of Carbone Fine Food(CFF), launching a line of pasta sauce under the brand to start.

Yogurt giant Danone has acquired plant-based brand Earth Island, maker of the Follow Your Heart line of condiments, yogurts and breakfast items, the company announced last night. In a press release issued last night, Danone noted that the acquisition would give the company “a unique opportunity to strengthen its plant-based business.”

At the annual Consumer Analyst Group of New York (CAGNY) conference, held virtually this year, many leading CPG companies discussed navigating the pandemic in 2020 and laid out their plans and strategies for 2021. Several companies previewed new innovations, particularly in the plant-based meat space, while others highlighted progress against their sustainability goals as well as unveiled new climate-friendly ventures.

One of the most notable behavior shifts that has emerged amid the Covid-19 pandemic is consumers’ move from in-store to ecommerce grocery shopping. In 2020, for example, online grocery sales grew by 48% while brick-and-mortar sales rose by just 6% in North America. But will this shift be permanent?

Having spent the better part of a decade focused on fermented food products like sauerkraut and kimchi, Wildbrine is using its fermentation expertise to expand its horizons this month with the launch of wildCREAMERY, a new line of plant-based dairy alternative products made from the company’s in-house cultures.

Having founded and sold one beverage brand, husband and wife Gary Shinner and Jill Portman are setting their sights on a new segment of the tea category: functional drinks. The two co-founders of Mighty Leaf tea this month launched Good Pharma, a line of coffee and teas infused with functional benefits.

Office Hours, the show where experts bring their strategy and experience to bear against the complexities of growing brands, is returning to serve the BevNET and NOSH community with all-new episodes starting March 3. Join the live studio audience and submit your questions for the upcoming show.

In the latest distribution news, allergen-free snack brand Partake and Blake’s Seed Based make retail gains, Poppy Hand-Crafted Popcorn launches in Whole Foods and keto snack mix maker Hilo Life makes its retail debut.

In this week’s Checkout: HighKey partners with Ryan Reynolds’ marketing firm Maximum Effort; Price Chopper/Market 32 and Tops Markets announce a merger agreement; Mondelēz SnackFutures launches a new startup program; and Kellogg’s and Lotus Bakeries report earnings.

In our December edition of Category Close-Up: Product Showcase we spoke with executives from nutrition bar brands about their latest product launches and the category at large. In this special bonus segment, you’ll hear from several emerging bar brands about the market dynamics that are currently shaping the category and what their companies have been up to over the last several months.

Trying to continue safely supporting the natural products community, media and events company New Hope announced today that it would cancel the in-person aspect of its annual Natural Products Expo West conference, moving the event to a virtual format.

Botanical tonic brand Sunwink is expanding its plant-based platform outside of ready-to-drink beverages with the launch of Superfood Powder Mixes.

Yesterday Post Holdings company announced the formation of a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) entitled Post Holdings Partnering Corporation (PHPC). The blank check company plans to list on the New York Stock Exchange with the intent of raising $400 million.

According to the National Confectioners Association, 86% of Americans said they plan to share a gift of chocolate and candy this Valentine’s Day. To offer consumers a variety of seasonal treats to choose from, brands rolled out several sweet (and a few salty) limited edition products to celebrate the holiday. Check out the gallery for notable Valentine’s Day offerings, including new Theo Chocolate and Honey Mama’s flavors and the return of Grillo’s Pickle Bouquet Kit.