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

As the assets of dairy conglomerate Dean Foods continued to be divided up following the company’s bankruptcy filing, plant-based dairy brand Good Karma announced today that it has repurchased the majority of the company once owned by Dean and also closed a “significant” amount of capital through new strategic partners.

While it’s been a tumultuous path for Thrive Oil, it seems the road goes no further — Its current owner, ingredient company Corbion, announced the algae-based product line has been discontinued.

In this week’s Checkout, Walmart and Target report Q2 earnings and plans to enhance delivery options, while DoorDash adds grocery stores to its platform. Also, Propeller Industries gains investment from Newlight Partners.

In June, both leaders and ordinary people who work in the food and beverage industry spoke out against racism as national protests in response to the killing of George Floyd brought to light issues surrounding systemic inequality. Now, brands, distributors, retailers and advertising agencies have begun to take action, or build upon previously established efforts to address this inequality, particularly through programs and initiatives designed to support the advancement of BIPOC entrepreneurs.

This episode is all about the art of revisions – moving from a big conceptual picture of the brand and into the details that can make all the difference at the moment of truth aka getting a consumer to choose us.

BevNET and NOSH have designed a platform exclusively for subscribers so that they can work with their peers and our selected experts. Our first Round Table discussion will be with Stu Strumwasser, managing director of Green Circle Capital, on Aug. 26. Stu will be answering questions about valuation trends in the natural products industry, and the overall changes in fundraising and operational strategy that can help guide brands as the capital cycle changes.

Although federal CBD regulations remain in limbo, some retailers are pushing forward to capitalize on consumer interest in the ingredient. This month CBD retail chain American Shaman opened its first ‘store-within-a-store’ concept inside of Kansas City, Mo.-based grocery store Price Chopper.

Facing major disruptions to its traditional business model, New York-based coffee maker Wandering Bear announced yesterday the launch of a new suite of products designed to bring the formerly office-focused brand into the at-home coffee space.

After less than a year on the market, neurosurgeon co-founded brand Cerebelly has made significant strides in its goal to make its brain-boosting functional baby food accessible to kids everywhere. This month, the brand expanded to 1,500 Target locations, bringing its door count to 4,000 stores nationwide.

“New Girl” actor Max Greenfield and serial entrepreneur Mike Constantiner, co-founders of dad-centric consumer products and lifestyle company Dadz, spoke about how they’re attempting to reach a “new generation of dads,” the importance of a strong founding team and why it offers a “shortcut” to a fast start and how the brand is being communicated to the trade and consumer press.

Beloved New York City chain Levain Bakery wants to bring a little glitz to the frozen dessert category, announcing last week it would launch a line of its lauded cookies into grocery stores, the company’s first move into CPG.

Atomo Coffee, maker of “molecular coffee” made not from coffee beans but from upcycled ingredients, announced last week the close of a $9 million seed funding round. S2G Ventures, whose portfolio includes Beyond Meat and Ripple, along with AgFunder and Bessemer Venture Partners participated in the round.

Brands big and small benefit from maintaining good relationships with investment bankers, who often help them navigate important decisions when it comes to fundraising and valuation. On Thursday, September 3rd, brand leaders will have the opportunity to participate in 1-on-1 virtual meetings with investment bankers that have expertise facilitating dealmaking in the food and beverage industry.

In this week’s Checkout, Impossible Foods raises $200 million, Once Upon a Farm launches a shoe collaboration with Tom’s, and Kroger will add a third-party marketplace to its e-commerce site this fall.