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

Kimbal Musk, co-founder & chairman of The Kitchen Restaurant Group, Big Green and Square Roots, spoke how his urban farming venture, a food literacy project for children and a restaurant chain focused on accessible, healthy meals are contributing to his mission of ‘real food for everyone’ and the advancement of the food system.

Oakland, California-based plant-based meat company Impossible Foods today announced the close of an approximately $500 million Series F funding round, led by South Korea-based firm Mirae Asset Global Investments. To-date, the company has raised to nearly $1.3 billion, including $300 million closed last May.

An aid package that includes help for employees of small businesses is making its way through Congress as the coronavirus pandemic known as COVID-19 spreads across the U.S.

In an email to attendees late this afternoon, Natural Products Expo West producer New Hope announced it would cancel the natural products trade show in favor of focusing on its next large show, Expo East. New Hope has also launched an FAQ page to answer the most pressing questions it has received from the industry.

Mark Alexander, CEO of fast-growing skyr brand Icelandic Provisions, discussed lessons and takeaways from his nearly 30 year career at the Campbell Soup Company, the steepest part of the learning curve in leading an entrepreneurial brand, how Icelandic Provisions assesses trendy concepts and ingredients and how it navigates consumer demand for premium and affordable offerings.

With consumers stockpiling pantry items in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), research firm Nielsen is studying their shopping habits during this unique time — both globally and in the U.S. This week, Nielsen identified six key consumer behavior patterns that tie directly to coronavirus updates and appear across multiple markets.

Having established a solid foundation for the brand with its core ready-to-drink shake line, ICONIC Protein is preparing to unveil a range of long-gestated innovations this year that highlight a shift towards caffeine-added, zero-sugar products.

If you aren’t answering consumers’ call for plant-based options, you’re going to miss out. That’s the reason Gathered Foods CEO Chris Kerr says seafood distributor and producer Bumble Bee Foods is partnering with his brand in a new joint venture.

Snack brand Core Foods announced this week the close of another $6 million in venture funding from existing investors, bringing the one-year-old brand’s total capital raised to $12.5 million. The funding, president Brett Hartmann told NOSH, will be used to expand marketing efforts.

We’re back for another 90 minute livestream today, March 12th. The second round of 30 food and beverage brands includes Humm Kombucha, HIPPEAS, Malk Organics, Belgian Boys, Harmless Harvest and Wildbrine. Watch their founders and CEOs jump into the livestream and provide a brief recap of recent Expo West news and updates.

Expo West is known as the launch pad for new products, new strategies, new flavors, and new brands. Despite its postponement, NOSH will continue to report on those new items scheduled for release around the show that may soon be entering the industry arena.

According to new research by the PBFA, GFI and SPINS, the plant-based market had a powerful 2019, fueled by alternative meat and milk products. At the same time, an FMI study shows meat consumption is still strong — though often consumed in moderation.

Category enhancement and reinvention often comes into view through product innovations scheduled to be seen at Expo West. Here’s a look at the latest products that companies plan to use to redefine the plant-based category.

In the week since the Natural Products Expo West trade show was postponed, the food industry has seen several other shows cancelled or delayed due to the fast moving virus COVID-19. Yesterday, Expo West producer New Hope and Fancy Foods Show producer The Specialty Food Association (SFA) updated their respective attendees with show updates. Meanwhile, Supply Side East was postponed until the Summer.