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

At the Cannabis Forum, Presented by BevNET and NOSH, industry trailblazers will bring entrepreneurs into the new industry they are creating and explain the intersection of cannabis with food and beverage brands.

This year’s annual National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) trade show featured a variety of protein plays — from zero-sugar jerky to new bean and lentil snacks. In this gallery, we feature some of the newest protein plays spotted on the show floor.

In this video from the 2019 NACS show in Atlanta last week, NOSH Senior Reporter Beth Kaiserman talked with Jaxie Alt, CMO of Stryve Biltong, about educating consumers, innovations in the jerky space and how Stryve’s colorful rebranding can capture protein-hungry consumers.

Eat Nice Foods co-founder Paul Cantagallo aims to take animals out of the food system by creating plant-based replacements for traditional pastas and meals. The mission-driven company has launched with two flavors of vegan ravioli with future plans to enter new categories.

Leading food and beverage fund VMG is moving from investor to operator with the launch of a new corporate entity that will acquire, run, and create snack brands. Velocity Snack Brands (VSB) kicks off today with the acquisition of salty snack brand Popchips; the company will be led by Amit Pandhi, the former CEO of frozen treat brand Arctic Zero.

Hoping to sell your scrappy entrepreneurial brand to one of the food giants? This December at NOSH Live Winter 2019 the leaders of a pair of just-sold brands, One Bar and Perfect Snacks, will talk through the path to their exits alongside the investment banker who brought them there.

Sometimes the sweetest way forward is with a big change. Frozen Greek yogurt brand Yasso announced that it will relocate its headquarters to Boulder, Colorado, led by new CEO Craig Shiesley, a 25-year CPG industry veteran.

Ocean Spray may be almost 90 years old, but the cranberry cooperative is determined to act like a younger startup. Last week the company announced a new model for innovation, known as the Lighthouse Incubator, which will focus on rapid innovation and bring the company into new categories beyond beverage.

As part of a sprawling branding update, PeaTos this week debuted new packaging, a bolder design and new Crunchy Rings as it prepares to expand its distribution in the coming months.

Much has changed since Harbinger Ventures launched with its first fund of $1.8 million in 2016. Over the past three years the firm, which invests in early-stage companies that are led by female or “mixed-gender” founder teams, has seen interest in its investment thesis grow exponentially. Perhaps the best indication of the changing sentiment: this week the firm announced the close of its second fund, worth $21.7 million — roughly 12 times larger than its first fund.

At NOSH Live brand leaders will explore the role and importance of digital brand building with one of the most well-known content creation sites in the world, Tasty. We’ll tap into the company’s digital content strategy, using the Tasty platform as a lens to guide brands on their quest to engage consumers online.

Yogi Tea CEO Giancarlo Marcaccini sees a bright future for mellow moments. Owned by East West Tea Company, Yogi last week announced its acquisition of Choice Organic Teas.

Adam Hamilton is the COO of Nuttin Ordinary, a company crafting cashew cheese with simple and clean ingredients. The proprietary process utilizes steel tanks to ferment and culture the ingredients with a blend of probiotics, while steering clear of oils, gums and added sugar.

With the changing of seasons has come plenty of new products, from quick meal options from Keen One Quinoa and Mike’s Mighty Good, to new condiments from Tessamae’s to several new cannabis and CBD-infused offerings. Check out the gallery to see notable new releases that hit shelves this September, including the latest from Nature’s Earthly Choice, ReGrained and NOSH Live Pitch Slam winner Small Axe Peppers.