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

In the next installment of Sauce in the City, Catherine Smart, founder of Not Just Co, explores what makes a good cofounder, when the crisis goes way beyond business?

The White House has approved the USDA’s long awaited federal rules to guide hemp production. A draft of the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program guidelines was published today on USDA’s website, and once published in the Federal Register on Thursday, public comments will be open for 60 days.

Rachel Drori, the founder/CEO of popular direct-to-consumer food brand Daily Harvest, explained why customer service “is not just about meeting needs, but anticipating them,” why social media is “not just a one-way relationship” and how “data is just part of the story” in understanding consumer needs.

The past few weeks have seen multiple investments in the red hot CBD space from existing CPG investment firms, as well as deal news in other trending categories such as alternative protein and the frozen food aisle.

FDA advises on upcoming labeling changes, Hershey talks protein plays in its Q3 earnings call, Beyond Sausage hits Pizza Hut and more in this week’s Checkout.

The clock is ticking! In less than 12 hours early registration rates for NOSH Live Winter 2019 expire and ticket prices will jump $200. NOSH Live, a two-day event focused on the needs and challenges of natural food companies, returns to Santa Monica, CA on December 4th and 5th.

To feed the rising demand for plant-based foods, tofu pioneer House Foods America Corporation is increasing its production by 50%.

Stacie Skinner is the founder and CEO of Lopaus Point, a frozen waffle company that’s offering the taste of homemade with the convenience of toast-and-serve products. Paying special attention to ingredient choice, the brand crafts gluten-free and allergen-friendly waffles without the use of sugar.

For Italian food brand Rao’s, clean-label isn’t a new concept. After seeing success in sauce, the company is steering toward new categories, expanding its homestyle cooking with a new line of jarred soups and frozen entrees.

How has the adoption of a mostly centralized buying model changed the ability of young brands to grow in Whole Foods Market? During times of change, how is leadership supporting and guiding innovative brands? Dan Epley, the Vice President for Whole Foods Market’s Grocery Team, will join the NOSH Live Winter 2019 speaker lineup to lay out the retailer’s current approach to supporting emerging food brands and helping them grow within the adapted system.

Jeffrey Hollender, co-founder of pioneering natural products brand Seventh Generation, spoke about the company’s ambitious mission and how the company found its footing after years of stagnation. He also discussed the ways in which he supports socially responsible companies and why he urges entrepreneurs to address systemic environmental problems.

Christina Tosi, founder of the whimsical New York City-based bakery Milk Bar, attributes visiting the grocery store as a child as what “ignited her imagination” and encouraged her to pursue a career in food. So she’s going back. The award-winning pastry chef and Master Chef judge will try to inspire the next generation of chefs when she launches a line of brands based on Milk Bar into retail stores next year, helped by an investment from Sonoma Brands and the firm’s CEO and founder Jon Sebastiani.

Plant-based food and beverage brand Forager Project announced this week that it has received a minority investment from Danone Manifesto Ventures. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Kroger simplifies labeling, plant-based brand Lightlife grows distribution and more in this week’s Checkout.