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

At this year’s Natural Products Expo East trade show in Baltimore, Katie Paul, VP of category management and growth solutions for distributor KeHE, sat down with NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg to discuss how KeHE has evolved its internal team and processes to best meet the changing needs of its retail and supplier partners, and also shared her thoughts on popular trends such as CBD and plant-based eating.

Online grocery service Good Eggs strives to connect conscious consumers to quality, locally sourced produce, mission-driven food brands and healthy meal kits. Through same-day delivery and a curated list of produce and products, the tech platform is pioneering a new way for consumers to feed their families. This December we’ll have the pleasure of hosting Good Eggs CEO Bentley Hall on the NOSH Live Winter 2019 stage.

Influential natural foods entrepreneur and investor Steve Hughes reflected upon his roles as the founder of Boulder Brands and co-founder of investment firm Sunrise Strategic Partners. As part of our conversation, he explained why he believes the funding environment for natural CPG brands is “capitalism at its absolute best,” and what he sees as the most exciting development for the industry.

At Expo East, several brands unveiled new packaging featuring brighter colors, added nutritional callouts, new logos and slogans, and revamped flavor names.

One of the veteran nice guys of the natural products business, Josh Kohnstamm, has sold his eponymous public relations firm to another Minneapolis-area marketing agency, broadhead.

Last year’s Expo East demonstrated growth in the keto space, and we continue to see that proliferating through this year’s Expo East 2019 show. While some brands like Once Again, Kiss My Keto and Know Brainer are showcasing new products, others like Toronto-based Unbun are aiming to enter the U.S. market.

Today cereal brand Magic Spoon announced that, five months after launch, it has closed a $5.5 million round of funding to help propel its growth. The $10 a box cereal is sold direct-to-consumer and targets the carbohydrate-avoiding consumer, often associated with the Keto or Paleo diets.

Vital Proteins is ready to go beyond beauty. The collagen-focused company announced today the launch of a line of bars, sports drinks and a liquid creamers, moves CEO and founder Kurt Seidensticker told NOSH are designed to help the brand target a wider array of shoppers and expand beyond its core wellness enthusiast.

Keith Belling is a serial food entrepreneur, focused on taking household staples and elevating them via flavor and functionality. In 2007 he shook up the chip aisle as co-founder and CEO of Popchips, which quickly became a multimillion dollar brand and inspired a new category of salty snacks. Following Popchip’s success, Belling embarked on a new food venture, and at NOSH Live Winter 2019 this December he will share his views on food innovation, business strategy and entrepreneurship.

Hudson River Foods is winding its way upstream. With two recent acquisitions, Hodgson Mills and Dancing Deer, the company is solidifying a hearty footprint in the better-for-you baking category.

Low-sugar, high-protein frozen phenomenon that briefly captured an outsize share of the frozen dairy aisle, Halo Top manufacturer Eden Creamery has been sold to Ice Cream manufacturer Wells Enterprises, Inc. As part of the deal Halo Top President and COO Doug Bouton will license the Halo Top brand outside of the United States and Canada as part of a new company he plans to operate after the deal closes.

The plant-based protein category shows no signs of slowing down, with more innovation and investment coming daily — and even making its way to baby food. In this week’s Checkout, two major CPG brands announced plant-based meat innovations, while another will dip its toes into plant-based seafood. And baby food maker Yumi is pairing with vegan fast-casual brand ByChloe to appeal to little palates.

Evan Holod, the CEO of Michel et Augustin US, the American arm of the popular French snack maker, explained how the company reimagined its brand positioning and product packaging for American audiences.

Former dairy founder Tom Moffitt is following the herd toward plants — opening nondairy food processor Culture Fresh Foods in a facility formerly owned by Danone. The company announced the close of a $11 million round of funding yesterday.