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

KFC’s plant-based chicken sells out, Friends of the Earth fights Impossible Foods and more in this week’s Checkout.

In this video recorded during NOSH Live Summer 2019, Sarah Alderson, Walmart’s divisional merchandise manager of chilled packaged goods, and Laura Rush, divisional manager for frozen foods, describe how Walmart seeks out and supports emerging brands.

Convenience stores are positioned to be a top retail channel for CBD products, according to a new survey of c-store retailers by Wells Fargo Securities.

As part of its shift from confection to a broader snacking platform, Hershey announced yesterday its acquisition of the low-sugar, high-protein ONE Brands portfolio. The purchase price, which was financed with cash on hand as well as short term borrowings, was $397 million.

Greek yogurt market leader Chobani announced today the promotion of CMO Peter McGuinness to president, effective today. McGuinness will report to founder and CEO Hamdi Ulukaya.

Specialty food company Stonewall Kitchen this morning announced an agreement to purchase the Vermont Village brand, a producer of organic applesauce and raw apple cider vinegars, from parent company Village Cannery of Vermont. Terms of the deal, which is expected to close in September, were not disclosed.

In the latest distribution news, Mesa de Vida launches in Whole Foods nationwide and Cali’flour enters Walmart and expands in Kroger.

Target’s new private food label, Whole30 virtual restaurant launches and more in this week’s Checkout.

Bobo’s founder Beryl Stafford and company CEO T.J. McIntyre spoke about their work dynamic, how they assigned responsibilities and guidelines for their respective roles, and why “the one thing that really serves as the foundational element of who we are is the actual bar.”

The Simply Good Foods Company, a producer of nutritional foods and snacking products, announced yesterday it will acquire protein-centered brand Quest Nutrition for $1 billion in cash.

Former Shark Tank winner Pipsnacks is growing its family of heirloom corn snacks, launching new cheese balls and corn chip dippers into retail this month. The Brooklyn-born company is also rebranding its image, pivoting away from its artisanal roots as it seeks to expand.

CBD-infused drink mix maker OLEO, Inc. announced today it has raised $1.5 million in a convertible note round, which will help the Seattle-based brand scale distribution for its line of products.

Smashmallow is ready to move beyond its marshmallow roots. The snack brand announced today the close of a minority round of funding by CPG venture firm, Alliance Consumer Growth (ACG), in part, to support the launch of a line of low-sugar gummies. It’s a move that Sebastiani said will allow the brand to begin to build a larger platform.

Teddie Natural Peanut Butter president/CEO Mark Hintlian explained why the company’s obsessive commitment to quality and dedication to its employees have been bedrocks of its success. He also spoke about how Teddie communicates the nutritional benefits of its products.