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

Natural is thriving, according to the State of the Natural Industry report by data firm SPINS and media company New Hope Network, released last week.

August saw brands release new products designed to combat summer temperatures and get ready for back-to-school, from Coolhaus and French’s limited edition mustard flavored ice cream to easy breakfast options from Mom’s Best Cereal and Abe’s. Check out more of August’s new products below, including new launches from Frozen Garden, Brekki and Smashmallow.

In this episode, we sat down with one of the most influential health and wellness experts in America, Dr. Andrew Weil. As part of our interview, Dr. Weil discussed his views on anecdotal versus clinical evidence, the concept of “food as medicine,” and his growing interest in personalized nutrition, cannabis and psychedelics. He also explained his criteria for endorsing and investing in food and beverage brands.

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.