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

Nielsen predicts summer food staples, Mark Bittman partners with Peapod and more in this week’s Checkout.

How can the cannabis industry grow in a manner that supports equality of economic opportunity and social justice for individuals and communities disproportionately affected by the war on drugs? At the Cannabis Forum next month we will explore potential answers to that vitally important question with the help of Rashaan Everett, the CEO of Good Tree Holdings LLC, and Willie Mack, Co-founder & President, Think BIG.

When it comes to snacks, consumers want meats, sweets and salt — preferably with a better-for-you label. In a presentation last week at the Sweets and Snacks Expo in Chicago, SPINS and UNFI reviewed trends driving natural and specialty candy and snacks, segments that comprise a 19% share of dollar volume and 42.8% share of dollar gains in the overall snacking industry.

Boulder, Colo.-based premium instant tea maker Cusa Tea has completed a $2.5 million Series A funding round led by Break Trail Ventures and S Cap, the company announced yesterday.

As NOSH Live nears, we still have a couple of exciting surprise speakers up our sleeves: an investor and driving force for innovation within a multi-billion dollar company and a respected industry CEO from the natural supplement space. Daniel Grubbs, Managing Director of PepsiCo Ventures Group and Robert Craven, the Former CEO of MegaFood and Garden of Life will be joining the NOSH Live two-day event, which takes place in just 11 days in New York City.

Will Kornegay is the co-founder and CEO of Glean, a company focused on creating a farm-to-consumer impact and beyond. Glean offers single ingredient vegetable flours and powders that can be used in baking, soups, sauces, smoothies and more. Additionally, they produce protein gummies and a natural pet treat line.

The Cannabis Forum touches down in New York City for the first time this June, celebrating the pervasive integration of the food, beverage and cannabis communities. In collaboration with ForceBrands, The Cannabis Forum for Food and Beverage Kickoff Party will take place on June 13th at the Yotel Hotel Rooftop, 570 10th Ave, New York, NY 10036.

From “Sell By” to “Best Before” to “Best If Used By,” the many ways in which CPG products are date coded are creating consumer confusion over how long food is actually safe to eat.

Boot Camp returns to NOSH Live Summer 2019, offering a half-day educational session for food industry newcomers the day prior to the main event. Early-stage food entrepreneurs and professionals new to the food business will have the opportunity to benefit from the introductory session on the afternoon of Sunday, June 9th.

Digital convenience retailer GoPuff is fusing convenience store merchandise and rapid, mobile device-driven fulfillment, aiming to reach customers in under 30 minutes and provide a little fun along the way.

The founders of popular frozen poultry brand Hip Chick Farms, who sold the company last year, have left the frozen section and entered the booming CBD snack market, recently launching their new brand, A Boring Life, into retail.

In the latest installment of Taste Radio Insider we feature an interview with Suzie Yorke, the founder/CEO of Love Good Fats, a fast-growing maker of keto-friendly snack bars and shakes that is attempting to become the “beacon brand” for healthy fats.

Heading into summer, supermarkets nationwide have added new ice cream options to their shelves, including a new dairy-free line from Jeni’s and fresh flavors from Gelato Fiasco.

With the help of our friends at Forcebrands, we’re hosting the NOSH Live Afterparty at the Hudson Terrace. The party will take place on Monday, June 10th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.