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

Boulder Food Group, a venture capital firm that recently launched a $100 million fund, is looking to invest in early-stage and innovative food and beverage brands. So how do you get their attention?

Despite the already wide array of choices in the set, the bar category continues to see new entrants thanks to growing sales. To learn more about some of the bar launches, redesigns and new flavors seen on the Expo West show floor, view the gallery below.

Last year CPG giant Mondelēz tasked its innovation and venture arm SnackFutures with the goal of generating $100 million dollars in growth by 2022. At Expo West 2019 NOSH Editor Carol Ortenberg sat down with SnackFutures’ head of innovation Brigette Wolf to discuss the group’s mandate and how it hopes to achieve that goal.

Michael Pan is the founder of Panco Foods, the maker of Pan’s Mushroom Jerky. The plant-based snack is based on a family recipe from Malaysia that utilizes umami shiitake mushrooms to create a meat alternative.

Last fall cookie manufacturer Lenny and Larry agreed to settle a suit that alleged it’s protein-enhanced cookies only had 4 to 9 grams of protein, versus the 16 grams of protein stated on the nutrition facts panel. Although the settlement had moved forward, with a fairness hearing scheduled for this month, last month the U.S. Department of Justice’ Consumer Protection Branch urged the courts to reject the reject the settlement deal.

It can take a little ingenuity to get consumers to buy a new product. Over the past decade, that’s the (sometimes hard) lesson Jonathan Wolfson and Mark Brooks, have learned. Last week the duo launched their new brain health-focused company, Ingenuity Brands, and its first product line, Brainiac Kids.

Justin’s founder Justin Gold spoke about his decision to stay with the brand following its $286 million acquisition by Hormel Foods. Along with a discussion on how a new take on a familiar snack and a key hire were game-changers for the brand, Gold also explained his belief that making a lot of money and having a mission to change the world are not mutually exclusive.

Since its launch in 2016, Sonoma Brands’ Zupa Noma has refined its packaging, sales strategy and messaging. Now they’re trying for a new name and product approach, rebranding as Medlie and launching a line of vegetable “mashes” which are vegetable blends that can be eaten as a snack or used as a spread or dip.

Plant-based meat alternatives have remained a strong trend in 2019 as brands continue to innovate with products ranging from meatless chicken nuggets and coconut bacon to fish-free seafood and deli slices. Take a look at some of the new products featured at Expo West.

From cashews to almonds to pili nuts, brands are going nuts for nut-based snacks. While several brands are integrating nuts into sweet snacks like brittle and spreads, others are going savory to create plant-based cheese alternatives. Take a look at some of the latest nut innovations showcased at Natural Products Expo West 2019 in Anaheim, California.

Ashley Albert is the co-founder of The Matzo Project, a company that’s bringing artisanship and personality to a traditional Jewish food. Through humorous branding and fun flavors, the company is reaching beyond the Jewish consumer base and tapping into a wider audience.

Beverage veteran Lance Collins is ready to disrupt the cooler yet again — this time from a different angle, the fresh nutrition bar set. The founder of beverage brands BodyArmor, Fuze and CORE Nutrition announced today the launch of his newest CPG venture, Core Foods, which will launch its first product, Core Bar, at Natural Products Expo West.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Scott Gottlieb resigned today, effective next month. According to The Washington Post, the move was unexpected. Gottlieb was reportedly well-liked in the government, but told officials he wanted to spend more time with his family.

If you’ve got a big megaphone, why not use it to inspire change? That’s what John Foraker and Jennifer Garner — co-founders of baby and toddler food brand Once Upon a Farm — plan to do. The company announced today a new line of Once Upon a Farm (OUAF) baby food purees that meet the guidelines for the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).