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

While the finalized version of the 2018 Farm Bill, which is expected to receive President Trump’s signature before the close of the current legislative session, represents a watershed moment in the pro-hemp movement, it doesn’t mark the end of the journey.

On Wednesday, the company laid off approximately 40 employees, reportedly 20 percent of the company’s staff. The “proactive” reductions were part of an effort to “support our business objectives in 2019 and beyond,” a spokesperson told NOSH.

Yesterday the United States Consumer Safety Product Safety Commission issued a voluntary recall alert for Lotus Foods Ramen Noodle Soup Cups citing potential fire and burn hazards. In total, 239,000 cups were recalled. “We felt an obligation to make sure we had the best product out in the marketplace,” a spokesperson told NOSH. “We want to make sure people trust Lotus Foods.”

Aloha, a brand of organic, plant-based protein bars and powders, was on the brink of saying goodbye to the market. In an interview, we spoke with Aloha CEO Brad Charron about how he developed and executed a turnaround for the brand after joining the company in 2017, and why addressing issues with company culture was critical to his mission.

Karen Nation, certified sports nutritionist and founder of Creation Nation, developed a protein bar and energy bite mix to give consumers a fresher, healthier and customizable option for snacking. Creation Nation’s bars and bites are easy to make, require no baking, and target food tribes including gluten-free, paleo, vegan, and keto.

The company announced today the close of a $90 million round of funding led by GV (formerly Google Ventures). “What we’re doing at Bowery is not only innovating on the way farming is done, but we’re also innovating around the entirety of the fresh food supply chain,” Bowery co-founder and CEO Irving Fain told NOSH.

In addition to its nationwide launch into the U.S. market, the ketogenic diet-focused company today announced the close of a $5 million round of funding and the launch of a new product line. In total, the two year old company has raised $9.4 million in funding.

Dawes joined Taste Radio for a conversation chronicling her entrepreneurial journey, from childhood to her decision to launch Late July Snacks to its eventual sale. She also explained why staying independent early on and maintaining voting control of her company saved it from potential downfall and told a remarkable story about her first sales call.

Cece’s Veggie Co. announced today an investment in the company by Walter Robb, the former co-CEO of Whole Foods Market. Exact terms of Robb’s investment were not disclosed, but founder Mason Arnold told NOSH it was a “meaningful” amount.

In a new report Nielsen researchers found that not only are millennials shopping differently for fast-moving consumer goods and using technology in new ways to inform those purchasing decisions, but also care more about integrated corporate social responsibility initiatives and health claims.

The new venture, known as Nursery, will serve as an incubator for emerging brands. Founder Adam Melonas told brands he is planning to shift away from a shared kitchen model to one where Nursery will also take an equity stake in the brands using the space.

Fat Snax founder and CEO, Jeff Frese, is on a mission to help end metabolic diseases influenced by lifestyle. Fat Snax produces low carb cookies and teas, targeted at the low-carb ketogenic fitness community. The company is looking for strategic partnerships to help grow its retail footprint.

In this episode, Adam Lowry explores the development of both Method and Ripple and how lessons from the former factored into the foundation for the latter. He also shared his perspective on how the funding environment for CPG brands has changed.

Vietnamese-inspired coffee brand Copper Cow Coffee today announced the close of a $2 million round of funding today. The round was led by Silverton Partners, which contributed half of the capital, with CRCM Ventures, Montage Ventures and Social Starts also taking part.