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

Less than a year after its founding, vegan butter maker Fora announced today the close of a $1.4 million round of capital. New Crop Capital and Blue Horizon led the round, which closed earlier this month.

Less than a week after Chef’d ceased operations, True Food Innovations announced today its acquisition of the meal kit company’s assets. In an interview with NOSH, the CEO of True Food detailed the reasons for the deal and how the company plans to revive the Chef’d brand and business.

From a food entrepreneur’s newest journey, to the addition of a confectionary veteran at a leading trail mix brand, here’s your latest in food industry hiring news.

Acclaimed chef and entrepreneur Rick Bayless discusses why authenticity has been the guiding principle throughout his career and is an indispensable asset in the food business. Susie Fogelson, who for 15 years guided marketing efforts for the Food Network explains why transparency is an opportunity for brands to tell a story. Meet Jamie Meltzer, the founder of upscale fruit jerky brand Watermelon Road, who was victorious in NOSH Live’s Pitch Slam 4.

The female-focused nutrition company rolled out new products, an evolved packaging design, a refined retail strategy and a new pricing structure in an attempt to target a new consumer base: millennial moms.

Private equity firm Alliance Consumer Growth announced this week the close of its fourth fund. In an interview with NOSH, Managing Partner Josh Goldin discussed how the industry has changed since the firm’s first fund and what types of investments the firm looks for.

The news this week was filled with brands, retailers and government agencies modernizing practices and offerings to better meet adapting consumer desires and future innovation. From a major frozen meal brand launching a line of veggie-forward food, to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) new stance on the standard of identity for dairy alternative products, here are some of the top stories you need to know.

The secret is out: Chocolate company Little Secrets announced today that it has closed a round of capital from Sunrise Strategic. With this new funding, the Colorado-based brand has already begun to grow its team with the addition of former Nestlé confection veteran, Jeremy Vandervoet, as president and COO effective this week.

In the latest example of how meal kit companies are struggling to make the business model work, meal-kit brand Chef’d announced in an email on Monday to its over 400 employees that it is suspending operations. The company was reportedly in the process of raising a $100 million round of funding and had seen increased sales growth.

From a Brooklyn-based chocolate brand’s abstract and artful new packaging to a complete rebrand for the maker of a crispy cereal treat, here are some of the new looks the NOSH team saw from the floor.

Banza co-founder/CEO Brian Rudolph on why mentors and cold calling were key to his fast-growing brand. Measuring the impact of influencers and unconventional marketing strategy with MatchaBar co-founder/CEO Graham Fortgang. Meet the founders of Simply Soupreme, Jackie Greene & Taylor Rossi, who were victorious in BevNET Live’s New Beverage Showdown 15.

Anita Shepherd, founder of Brooklyn-based vegan yogurt brand Anita’s Coconut Yogurt, spoke with the NOSH team about her decision to go back to the basics after a year of growing pains.

Brands big and small, as well as investors, this week tried to find new ways to stand out from the competition and connect with a new demographic of consumers.

Over 23,000 CPG manufacturers, marketers and formulators will gather next week at McCormick Place in Chicago for IFT18, the annual show for the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT).