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

Yesterday at NOSH Live Summer 2018, frozen baked good company Soozy’s announced it had closed a $2.5 million dollar round of funding.

Why third-wave coffee pioneer and Blue Bottle founder James Freeman isn’t concerned with being ahead of the curve; how Jesse Merrill is changing the way people think about cottage cheese with innovative brand Good Culture; rising up with Mountain Mel’s, a maker of medicinal herbal teas, in this week’s Elevator Talk

Five snack makers fought for the title, including popped lily seed maker Bohana, natural ice cream line Grateful Sons, better-for-you brittle Sarah’s Snacks, and protein ball brand Simply Fuel.

Throughout the day, the main question presenters tried to answer was: What are the tools needed to take a brand to the next level?

The food industry is evolving and so is NOSH Live, as many participants discovered during Day One of the business development conference.

For those that couldn’t make the trip to NOSH Live Summer 2018 in New York City, we still want you to join the conversation. We have made the main stage presentations available to view via a free live stream, which runs through 5 p.m. ET today and returns tomorrow, June 5, from 9 a.m. ET to 3 p.m. ET.

Today, private equity investor Alliance Consumers Growth (ACG), announced an investment in greek yogurt snacking brand Clio. Sold in over 2,000 doors, Clio produces a chocolate dipped greek yogurt bar.

From Chobani’s new food tech residency program to new playbooks at major retailers, here’s what you need to know in natural food news this week.

Encore Consumer Capital has made an undisclosed investment in the premium bacon and pork product maker.

Over the past year meat producer Tyson has worked to diversify its portfolio into new categories, as well as tackle global issues of sustainability. Today the company announced the debut of ¡YAPPAH!, a line of “protein crisps” made from upcycled chicken breasts, juice byproducts and spent grain from Molson Coors.

In five days, five emerging packaged food brands will take over the NOSH Live spotlight in our biannual NOSH Live Pitch Slam contest, presented by 301 INC., General Mills’ emerging brand elevator. Up-and-coming startup food brands will serve their best pitch on the NOSH Live main stage, vying for attention, recognition, and a valuable Grand Prize.

SnackNation said it will use the new funds to expand into new distribution channels such as hospitality and transportation and scale its direct-to-consumer business.

In a presentation last week at the Sweets and Snacks Expo in Chicago, Emily Mescher, managing director of Harris Insights, emphasized the need for manufacturers and retailers to build brand equity by innovating around evolving consumer needs and emerging shopping channels in response to shifts in brand loyalty.

NOSH Live is just a few days away, and we have an exclusive soirée planned for our guests! Project NOSH + ForceBrands collaborate to bring conference attendees an evening of networking and fun. Expect exceptional New York City skyline views, craft cocktails, appetizers, good company and a place to unwind after an energetic NOSH Live, Day 1.