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

At the first-ever Cannabis Forum for Food & Beverage, a panel of four speakers — Adam Miron, co-founder and chief brand officer of HEXO; Hesaam Moallem, president and CEO of Charlotte’s Web; Errol Schweizer, co-founder and partner in mood33; and Evan Eneman, founder of Sands Lane Capital — came together to examine how cannabis is developing into a cooperative industry even at an early stage.

Less than a month after the signing of the 2018 Farm Bill, Canadian cannabis company Canopy Growth Corporation has announced plans to invest up to $150 million to establish its first U.S. production facility in New York state. Earlier this week, Canopy announced that the Empire State had granted it a license to begin processing and producing hemp. In a press release, Canopy said it would invest between $100 million and $150 million to build a U.S. operation in New York’s Southern Tier.

This week two emerging brands — Kalahari Biltong and Ancient Nutrition — announced the appointment of new CEOs. At both companies, the executives will assume the role from founders that previously held the position.

Countertop’s mission is to bring functional ingredients and great flavor to everyday cooking. Jamie Kantrowitz, the co-founder and CEO of Countertop, aims to make it easier for consumers to elevate their meals with her line of seasonings, honeys and butters that are minimally processed and incorporate ingredients like turmeric, ginger, tulsi and moringa

While some ice cream brands are leaning into the plant-based movement, others are exploring creative new flavors like orange fennel, cream puff and turmeric ginger. Take a look through some recent innovations in frozen dessert from Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco.

With consumers constantly on-the-go, it’s no wonder we’re seeing brands venture into single-serve snacks. From hummus to feta cheese packs and nut butter snacks, here are some of the products spotted by the NOSH team at Winter Fancy Food Show.

The publicly traded health-and-wellness corporation announced today the creation of Curation Foods, a corporate umbrella that will hold Landec’s five food brands: Eat Smart, O Olive Oil and Vinegar, Now Planting, and Yucatan and Cabo Fresh.

The NOSH Live Summer 2019 speaker roster now features leaders from the brand, retail and investment legs of the industry. Joining Walter Robb, the former co-CEO of Whole Foods Market, is Gail Becker, the Founder and CEO of CAULIPOWER, and Megan Bent, the Founder and Managing Partner of Harbinger Ventures.

To’ak is pioneering a new way for consumers to experience chocolate. The mission-based brand focused on conservation launched an ultra premium product in 2014, and is now ready to expand its offerings to target a wider range of consumers. Based in Ecuador, To’ak is vertically integrated, controlling the entire process of cacao production and chocolate making, including harvesting, fermentation, roasting, packaging and fulfillment.

In this clip from the BevNET/NOSH Cannabis Forum in Santa Monica, Calif. in December 2018, Sprig CEO Michael Lewis shared lessons and learnings from his career in cannabis. By creating a two lines, the company was able to position its products to work in a variety of use occasions and become integrated into their daily lives.

Caulipower, a brand under the Vegolutionary Foods umbrella, today announced the launch of its newest frozen innovation, the cauliflower tortilla. The vegetable focus has paid off for the brand. In 2018, the company had revenues of over $45 million.

Rhythm Superfoods is hoping a brand redesign and portfolio expansion will bear fruit. Next week at the Fancy Foods Show the produce snacking company will debut a new line of fruit snacks and, later this year, will reveal refreshed branding, according to CEO Scott Jensen.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is enjoying its moment as one of the hottest ingredients in the food and beverage industry. But even as regulations on hemp production have been lifted and more states adopt pro-cannabis stances, consumer education remains a key concern for the nascent CBD market.

Change is difficult. But often it’s needed — even vital — to move your company forward. That’s what Angie Bastian discovered when she decided to rebrand her popcorn line as Angie’s Boomchickapop, despite a loyal following under the name Angie’s Kettle Corn. In this video, recorded at NOSH Live Winter 2018, Bastian shared why she chose to make this decision, even though the company risked losing consumers who knew and loved the old brand.