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

Taste Radio Ep. 75 features an interview with Aaron Anker and Nat Peirce, who are the co-founders of organic granola maker Grandy Oats. We also explore the growing market for plant-based meat in the latest edition of Why is This a Thing? And we chat with Cindy Kasindorf, the co-Founder of Remedy Organics in this week’s Elevator Talk. This episode is presented by Virun.

This week gluten-free, paleo baked good brand Mikey’s announced a $5 million investment from Factory LLC, an investment group that the brand’s founder, Mike Tierney, met in March while at Expo West.

From spiced dry fruit to frozen protein waffles, here are six new products that are making their debut at Natural Products Expo East in Baltimore, Maryland, this week.

Hampton Creek CEO Joshua Tetrick spoke with NOSH about recent changes, including what he hopes his two newly named board members will bring to the table, why he’s looking beyond plants to meat and how licensing will play a role in the company’s future.

The third installment of the Project NOSH Pitch Slam, sponsored by ADM, will take place on the NOSH Live Winter 2017 stage in Santa Monica, CA on November 30th. Pitch Slam provides a platform for emerging entrepreneurial natural food brands to present their innovative products and business plans to a panel of respected judges from the natural food business.

According to a report compiled by food and beverage packaging leader Tetra Pak, more than half of all in-store purchases today are influenced by digital channels, many of which are being accessed via smartphones. Because of this, many food and beverage brands are looking to social media and key influencers to reach consumers where they are: online.

The baby food world is about to experience a huge growth spurt. Today former Annie’s Homegrown CEO John Foraker and actress Jennifer Garner announced they are joining baby food brand Once Upon a Farm as co-founders and investors. Foraker will also assume the role of CEO and Garner will act as Chief Brand Officer.

In this week’s episode of Taste Radio, presented by Virun, Matt Thomas, the founder and CEO of Townshend’s Tea Company and Brew Dr. Kombucha, explains how the company uses formulation and flavor to differentiate itself from competitors.

In recent studies, research firm Nielsen looked at lunchtime and snacking trends to find what shoppers are purchasing for their family’s lunchboxes and why. Nielsen found that along with healthier options, products with natural and organic claims are posting double digit growth.

Impossible Foods today announced that it has officially begun production of its plant-based patties in its new 68,000 square-foot Oakland, California-based facility. The company said the plant, which was announced earlier this year, will give the brand the ability to scale and eventually expand into retail.

From an online snack box market’s move into physical stores, to a GMO-free cookie brand launching in club, here’s the latest in packaged food distribution news.

Masienda Bodega launches this month in 200 stores including several Whole Foods Market regions as well as in independent retailers. The growth is being fueled by a recently closed $1.35 million round of capital from a star-studded team of investors including James Beard Award winning chef (and CPG entrepreneur himself) Rick Bayless, Rick Schnieders, former Sysco CEO, and Village Capital.

This week’s episode of Taste Radio features an in-depth interview with veteran CPG executive Joth Ricci who discusses when to say “no,” premiumization of categories, and why Portland has emerged as an CPG incubation hub.

Hot off of a $25 million investment from Smithfield Foods, this week meal kit marketplace Chef’d announced a partnership with West Coast retailer Gelson’s to bring 12 of the company’s ready to cook meals into stores.