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

Perfect Fuel, a functional chocolate brand, quietly announced this week that it had closed an initial seed round of funding. This most recent round will be used to launch their products more widely, as well as test out new line extensions.

Whole Foods Market announced several key items that will impact producers of products sold in their eponymous stores as well as its new retail chain of 365 by Whole Foods Market locations.

Chickpea pasta producer Banza announced this week that the company had completed its first seed round of a $1.3 million dollar raise from institutional and angel investors. Project NOSH spoke with co-founder Brian Rudolph to find out what the funds will be used for and details of the raise.

Faced with the “normalization” of superfoods such as chia and hemp, innovative producers are turning to new exotic parts of the globe for functional ingredients. Moringa is fast becoming a top option, found in several products that are new or about to come to market.

Three well-known investors and entrepreneurs are coming together for a proposed $100 million fund while one of the leaders of another high-profile fund is leaving its parent company.

Project NOSH is excited to announce that all Project NOSH L.A attendees are invited to an exclusive afterparty powered by BevForce | FoodForce, Snack Nation & Alliance Consumer Growth.

Guest author Scott Sanders looks at the condiment wars happening in retailers nationwide and the role small, entrepreneurial brands are playing.

A look at recent news stories covering packaged food products including: What Back to the Future got right and wrong, how Kale wants to take over Hollywood and leadership at top CPG and food related companies

After a day filled with networking and learning as well as strategic presentations by acclaimed food luminaries from companies including Kroger, B&G Foods, VMG and Health Warrior, Project NOSH LA attendees will certainly feel energized and excited for the future. Bringing all the day’s lessons together will be one dynamic speaker, Sarah Chapin, the CEO of Hail Merry.

General Mills’ 301 INC incubator pivoted loudly yesterday, announcing that it would begin focusing primarily on investing in early-stage food startups to help them grow. Project NOSH spoke with John Haugen, VP and General Manager, about what food and beverage entrepreneurs can expect to see from 301 and why the unit shifted strategies.

A look at recent food and beverage sports endorsement deals which reflect a greater expansion of the parameters of the “big four” sports leagues’ approach to marketing for the industry.

At Project NOSH L.A. afternoon sessions will include a panel with deep experience in the process of partnering with and acquiring entrepreneurial brands. The “From Brand Incubator to Brand Acquirer” unit will bring together representatives from 301 INC/General Mills and B & G Foods as well as veteran entrepreneur Paul Nardone.

At this year’s NACS Expo, sellers of all kinds pointed out their healthy, organic, and sustainable bona fides. This video survey shows some of the brands and trends influencing convenience store retailing, and looks to John Mackey, the co-CEO of Whole Foods for an indication of where the future of the channel might lie.

It’s the entrepreneurial food brand that has turned into the firmament of its category, but Chobani, now a staple of many a shopping list, might even be targeted for purchase by strategic investors, as well.