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

By literally turning the problem on its head, One Trick Pony founder Lucy Dana thinks she’s solved the oil crisis. No, not that one.

Private equity firm HC Private Investments has formed a new baked goods and snack manufacturing outfit, known as Artisan Bakery, via the acquisitions of Snackwerks and Specialty Bakers.

Starbucks is the latest to take down a red dye pill, with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sharing details from a meeting with the coffee giant’s CEO where he “shared the company’s plans to further MAHA its menu.”

Consumers in the food and beverage industry seek innovation even in times of economic uncertainty, a sentiment validated by Circana’s 2024 New Product Pacesetters report. We’re breaking down the report’s key findings, including what has shaped the CPG landscape.

This week, the podcast team digs into the disruption caused by a cyberattack on wholesaler UNFI’s information technology systems last week. Next, the hosts discuss Taste Tomorrow Ventures’ first food investment and why sour candy is whetting investor appetites lately. Finally, the podcasters highlight a soccer star’s foray into the consumer packaged goods field and a beverage brand’s latest partnerships.

In this reviews roundup, we take a bite out of Purely Elizabeth’s high-protein oatmeal, Khloe Kardashian’s Khloud Protein Popcorn, and CVT Soft Serve.

From pouches to sprays to pastes, on-the-go caffeine consumers searching for portable alternatives to coffee or energy drinks have new formats to choose from.

Kristen Bell’s snack brand, f.k.a. This Saves Lives, is now All In Foods. The company emerged with its new moniker this month alongside announcing a fresh, $4 million cash infusion.

Ayoh, the modern mayo brand created by cookbook author and food writer Molly Baz, announced today the closing of a $4.5 million funding round led by Imaginary Ventures.

Mealogic, a white-label meal delivery platform, has secured $16 million in a funding round led by S2G Investments, with participation from Dohmen Company Foundation, U.S. Venture Partners and Unilever Ventures.

There is a growing push to hold the food industry to higher traceability and transparency standards. One startup believes it can push the industry forward while creating a “virtuous cycle” between transparency to increased revenue.

Kraft Heinz is kicking red dye and others to the curb as it aligns itself with key objectives of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement.

Brain health brand MOSH introduced its vegan protein bar collection today, seeking to capture consumers who were previously excluded from the cognitive nutrition space due to dietary restrictions.

Taste Tomorrow Ventures, the early-stage investment fund established by beverage incubator L.A. Libations, has taken a minority equity stake in better-for-you candy brand Better Sour. Financial terms were not disclosed; however, Better Sour’s founders confirmed the startup is raising a seven-figure round to support new product launches and expanded distribution.