Innovation

It’s no secret that the plant-based meat category has faced some strong headwinds of late. But Somerville, Mass.-based startup Tender Food believes it has developed a lower-cost, more animal-like product that it says can disrupt the space and help right the ship for meat alternatives – and it’s brought on former Oatly president Mike Messersmith to lead the charge.

Nosh talked to new snack brand Little Latke about launching a culturally significant food into a recognizable category and how learning is the most important part of the process.

Daily Crunch Sweet & Spicy Sichuan Sprouted Cashews & Edamame is debuting at Whole Foods Market. The snack mix features sprouted cashews and crispy edamame seasoned with Fly By Jing Mala Spice Mix, which has Sichuan chili pepper, coconut sugar, salt, garlic, mushroom powder and spices.

Plant-based food company Chunk Foods has moved into retail with its whole muscle, meat alternatives. The launch is beginning with independent specialty retailers in Los Angeles and New York with plans to expand into bigger chains in 2025.

Founded in 2021, House of Kajaana makes three varieties of frozen Indian meals: Cauliflower Tikka Masala with pea and basmati rice, Roasted Butternut Saag with bright tomato basmati rice, and Coconut Malabar Curry with pumpkin seed basmati rice.

Bioactive protein lactoferrin used in supplements and infant formula is usually derived from cow’s milk but a number of precision fermentation companies are using innovative processes to create a less expensive and more sustainably sourced ingredient.

The frozen smoothie category has evolved since pandemic lockdowns with consumers demanding more convenience and functionality blended together and packaged at a price accessible to mass channel shoppers.

The founding duo behind RXBAR is taking aim at the candy category with a new brand curiously called Hormbles Chormbles. Set to launch early next year, the chocolate products are high in protein (using whey protein isolate) and low in calories and sugar, said Jared Smith, co-founder of the Chicago-based startup.

The CPG Week podcast team talks about Peter Rahal’s newest protein bar release, the co-branded Lunchly product from PRIME and Feastables, and how these two products relate to consumers’ differentiated value demands from ingredients and nutrition.

For years, leaders of the biggest packaged food manufacturers have been studying – and, in some cases, acquiring – emerging brands to gain insights on how to “innovate like a startup” with a focus on speed, agility and disruption. We spoke to industry experts about what Big CPG can teach brands at the entrepreneurial level, from product development strategies to mindset.