Innovation
Featured Innovation Content
Beyond CEO Brown: Protein Drink Pivot Hopes to Flip the Script for Brand
When Beyond Meat announced in January that it had developed its first ever beverage product, a protein drink line called Beyond Immerse, it was a move that appeared to come out of left field.
Harken Sweets Scores Major Kroger Expansion Backed by Selva Ventures
Harken Sweets, armed with new capital from Selva Ventures, is readying a major retail expansion with Kroger, adding roughly 2,000 doors and bringing its total retail footprint to around 7,500 stores.
How Manufacturing Is Fueling Jackson’s ‘Rocket Ship’ Growth
Seed oil-free snack brand Jackson’s is using its manufacturing structure to fuel innovations and new distribution channels.
Additional Content
Food-as-Medicine Startup Raises $3.6 Million To Scale GLP-1 Solution
Lembas, which describes itself as an artificial intelligence-powered peptide discovery company, aims to offer a more accessible alternative to high-priced injectables sold under brand names like Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy with its first solution, GLP-1 Edge.
Reviews: Kencko Snaps Into New Snacking Format; Plus, Pi00a, Forager Project
In this reviews roundup, we chomp into Kencko Fruit Snaps, pi00a frozen pizza and Forager Project’s new plain Greek-style yogurt alternative.
Crave New World Aims To Redefine Comfort Food
Will a Yuka-approved, high-protein, seed oil-free brand find favor with the everyday Kroger shopper? Crave New World is about to find out. The frozen food startup is charting a course into more than a thousand Kroger stores this fall after a successful soft launch in Pop Up Grocer and on college campuses in March.
Reviews: Eclipse Foods Mimics Milk; Plus, Smash Foods, Fancypants Baking
In this reviews roundup, we take a bite out of Smash Foods’ healthier twist on toaster pastries, Fancypants’ crispy cookies, and Eclipse Foods’ non-dairy milk alternative.
CPG Week: David’s Goliath Raise and Big Papi’s Big Bet on Rum
This week, the podcast team discusses big moves by protein bar startup David, plus industry reactions to the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission’s recent report on ultraprocessed foods, fermented foods maker Cleveland Kitchen’s recent capital raise, and a former slugger’s new spirits venture.
MìLà Hits Retail ‘Inflection Point’, Expands In Frozen With Noodles
Frozen Chinese street food brand MìLà is platforming with noodle kits as it shifts its focus from DTC to a retail-first strategy.
Reviews: Talkback Heats Up Cookie Aisle; Plus, Utz, Mooski
In this reviews roundup, we gobble Talkback Snacks’ spicy shortbreads, Utz Lemonade Potato Chips and Mooski chilled oat bars.
‘Rubik’s Cube’ Innovation Addresses Vertical Farming Scalability
Opollo Farm is the first partnership project between food tech startup OnePointOne and robotic warehousing company AutoStore to automate and scale vertical farming.
Reviews: Blobs Go Sour; Plus, Two Spoons, Harken Sweets
In this reviews roundup, we take a bite out of Two Spoons’ no-sugar-added ice cream, Harken Sweets’ Lil’ Ones and Sour Blobs low-calorie candy.
Gopuff Goes Supersized Amidst Fears of Shortages
As consumers and companies become more fearful of looming economic challenges, Gopuff’s solution is to go big. The ecommerce grocery platform announced today a new multipack line of bulk products called GoXL, with over 300 items available for home delivery.