Investment

As Believer Meats abruptly shuts down just one month after completing its production facility, the cell-cultured meat category faces an uncertain path forward.

During a panel discussion at Nosh Live earlier this month, Hailey Swartz of Actual Veggies, Laurel Orley of Daily Crunch, and Eugene Kang of Archer explored how breakout brands identify inflection points, take calculated risks and scale with purpose.

This week on the podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Brad Avery discuss San Francisco’s lawsuit over ultraprocessed foods, Anheuser-Busch’s $490 million acquisition of BeatBox, Stockeld Dreamery’s sale to Bettani Farms, and Ripple Foods’ $17 million funding round.

Campbell’s is doubling down on its bet on Rao’s, announcing during its first-quarter earnings call today it will acquire a 49% stake in the brand’s long-term producer, La Regina, for $286 million.

Righteous Felon Craft Jerky secured an investment from GroundForce Capital, a founder-led investment firm that has previously backed Liquid Death, OWYN and Vive Organic. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Unilever is nearing the official spinoff of its ice cream business, The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC), which listed on Amsterdam’s Euronext market Monday at a valuation below analyst expectations.

Stockeld Dreamery has offloaded a portion of its assets to plant-based food tech entity Bettani Farms, formerly known as Climax Foods.

Horizon Family Brands has acquired organic, grass-fed dairy company Maple Hill Creamery, strengthening the company’s retail presence, which already includes a selection products under the Horizon Organics and Wallaby Organics brands.

This week on the podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Brad Avery discuss the bidding war drama surrounding the recently liquidated plant-based cheese brand Miyoko’s Creamery. The podcasters also chat about cold-press juice maker Suja Life’s plans for a public market exit and Once Upon A Farm’s delayed public offering. Finally, the hosts look at a merger in the mocktail segment.

Ritter Sport Group is expanding its presence in the U.S. market with the acquisition of Creative Natural Products, the Boulder, Colo.-based manufacturer of the Chocolove premium chocolate brand. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.