Investment

On the CPG Week podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Brad Avery discuss an unusual new product launch and continued consolidation among packaged food conglomerates. Then, Brad provides his top takeaways from the Hemp Beverage Expo.

Regenerative food company GoodSAM has brought on James Ren, former head of Food Merchandising at Thrive Market, as VP of revenue and growth.

Awake Chocolate has raised CAD $8 million (approximately $5.84 million USD) in funding, including CAD $5 million from Btomorrow Ventures, the corporate venturing arm of British American Tobacco, and CAD $3 million from BDC Capital. The investment brings the brand’s total funding to CAD $15.5 million since its inception in 2012.

Hummus maker Little Sesame has closed a $8.5 million Series A funding round led by InvestEco Capital with participation from Watchfire Ventures, Santatera Capital, Beliade Consumer Partners, and other prominent individual industry investors.

Dessert Holdings has acquired Willamette Valley Pie Company, a premium private label and branded pie producer. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The playbook for growing a startup food and beverage brand has shifted during the past half-decade. During that time, there’s also been a major shift underway at the strategic players once seen as an exit door for those upstarts.

A decade since they tied the knot, the Kraft Heinz union may be headed for splitsville. The packaged food conglomerate, which has been underperforming for years, is mulling a spinoff of a large portion of its grocery business.

Despite a volatile landscape, Q2 2025 saw a 13% year-over-year uptick in total U.S. food and beverage venture funding, reaching $342M.

After selling off its Chef Boyardee, Van De Camp’s and Mrs. Paul’s businesses earlier this year, Conagra Brands may have more divestitures in store. Sean Connolly, chief executive of the Chicago-based food conglomerate, hinted Thursday that certain other brands in its grocery stable may be on the chopping block.

ZEGO has acquired a gluten-free and organic grains processing plant, land and equipment from Montana Gluten Free Processors (MGFP) in addition to launching a new venture known as the Collaborative Integrated Value Chain.