Investment

Venture investment in food and beverage brands is at its highest point in two years, according to the latest Q1 2024 report from research group FABID. But that doesn’t mean the market isn’t still tight, as well.

The Hain Celestial Group has sold cookie brand Thinsters to Icee and Dippin’ Dots owner J&J Snack Foods in an all-cash transaction. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Tolerant Foods, the maker of organic legume-based pasta products, announced Thursday in an Instagram post that it has closed its doors and will begin winding down the brand.

Pancake and waffle mix brand Long Table is using its popcorn flour innovation to educate consumers on the importance of eating regeneratively grown, heirloom whole grains.

Algae Cooking Club launched earlier this year and immediately began to make waves in the industry and online. But, despite the rising popularity of macroalgae – a group that includes seaweed, sea moss, kelp and other ocean-hailing ingredients – in food and beverage products, Algae Cooking Club (ACC) identifies with a completely separate group.

Growth equity firm SEMCAP Food & Nutrition has paid $68 million for a “significant” minority stake in plant-based protein brand ALOHA.

A trade show with over 70,000 attendees ​​naturally creates plenty of buzz, and mid-way through Natural Products Expo West, the U.S. Department of Agriculture gave a handful of companies even more to be excited about.

This latest news roundup from Expo West 2024 highlights the reemergence of Tattooed Chef from Chapter 11, TiNDLE’s U.S. expansion into the beverage category, Dr. Praeger’s pushes crunchy innovation and the K-food craze continues.

Sunnie Snacks is two-thirds the way to closing its first institutional investment round as it builds off its new distribution partnerships and seeks to capture consumers in others parts of the store.

The baby food company will use the growth capital for marketing, new product development and hiring.