Investment

Yogurt giant Danone has acquired plant-based brand Earth Island, maker of the Follow Your Heart line of condiments, yogurts and breakfast items, the company announced last night. In a press release issued last night, Danone noted that the acquisition would give the company “a unique opportunity to strengthen its plant-based business.”

Base Culture is ready to accelerate the growth of its business, cleaning up classic favorites. The brand, which produces paleo-certified baked goods, breads and nut butters, announced last month the close of a round of funding led by previous investor Emil Capital Partners (ECP) and that the company would see a shift in executives, with a new CEO heading the company.

Biltong brand Stryve Foods announced plans to go public on the NASDAQ through a business combination with Andina Acquisition Corp III, a publicly-traded special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). The new company is valued at $170 million, and will be listed on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol SNAX. Stryve’s goal, the company said, is to become a snacking platform that can exist across categories.

Legume-based snacking brand Hippeas is shaking things up with a new financial backer, the exit of early investors, and the departure of its CEO. The company announced today that it had raised $50 million from investment firm The Craftory, a move that will make the group the largest shareholder in Hippeas.

High Road ice cream founder Keith Schroeder said his company has acquired the organic ice cream brand’s name and other assets; the brand deal follows a November purchase of the company’s Wisconsin manufacturing plant.

Today snacking and confection powerhouse Mondelēz International announced it was acquiring Hu Master Holdings, the parent company of Hu Products. In 2019 Mondelēz took a minority stake in the company, which included a right of first refusal to acquire the company in an eventual sale. Hu will operate as a separate business, continuing to produce all products at current manufacturing facilities.

For GoodFish, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, things are going swimmingly. The company announced today it had closed $4 million in funding in a round led by Siddhi Capital.

NOSH Live Winter 2020 will feature Retailer Speed Dating on Wednesday, December 16. For this round, brands have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with top retailers. Speed Dating provides a virtual platform for brands to receive feedback and create partnerships to do business.

NOSH Live Winter 2020 will feature Designer Speed Dating on Tuesday, December 15. For this round, brands have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with CPG designers. Speed Dating provides a virtual platform for brands to receive feedback on their packaging and create partnerships to do business.

Hoping to turn a line of cookies and crackers into a larger national brand, Dewey’s Bakery last week closed a $25 million funding round led by Eurazeo Brands and also combined forces with the leadership team of another bakery brand, Farm & Oven.