M&A

The Cream of Wheat and Ortega maker has completed major steps in reshaping its portfolio, including the offloading of its U.S. frozen Green Giant business and the acquisition of the College Inn and Kitchen Basics broth businesses.

This week on the podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Lukas Southard discuss the acquisitions of Brainiac and Van’s, Target’s expansion in hemp drinks, and Beyond’s big bet in beverages.

The nation’s largest egg producer, Cal-Maine Foods, announced today it will acquire certain assets of the Van’s Foods business from Sara Lee Frozen Bakery, LLC, a portfolio company of private equity firm Kohlberg. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

This week on the podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Brad Avery discuss the stateside debut of Gymkhana Fine Foods, a premium Indian sauce brand with fine-dining roots and fresh capital. The duo also details the launch of a functional beverage highlighting colostrum as a key benefit. Additionally, Monica outlines the acquisition of mocktail maker St. Agrestis by The Wine Group, and Brad talks about productivity drink startup Neutonic’s latest funding round.

Bel Group announced today its acquisition of Ingenuity Foods’ cognitive health brands, Brainiac and Little Brainiac, strengthening its position in the better-for-you snacking space.

Flora Food Group, the spreads business spun off from Unilever in 2018, is potentially heading toward a sale.

This week on the podcast, Nosh senior reporters Brad Avery and Lukas Southard discuss the FMI’s online grocery report, fresh funding rounds for frozen dessert brands, why Nestle is offloading Blue Bottle and details behind the new brand from Lemon Perfect’s founder.

The Q1 2026 funding report from Northhall paints a picture of a funding environment that is cooling, but not collapsing. Total investment in food, beverage, and CPG brands reached approximately $340M, marking a 13% decline quarter-over-quarter as deal volume also pulled back.

We caught up with Laird to understand how it has gone from a business in need of a turnaround to a strategic superfood acquisition platform in just four years.

Deana Karim, the founder of direct-to-consumer low-sugar, low-carb and gluten-free baking brand Good Dee’s, has acquired and relaunched West Food Brands (WFB).