Packaging

They say it’s what’s on the inside that counts, but that’s only half true – at least when it comes to canned food.

The chocolate category is consolidating. Today, branded and private label chocolate manufacturer Chocolate Works announced its acquisition of 150-year-old Thompson Chocolate, which produces specialty and foil-wrapped chocolate novelties.

Now that The Coconut Cult has fully rolled out its refreshed packaging design, CEO Ari Raz talked with Nosh about positioning the plant-based yogurt for future success and how clear messaging is a big part of its growth strategy.

The CPG industry has taken many approaches to reducing packaging waste. Circular models have emerged as an idealistic solution for one simple reason: there’s no waste created.

Big Picture Foods has always had a vision that goes beyond its flagship line of fermented, organic and regeneratively-grown olives, peppers and capers. Now, three years after the company’s launch, that picture is starting to come into view.

The Winslow, Maine-based company, formerly known as the Maine Crisp Company, is now known as Better With Buckwheat following a full company rebrand announced last week. Alongside the new identity, the company is also launching its first new line, crackers as part of a broader strategy shift to build out a buckwheat-based snack platform.

After a recent $2.5 million raise, packaging platform Impacked is bringing the trade show to CPG brands 365 days a year by building the industry’s first one-stop digital marketplace in an effort to fix an antiquated and fractured sourcing model.

In this roundup: KIND is cleared in ‘All-Natural” class action suit, Kashi sued for misleading consumers with pear-filled, strawberry-flavored bars, Kellogg’s served for not putting enough whole grains in crackers and Sabra sued to remove its Kosher mark.

Meat companies are making blended meat and vegetable burgers and sausages catering to the flexitarian lifestyle but the success of the niche category depends a lot on how brands strategize their marketing to health and sustainability-minded consumers.

Plant-based food and beverage maker Laird Superfood introduced a new format to its portfolio with the goal of giving consumers a plastic-free approach to single-serve functional coffee. Today, the company announced the launch of Bright Cups, a proprietary Keurig-compatible pod format made from BPI-certified compostable materials and filled with Laird’s Focus Mushroom Coffee.