Snacks

The CPG Week team gives their unadulterated takes on “Unfrosted” before diving into the week’s news related to snack trends, cocoa prices and an update on Foxtrot.

Discussions ranged from between combating rising cocoa prices to capitalizing on seasonal opportunities and injecting global flavors into savory snacks.

Banking on the success of low-dose beverages, the cannabis edibles category is circumventing the regulated market and expanding into hemp-derived THC to reach new consumers in regions where adult-use dispensaries are not accessible.

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

More takeaways from Expo West including more Canadian snack companies looking to expand their footprint in the U.S. and details on Kevin’s Natural Foods moving into the frozen aisle after its 2023 sale to Mars.

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.

Maine Crisp has finally regained its footing as it prepares to go to Expo West and launch nationwide in Whole Foods after a mid-December “100-year” storm and flood wiped out nearly all of the company’s inventory, ingredients and packaging.

RXBAR co-founder Peter Rahal is back in the protein bar business and out as a managing partner at Humble Growth.

Campbell Soup Company released its second-quarter 2024 earnings with net sales at $2.4 billion, a -1% decline from the year-ago period. The company reported sequential volume improvements and margin growth as it prepares to close the acquisition of Sovos Brands next week.

After a challenging couple of years, family-owned Mediterranean foods brand Zesty Z is aiming to start a new chapter for its business with this week’s launch of a line of twice-baked pita chips.