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Today we welcome a familiar face to our full-time staff. Melissa Traverse, a former BevNET colleague who rejoined the team as the Director of Community to take the lead on engagement with our growing community.

A new generation of AAPI owned and operated startup brands have launched online and in-store recently, sporting premium and better-for-you versions of products that look to reclaim the heritage of and rebuke stereotypes about Asian cultures and Asian foods. With vibrant, modern branding and messaging and an emphasis on authentic flavor, brands have emerged to sell new takes on classics.

Acknowledging issues within its existing system, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is seeking to reimagine its food program through an agency-wide restructuring, per a letter published by Commissioner Robert Califf earlier today.

After announcing the launch of a new investment fund in May 2022, Washington, D.C.-based Union Kitchen has laid off its sales and marketing team as part of a corporate reorganization.

Kansas City, Missouri-based digital health and ecommerce platform Free From Market announced last week it has closed a $2.1 million seed funding round to expand its reach within healthcare, specifically the managed care channel. Looking to extend patient care beyond clinic walls, FFM takes a ‘food is medicine’ approach.

In this distribution roundup: Mighty Yum brings its plant-based lunch packs to Hungryroot and c-stores; Laoban launches frozen dumplings at Whole Foods nationwide; Yasso expands into the drug channel with CVS; and more.

Unilever has appointed former H.J. Heinz executive Hein Schumacher to lead the CPG company effective July 1 reaffirming the multinational company’s commitment to its food brands.

Ultimately the holding company plans to have four entities in the company’s portfolio, two of which are already accounted for: egg white-based chip company Quevos and supplement and energy drink brand ProSupps.

In this week’s roundup: FDA Food Policy and Response Commissioner Frank Yiannas resigns; Flashfood expands to new Stop & Shop locations; Bipartisan SHIP IT Act is introduced to Congress; Meati opens the Mega Ranch; and Tyson CFO pleads guilty.

In this week’s new products roundup, Belgian Boys brings a viral TikTok trend to retail shelves, Lesser Evil unveils outer space-themed snacks and Goodles declares, “Here Comes Truffle.”