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Are plant-based cheese alternatives having an existential crisis after one of the biggest cheesemakers refocused its approach to the category?

Creator-backed candy company Joyride (formerly Project 7) has raised a $30 million round, per a Form D filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Wednesday.

Grillo’s Pickles announced plans to build a $54 million manufacturing plant in Bartholomew County, Ind. The 155,000 sq. ft. facility will employ up to 150 workers and is adjacent to a $175 million King’s Hawaiian bakery operation.

In this week’s new products roundup, Purely Elizabeth jumps on the protein craze, Alec’s Ice Cream whips up a collaboration with Graza, and Brass Roots launches an allergen-free alternative to peanut butter.

French dairy conglomerate Bel Group has decided to shut down its plant-based cheese brand Nurishh after four years on the market. The business will close by the end of the year, with Bel citing challenges to make it a profitable and sustainable part of the portfolio.

This week, the podcast team discusses the merger of two legacy cheesemakers and the exit of a major beverage alcohol distributor from a key spirits market. Next, the hosts dig into the debut of digitally-native supplement brand AG1 in physical retail and explore why the news of an energy drink startup’s new investor brings fresh opportunities for its growth goals.

There’s a new-ish manufacturer in town. After Flavor Reddy Foods grew its food manufacturing footprint via M&A in the past two years, the company is bringing the combined businesses together under one new entity, Trillium Foods.

Dr. Bronner’s has transferred ownership of its 10-SKU chocolate bar line to Magic Chocolate Inc., a new entity formed by the brand’s long-term partners to help scale the line independent of Dr. Bronner’s business.

Bean-based snack slinger Remix Snacks is entering a new chapter of growth, announcing yesterday its acquisition by AM Ingredients (2021), its co-packer of four years. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Most Americans are concerned about the economy and recent sentiments from surveys and CEOs signal the same thing: consumers are cooking more at home. But this increase doesn’t necessarily mean CPG sales are about to surge.