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Nearly 4,000 U.S. food and beverage retailers – including nearly 3 % of U.S. grocery stores – shut their doors last year, according to a study sponsored by the convenience store industry.

In this week’s Checkout: Daily Harvest fights for farmers with new partnership and campaign, Kroger publishes its predictions for the Top 10 food trends of 2022, Upward Farms to construct “World’s Largest” growing facility in Pennsylvania and Above Food and Umiami partner to develop whole cut plant-based meats.

Meat stick producer Chomps announced on Thursday that it has partnered with Stride Consumer Partners to finance the next phase of its growth.

The network will source fonio, among other “underutilized orphan grains,” from over 30,000 smallholder farms throughout West Africa with the end goal of creating sustainable market demand beyond the brand’s own use of this “miracle grain.”

Over the past five years several new brands have come to the bread aisle (and freezers), looking to capitalize on the keto and low-carb movements. Unbun, Hero Bread, Carbonaut and Better Brands all believe that by creating brand identities and innovation strategies around low-carb breads, bagels and rolls, they can cater to rising consumer interest.

As sugar reduction continues to be a top priority for food and beverage manufacturers, seven low- and zero-sugar brands are banding together to form the Alliance to Control Excessive Sugar (ACES), a new business group dedicated to promoting better-for-you products. The group was conceived by its chairman, Super Coffee CEO Jimmy DeCicco, and includes his… Read more »

Fast delivery service Gopuff announced yesterday the launch of Basically, the retailer’s first private label product line.

In this foodservice distribution roundup: Field Roast expands partnership with Wienerschnitzel, Numi Organic Tea now brewing at WeWork, Dippin’ Dots serves up an IncrEDIBLE Eats Spoon, Blimpie goes plant-based with new gardein menu item, Pokeworks pilots OmniPork Luncheon offering and Planet Smoothie teams up with Vital Proteins.

New Year’s resolutions only last so long, and brands are already testing consumers’ will power with new sweet treats. From breakfast granolas to ice cream for dessert, shoppers will find new launches from Ben & Jerry’s, Jamie’s Farm, Egglife Foods and more this month.

Instacart announced yesterday it would launch a service selling ready-to-make meals. The move is intended to help the platform better compete with food delivery services, which have increasingly diversified to offer grocery delivery.