Top Feature
Better Breakfast: Love Grown Rebrands, Refines Mission
Gluten-free breakfast brand Love Grown wants to wake up the tired cereal aisle. The brand, which first launched its better-for-you take on the breakfast staple in 2008, sees a bright future fueled by beans and other novel, nutritionally-dense bases and is launching new packaging — a key move as it prepares to expand into Walmart early next year.
Chobani Announces Move into Oat Beverage, Yogurt Set
With eyes on expanding beyond the yogurt set, Chobani announced yesterday the launch of a range of new both dairy and plant-based products, including its entry into the fast-growing oat “milk” category.
Gallery: Fall Flavors and Holiday Releases
The holiday season is here and retailers are stocking their shelves with festive limited edition flavor offerings from classic pumpkin spice to peppermint to gingerbread. With the proven popularity of seasonal plays, brands are testing new flavors and entering new retailers with limited edition sweets, snacks, stocking stuffers and convenient Thanksgiving feasts on-the-go.
The Checkout: Albertsons Moves Plated to Private Label, Honest Tea Co-Founder to Focus on Beyond Meat
Albertsons moves Plated to private label, Honest Tea co-founder to focus on Beyond Meat, Mondelez studies snacking and more in this week’s Checkout.
IRI: Consumers Find Value in Private Label Brands
Faced with an ever-increasing selection of products on the shelves, more consumers are turning to private label brands for price-conscious options that don’t compromise on value, according to a new report by market research firm IRI. The Consumer Connect report, “Beyond Price, Consumers Find Value in Private Brands” examined the growing influence of private label brands and consumers’ shifting attitudes toward them.
More Brainpower: IQBAR Expands Distribution
IQ Bar is allocating some of its brainpower to the retail shelf. Though the Boston-based brand has so far garnered half its business from e-commerce, it recently entered 1,000 Kroger stores, increasing its retail footprint to about 6,000 doors.
Dairy Giant Dean Foods Files for Bankruptcy
Texas-based Dean Foods, the largest milk processor in the U.S., has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The dairy producer announced yesterday it will use the process to “protect and support” ongoing business operations and address debt and pension obligations.
Banza Raises $20M to Focus on Food Service & Brand
Pasta brand Banza announced today the close of a $20 million round of funding co-led by Enlightened Hospitality Investments (the growth equity fund associated with restaurateur Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group) and fund Prelude Growth Partners. When Banza launched in 2014, the concept of bean-based pasta alternatives was new and fairly untapped. Now, with plenty of companies also selling these offerings, Banza feels its time to focus on their brand and enter new channels.
Crunch and Go: Small Pickles and Packs Aim for Snacking Set
Pickle producers want people to peek past picnics, parties and paper plates. To freshen up the pickle set and appeal to busy consumers, companies are creating snack-size pickles in convenient packs, expanding usage occasions for the savory, low-calorie snack.
Butterfly Picks Up Orgain to Compliment Bolthouse
Los Angeles-based private equity firm Butterfly today announced its acquisition of a majority stake in “clean” protein brand Orgain. The deal is Butterfly’s fifth investment and second in beverage, following the purchase of fresh juice focused Bolthouse Farms earlier this year.



