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Michigan-based food and beverage consulting group JPG Resources is growing its capabilities — and eyeing New York City’s entrepreneurial scene to help do that. After opening a new office last month, the company has an array of new offerings slated to launch this spring — fueled by seasoned food industry experts joining the team.

Kellogg and Tyson prep for plant-based launches; Yofix raises $2.5 million and more in this week’s Checkout.

At the Winter Fancy Food Show, Aylon Steinhart, co-founder of plant-based dairy brand Eclipse, discussed the company’s path to market, having launched its soft serve ice cream bases and packed ice cream drums into San Francisco and New York restaurants and scoop shops in 2019.

Mondelēz International announced last week the appointment of Nancy Pak as CEO of premium cookie brand Tate’s Bake Shop. Pak succeeds former CEO Maura Mottolese, who is now CEO of hot sauce brand Cholula Food Company.

In a presentation at NOSH Live Winter 2019, Talia Halperin, head of brand management at BuzzFeed, explained how an online experiment became BuzzFeed’s Tasty — dubbed the “Internet’s favorite kitchen” — and evolved into a thriving e-commerce business as well.

Banking on consumer appetites for clean ingredients and responsibly-sourced meat, entrepreneur and investor Zubin Mehta launched Union Snacks into retail last week with two varieties: Charcuterie Crisps and Trail Mix Squares.

The new year kicked off with a slew of better-for-you treats hitting shelves, with new frozen desserts from Ben & Jerry’s and O’MY, keto-friendly confections from Halo Top and Birch Benders and limited edition Valentine’s Day offerings from LesserEvil and RXBAR. Check out the gallery for notable new products launched this month, which also includes the latest from Late July and Kiva Confections.

Specialty natural and organic grocery chain Earth Fare today announced it will close its 50 stores by the end of February, following similar announcements in recent weeks from Fairway Market and Lucky’s Market.

Beyond Fried Chicken is back, plus other Beyond Meat updates, Nestlé advances plant-based protein, and more in this week’s Checkout.

In an interview at the Winter Fancy Food Show, Miyoko Schinner, founder and CEO of Miyoko’s Creamery, discussed broadening the brand’s reach with new plant-based cheeses, including slices, blocks and shreds, a pizza cheese that will launch in foodservice this year and a new cultured oat milk butter.