Top Feature
Taza Dark Bark To Offer ‘Indulgence with Benefits’
This month chocolate brand Taza Chocolate launched its first snacking product, Dark Bark, in Whole Foods Markets nationwide. The brand will highlight the bark at this week’s Sweets and Snacks Expo.
Peeled Snacks Raises Capital for Produce Derived Snacking
Last week, plant-based snack brand Peeled Snacks announced the close of a round of fundraising led by Seurat Capital. Investment bank Whipstitch Capital served as an advisor to Peeled for the deal.
Distribution Roundup: Hummustir Goes Nationwide, Birch Bender Adds Hannaford
From shelf-stable hummus to specialty toffee, these NOSH brands are not only innovating, but also getting their products in more consumers’ mouths. Here are some of the industry’s newest distribution additions.
Osso Good Issues Voluntary Recall
The issue was discovered when a consumer submitted a complaint to the USDA. Osso Co-Founder and CFO Toran Hilmer told NOSH that the complaint was submitted as an “anonymous tip.”
Hampton Creek CEO Talks Lessons Learned, ‘New Chapters’
It hasn’t always been an easy road for Hampton Creek. The Just Mayo maker made headlines for all the wrong reasons after a run-in with the FDA regarding the product’s marketing, a buyback investigation by the SEC and, most recently, reported funding struggles and layoffs. There have also been lawsuits and investigative reports to deal with, as well as personal criticisms of the company’s CEO, Josh Tetrick. Nevertheless, Tetrick told NOSH this week that the most recent changes at Hampton Creek do not signify turmoil for the San Francisco-based startup, but rather “a new chapter.”
What We Know About the Stonyfield Farm Sale
The New Hampshire-based company’s owner, Danone, announced earlier this year its plans to sell Stonyfield, which saw 2016 sales of $370 million. The brand is proving to be a hot commodity for big food companies outside of the U.S.. This week’s headlines indicate that least two bids — one by Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial, another by Mexico’s Grupo Lala– have been placed for the organic yogurt maker.
Report: Small Brands Beat Big CPGs in Innovation
Early-stage investor group CircleUp found that some of the industry’s biggest CPGs spend up to six times more on marketing and advertising of old products than they do on innovation of new products. This old-school way of business is now costing large companies market share.
Investors See Green with R.e.d.d.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed but an April 2016 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission indicated the company had closed roughly $850,000 of a $1.5 million round. The Portland, Maine-based brand previously raised $1 million in Spring 2016.
Nutrition Bar Founders Hope to ‘Empact’ Lives of Women
Colorado-based Empact Bar was created six months ago by two married former lawyers turned fitness video and healthy snack creators, Melonie and Zeke DeRose. The women-focused and mission-driven protein bar company wants to not only fuel women throughout their day with nutrient-dense food, but also to empower women.
ICYMI: 3 Takeaways From Last Week’s Earnings Calls
Dean Foods, Tyson Inc., Snyder’s Lance Inc. and Natural Grocers all held quarterly earnings calls last week. Though the companies span categories, their leaders’ sentiments were surprisingly similar in the way they set up their roadmaps for 2017.









