Top Feature
Distribution Roundup: Sticky, Sweet and Chilly Additions to Retailer Shelves
The summer heat may be fading, but retailers are still hot for unique, natural products. The past few months have seen several notable additions by forward thinking retailers including Target, Safeway and Costco.
Simple Mills Expanding Baking Line Into Frostings
This week, baking mix and cracker brand Simple Mills launched two organic frostings, made with monk fruit, palm oil and coconut oil. The new line was given a sneak peak at the Summer Fancy Foods Show this past July, but is making its official debut in time for fall.
Closing $55 Million Initial Fund, BIGR Seeks to Stay True to Roots
After seeing their initial natural foods venture fund, Boulder Brands Investment Group (BIG) marginalized by its parent conglomerate’s spiral into a takeover, the fund’s three former leaders, Duane Primozich, Carole Buyers, and Bill Weiland, set to work raising a new fund, christened Boulder Investment Group Reprise, or BIGR Ventures.
Whole Foods Adds Talent from Walmart and Theranos to Executive Team
Natural products retailer Whole Foods Market has reached into the ranks of mainstream consumer, drug, and coffee in adding three key hires to its executive team.
People Moves: Boulder Brands, Acosta and Free2b Foods Announce Key Leadership Hires
August was a busy time for companies adding key new hires, as Boulder Brands, Free2b Foods, Acosta and General Mills all announced changes to their leadership teams.
O-M-Ghee: 4th & Heart Completes Fundraising Round
Today 4th & Heart, a producer of grass-fed, spreadable clarified butters, announced the closing of a Series A funding round totaling $1 million. The round was completed through website CircleUp, a crowdfunding platform for consumer brands to raise money from accredited investors.
Big Apple Venture Firm to Focus on the Big Easy
New Orleans has always been known as one of the top U.S. cities for chefs, restaurants and gastronomical adventures. Now the Big Easy has the potential to be known for the products found on supermarket shelves with the launch of food and beverage incubator Ceres 504.
Soupy Sales: Entering Whole Foods, Bru Broth Partners with L.A. Libations
Just two years after deciding to start a bone broth company, Bru Broth founders Soo-Ah Landa and Mary Butler have entered into an agreement with Coke-backed beverage incubator L.A. Libations to help them expand. As part of the deal, L.A. Libations will purchase equity in the fledgling bone broth company.
Israeli Dairy Company Launches U.S. Cottage Cheese Brand
Israel’s largest food manufacturer is aiming for success in the U.S. via the dairy case. While 90-year-old dairy company Tnuva has imported its products to the U.S. for years, they have served predominantly as niche brands in kosher retailers. This month, however, Tnuva is launching Muuna, a brand with mainstream aspirations in the suddenly-heating-up cottage cheese market.
Preview of Expo East Products and Trends
With this year’s Natural Products Expo East less than a month away, brands have started to announce what they’ll be featuring on the show floor. While some trends (low fat) have started to fade away, and others (ketogenic foods) are just starting to rise, a few (protein, paleo and comfort foods) are clearly here to stay — at least a bit longer.









