Food Industry News, Insights, and Education for the CPG Community

Newly launched CPG Private Equity firm Forward Consumer Partners has made its first acquisition, taking a majority stake in Virginia based artisanal cracker maker and baking company Firehook Bakery.

On the heels of significant distribution gains in both the U.S. and Canada, caffeinated chocolate brand AWAKE has closed a CAD$5 million (approximately $3.6 million USD) follow-on funding round from Btomorrow Ventures.

In this week’s notable new products roundup, Stuffed Puffs reinvents its flagship milk chocolate-stuffed marshmallows, Whisps launches its “cheesiest cheese snack yet,” and Kettle Brand capitalizes on the rising popularity of Korean cuisine in the U.S with a limited-edition Gochujang flavor.

Mellody is readying to substantially scale up its plant-based honey business through a new retail distribution partnership with KeHE, starting with Town & Country Markets in the Pacific Northwest region.

Venture investment in food and beverage brands is at its highest point in two years, according to the latest Q1 2024 report from research group FABID. But that doesn’t mean the market isn’t still tight, as well.

On the CPG Week podcast, the team discuss food news stories involving trademark infringement, Trader Joe’s innovation and anti-diet dietitians this week. Plus, a BevNET original song to baked beans.

In between the grandiose visions of the A.I. future that have dominated the discourse, and the heaps of investment dollars flooding the sector, these programs are already being integrated into many aspects of life and business.

The Hain Celestial Group has sold cookie brand Thinsters to Icee and Dippin’ Dots owner J&J Snack Foods in an all-cash transaction. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Laird Superfood has moved towards a more positive future after shifting to an asset-light production model, reducing capital burn on marketing, and prioritizing its direct-to-consumer and ecommerce distribution channels.

Why is a performance energy and protein brand expanding into the breakfast set? Ghost Lifestyle co-founder, CEO and self-described “cereal aficionado” Daniel Lourenco said “that’s the easiest question of all.”

David Chang’s Momofuku brand is targeting food brands like Homiah and MìLà with cease-and-desist letters claiming trademark infringement over “chili crunch” products.

In this week’s new products roundup, Wonderful Pistachios unveils its newest fiery flavor, Kraft launches its first innovation under the new Kraft Sauces rebrand and Pop-Tarts seeks to make some noise in the snack aisle.

Tolerant Foods, the maker of organic legume-based pasta products, announced Thursday in an Instagram post that it has closed its doors and will begin winding down the brand.

The CPG Week team brings on BevNET spirits editor Ferron Salniker to talk about the rumors circulating around adult non-alcoholic beverage retailer Boisson and the group discusses how far is too far with edgy branding in the beverage industry.