Fruit, vegetable, nut ingredients

Brightseed’s Bio Gut Fiber sourced from upcycled hemp hulls, supports gut health

24-Oct-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Bio Gut Fiber is a result of Brightseeds’ AI-driven platform, Forager, which discovered the unique bioactives from hemp hulls to fortify the gut lining, Alina Slotnik, VP bioactives, Brightseed, explained to FoodNavigator-USA.

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Instacart Health bridges stakeholders to foster food as medicine movement

23-Oct-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Good food is the foundation for good health, but according to the US Department of Agriculture 10% of Americans, or approximately 33.8 million people, don’t have reliable access to healthy nutrition – a sobering statistic that online grocery technology...

Futureproofing the Food System

How AI and digital transformation are influencing the food and beverage industry

23-Oct-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Manufacturers and retailers are improving their technology stack through digital transformation strategies and AI to improve operations and address historical food and beverage challenges from ingredient shortages and reformulations to predicting current...

Alaska Airlines partners with Stumptown Coffee for in-flight service and select airport lounges

20-Oct-2023 By Deniz Ataman

The recent partnership between Alaska Airlines and Stumptown Coffee features a custom coffee blend brewed specifically for high altitudes and highlights the airlines’ collaboration with West Coast-based food and beverage brands.

Eight crops endangered by climate change

19-Oct-2023 By Oliver Morrison

From staple crops like potatoes and maize, to cash crops for wealthier customers like cocoa and coffee, climate change is having a widespread impact on global agricultural production.

National Association for Convenience Stores

Blending convenience, novelty and flavors at NACS’ Cool New Products snack showcase

18-Oct-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Never-before-seen alternative snacks, energy drinks and frozen packaged snacks dubuted at the National Association for Convenience Stores’ Cool New Products expo Oct. 3-6 in Atlanta, Ga.

‘It is crucial for consumer acceptance’: Replacing animal fats in plant-based food

18-Oct-2023 By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

While with any food, ‘taste is king,’ texture is also extremely important, especially in products aiming to mimic meat. For optimal texture, many manufacturers argue, animal fats, which contribute significantly to the texture of real meat, must be replicated...

Natural Products Expo East

Upcycling industry seeks mobile technology, government support to bolster growth

18-Oct-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

As brands ramp-up innovation to meet burgeoning consumer interest in upcycled products, industry stakeholders must overcome sourcing hurdles by modifying the supply chain from what the Upcycled Food Association describes as a “linear progression where...

‘This stuff is so abundant’: The benefits of using side streams in food production

17-Oct-2023 By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

Using side streams in food production has a wide range of benefits. They can help cut down on the environmental impact of operations. They are neglected but often highly nutritious. Lastly, because of the breadth of food companies who have side streams,...

Futureproofing the Food System: What will it take to deliver on the promise of alternative proteins?

17-Oct-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Between FDA and USDA greenlighting the sale of cultivated chicken in the US, the ground-breaking of a large-scale precision fermentation facilities and advances in molecular farming, 2023 has been a banner year for novel protein production. But the path...

Willingness to pay more for fresh food could hinge on health, sustainability beneits

12-Oct-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Consumers are willing to pay a premium for fresh food to reap perceived health benefits, but rumblings from shoppers and retailers alike that suppliers have raised prices higher than necessary to offset inflation could portend a negative shift in elasticity...

National Association for Convenience Stores

Perfect Hydration aligns with fitness industry, features brand refresh at NACS

11-Oct-2023 By Deniz Ataman

To standout in a saturated category, Perfect Hydration highlights its functionality and recycling initiative as part of a brand refresh unveiled during the National Association for Convenience Stores in Atlanta, Ga., Oct. 3-6.

National Association for Convenience Stores

C-store consumer habits: balancing impulse purchases with nuanced usage occasions

11-Oct-2023 By Deniz Ataman

C-stores can attract and retain customers who are looking for a quick and easy meal or snack by offering a variety of fresh and convenient food options, as well as bundling deals that offer discounts on popular products, Kathy Risch SVP, shopper insights...

VWS Pathfinder 2023 pitch competition announces top 10 finalists

10-Oct-2023 By Deniz Ataman

The virtual pitch competition on Nov. 1, 2023 is an opportunity for women founders in the plant-based and animal-free industries to gain more visibility and funding.

The effect of masculine marketing on vegan diets

09-Oct-2023 By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

One of the most pervasive cultural perceptions around food consumption in general is that eating meat is for men and that, conversely, veganism is feminine. A new study explores whether reframing vegan dishes through masculine marketing alters men’s conception,...

Natural Products Expo East

Plant Based Foods Association launches consumer marketing initiative to fuel growth, address ‘considerable challenges’

05-Oct-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

The diversity, availability and sales of plant-based foods continue to grow, despite the high-profile struggles of meat alternatives, and as they do, the Plant Based Foods Association is preparing to lead stakeholders into the next phase of the industry’s...

Join us next week for FoodNavigator-USA's digital Futureproofing the Food System Nov. 14-16

03-Oct-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

To feed a global population of 10bn people by 2050 we need to produce more food in the next 40 years than we have in the past 8,000 years, but as illustrated by the Green Revolution simply increasing available calories isn’t the answer – they need to...

JM Smucker reduces GHG emissions by 93%, outlines next steps for sustainability goals

02-Oct-2023 By Deniz Ataman

JM Smucker, the maker of Folgers, Dunkin', Café Bustelo, Jif and Smucker's Uncrustables, is making strides towards its efforts to reduce energy and water use, improve renewable and recyclable packaging and reach zero waste targets -- but it...

Former FDA Frank Yiannas to bring multidimensional risk assessment to Revol Greens as safety advisor

29-Sep-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Frank Yiannas, former deputy commissioner for food policy and response at FDA, will join Revol Greens as an advisor for food safety with oversight of the company’s food safety practices, including engineering solutions and engaging smart agricultural...

Can chilled children’s nutrition brand Once Upon a Farm do for snack bars what it did for baby food?

28-Sep-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

With this week’s launch of three Refrigerated Oat Bars, children’s nutrition brand Once Upon a Farm is hoping to do for children’s snack bar category what it did for baby food in 2015 when it debuted its high-pressure-processed baby food in pouches merchandized...

Plant-based meat shows promise for reducing cardiovascular risk factor

27-Sep-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Consuming plant-based meat, rather than its conventional counterpart from animals, is correlated with a “significant drop” in an emerging cardiovascular risk factor in a small study funded by an unrestricted gift from Beyond Meat and presented last week...

Bridging the gap between conventional meat and alternative proteins

27-Sep-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Alternative proteins offer myriad potential solutions to curb the effects of climate change and public health risks, while creating space for partnerships with corporate meat producers, panelists said during the Good Food Conference last week in a session...

Season Health brings prescription food services to health care plans across the country

26-Sep-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Following his experience witnessing the effects of ingredient-and-recipe meal kit services on consumer health during his tenure as Plated's former CEO, Josh Hix now leads Season Health as its CEO. The company collaborates with health plan benefits...

Yuzuco bridges the divide between juice availability in US, consumer demand for yuzu

22-Sep-2023 By Ryan Daily

Juice company Yuzuco is on a mission to spread the refreshing and aromatic attributes of yuzu in the US as it shores up its supply chain and release new products, company co-founder and CEO Basil Beshkov told FoodNavigator-USA.

‘We’re not trying to mimic milk’: Rude Health backs nutrition-forward strategy amid plant-based ‘shakedown’

21-Sep-2023 By Flora Southey

The breakfast brand’s commitment to clean label – or as clean label as functionality allows – will see it through the current plant-based ‘shakedown’, co-founder and brand director Camilla Barnard tells FoodNavigator.

What does AeroFarms re-emergence from Chapter 11 and AppHarvest’s liquidation say about the future of vertical farming?

19-Sep-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

The re-emergence of AeroFarms Inc. from Chapter 11 and BrightFarms partnership with Element Farms, both announced this week, could help reassure those who are skeptical of the economic viability of controlled environmental agriculture, but the ongoing...

Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee

Health Equity Working Group provides framework for Dietary Guidelines for Americans protocols

14-Sep-2023 By Deniz Ataman

A Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) working group shared this week refined protocols for systematic reviews, food pattern modeling and committee evidence review which will shape the committee’s recommendations for the Dietary Guidelines for...

[Watch] Cavi-art showcases seaweed-based caviar, shrimp alternatives

13-Sep-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Jens Møller Products ApS, the company behind Cavi-art, produces sustainable, plant-based alternatives to luxury seafood. The company featured its seaweed-based caviar, roe and whole shrimp during the Plant Based World Expo in New York City Sept. 7 and...

ADM’s nutrition business slows, but execs are confident in ‘ambidextrous’ growth approach

13-Sep-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Global nutrition giant Archer-Daniels-Midland is adopting an “ambidextrous” approach that relies on improved productivity and innovation to drive short- and long-term growth across its business and offset ongoing softness in its nutrition segment, according...

DAVIDsTEA delivers flavor-and-function-forward teas

13-Sep-2023 By Deniz Ataman

DAVIDsTEA is growing its loose tea portfolio with more adaptogen-forward blends that promote a wide range of health attributes like relaxation, sleep, energy and more.

Planteneers expands customer service and applications capabilities for plant-based customers

12-Sep-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Planteneers broadens its customer service and applications technology team with the launch of its Plantbaser online platform and upcoming pilot plant facility in Aurora, Illinois to better meet the demands of its plant-based customers, explained Ashley...

Prescription produce programs associated with better health, food security – bolstering food as medicine movement

05-Sep-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

New research shows adults at risk of heart disease who were prescribed produce ate more fruits and vegetables and after six months had lower blood pressure, body mass index and blood sugar levels – buttressing calls by public health advocates and The...

Juni sparkling tea blends cultures, benefits for body & mind from adaptogens, nootropics

05-Sep-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

For many Americans living a fast-paced, on-the-go lifestyle, the meditative benefits of slowly sipping a hot mug of tea may be out of reach, but the health benefits and feeling of refreshment that come from a beverage brewed with adaptogenic, nootropic...

Apothékary makes herbalism accessible with customizable beverage tinctures and powders

30-Aug-2023 By Deniz Ataman

With the July launch of wine alternative tincture, Rosé-Tinted Glasses, Apothékary’s CEO and founder, Shizu Okusa, explained to FoodNavigator-USA that the company’s focus is bringing cross-cultural herbalism to consumers who are looking for better-for-you...

NutriLeads’ upcycled carrot prebiotic fiber BeniCaros delivers functional benefits without formulation headaches, side effects common with competing ingredients

30-Aug-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Consumers looking for functional benefits ranging from gut health and immunity support to general well-being increasingly are drawn to products with prebiotics – but formulation challenges related to most prebiotics’ bulk and negative side-effects, including...

Aura Bora grows into conventional channel with help of botanical interest, multipacks

30-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

Natural sparkling water brand Aura Bora is taking its premium, culinary-inspired sparkling beverages beyond natural channels as more consumers demand botanical-infused drinks, brand CEO Paul Voge told FoodNavigator-USA.

James Bradley announced as Revol Greens’ CFO

29-Aug-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Revol Greens announces its new chief financial officer, James Bradley, who will help shape the company’s expansion within the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) lettuce and greens category, including its recent launch of the Temple, Texas facility.

Hungryroot's personalized grocery service hits $182 million in revenue

29-Aug-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Hungryroot's transition to an AI-driven, personalized grocery and recipe service has resulted in a 67% YoY revenue growth to $182 million in 1H 2023, Alex Weinstein, chief digital officer, Hungryroot, told FoodNavigator-USA.

From functional to ethical, identifying the health halo in botanicals

29-Aug-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Angela Getzel, beverage business development lead, Kerry, explained to FoodNavigator-USA that as consumers are looking for more label transparency, from low/no sugar and artificial ingredients to environmental responsibility, botanicals fit into that...

Planting Hope acquires Argo Tea, focuses on reaching Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumers

28-Aug-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Foodtech company, Planting Hope plans to reach Gen Z and Gen Alpha with its recent acquisition of a portion of Argo Tea’s assets, Julia Stamberger, CEO & Co-Founder, Planting Hope, told FoodNavigator-USA.

Birdzi to power Berkot’s loyalty program

23-Aug-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Berkot’s Super Foods will implement Birdzi’s comprehensive customer intelligence and engagement system across its 17 grocery locations in Wisconsin and Illinois.

[Webinar] Better-for-you beverage brands meet the moment with functionality, flavor, nutrition

22-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

Consumers today are not only satisfied with great-tasting, affordable and nutritious beverages; they also want products that fit into their lifestyles and provide a range of functional benefits from energy, focus, and even heart, brain, and immune system...

New tool to boost fruit and vegetable shelf life and cut waste

21-Aug-2023 By Oliver Morrison

The technology – from Poland-based food-tech company Fresh Inset – promises to preserve freshness, vitamins and antioxidants.

ELAVI expands its gut-friendly portfolio with plant-based cashew butter jars

21-Aug-2023 By Deniz Ataman

On trend with the healthy indulgence movement, ELAVI launches its low sugar, gut-friendly and plant-based cashew butter jars, adding to its existing portfolio of nut butter packets and snack bars.

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: TiNDLE sees long-term growth in plant-based despite current downturn

19-Aug-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Even though plant-based protein sales continued to slide in July, prompting retailers to slim down and shift offerings from the more premium placement in the refrigerated section to the freezer aisle, startup TiNDLE Foods still sees significant opportunity...

Oishii continues to sidestep struggles plaguing vertical farms, taps CPG veteran to further fuel growth

17-Aug-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

At a time when many players in the controlled environment agriculture industry are laying off employees, filing for bankruptcy and in some cases closing their doors, vertical farm Oishii continues to grow – expanding production, distribution, its portfolio...

Just Date expands retail for Organic Date Sugar, launches at Sprouts nationwide

17-Aug-2023 By Deniz Ataman

The brand’s retail launch of Organic Date Sugar as a sugar alternative in Sprouts stores expands its placement in regional health food stores like Whole Foods Market, Natural Grocers, Central Market, Erewhon and Fresh Thyme Market.

FDA considers lowering the Brix level for pasteurized orange juice, but seeks additional information

16-Aug-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

FDA may change the standard of identity for pasteurized orange juice to lower the beverage’s minimum Brix level – or soluble solids content – which influences sweetness and certain nutrients, at the behest of Florida citrus stakeholders depending on consumer...

Rebellyous Foods overcomes ‘quality at scale’ challenges for plant-based protein production to close supply-demand gap

15-Aug-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

For the plant-based meat industry to close the supply and demand gap and reduce prices it must overcome what Rebellyous Foods CEO and Founder Christie Lagally describes as a “quality at scale” challenge, in which limited access to the “right tools” drives...

Will aronia berry be the next elderberry? A3 spreads the word on fruit's functional properties

14-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

With a high antioxidant content and functional properties, aronia berries might be the next big hero ingredient for better-for-you applications, Blake Johnson, managing partner with American Aronia Accelerator (A3), told FoodNavigator-USA.