Fruit, vegetable, nut ingredients

Dole celebrates 125 years of banana production with instore, digital promos all year

16-Feb-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Creating a recognizable name in produce is no easy feat, considering the limited number of recognizable brands in the market, but Dole did it and is tapping digital and in-store promotions to celebrate its 125th Banana-versary and differentiate itself...

InnovoPro expands beyond plant-based with clean-label emulsification solutions for bakery, beverage & beyond

15-Feb-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Israeli company InnovoPro is bringing its clean-label, chickpea protein powered solutions to the broader food and beverage industry after proving its ability to bind, blend, foam and problem-solve other common challenges within plant-based categories....

Exclusive: Pairwise stops marketing gene-edited Conscious Greens to focus on new high-value, gene-edited crops

13-Feb-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

To continue blazing a path for gene-edited food in North America that is more convenient and nutrient-dense than conventional counterparts, food-tech startup Pairwise has decided to discontinue marketing its first CRISPR-edited product, Conscious Greens...

USDA pushes for more timely SNAP payments that account for a third of retail grocery sales

12-Feb-2024 By Deniz Ataman

SNAP households are a major contributor to F&B sales, with 70% of SNAP dollars going towards food and beverages, according to Circana data, yet problems with late and inaccurate payments by states hinder access to food for the 42 million participants...

Hungryroot grows 40% YoY, expands curation of healthy foods

09-Feb-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Generating $333m in net revenue and more than $9m in profit, Hungryroot attributes its growth to its AI-driven “core personalization” of users’ food preferences and an expanded inventory in its three facilities, explained Alex Weinstein, the company’s...

Solely grows organic fruit-snack business with help from c-stores

07-Feb-2024 By Ryan Daily

Snack company Solely is seeing the fruits of its labor as it expands distribution across natural and c-store channels and tees up a rebrand and new flavors of its products, brand CEO Simón Sacal told FoodNavigator-USA.

Thistle’s rebrand is 10 years in the making after prioritizing ingredients first

06-Feb-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Subscription meal company, Thistle, held off on investing in its brand identity since it launched a decade ago to prioritize ingredient procurement and recipe development for its weekly plant-based menus that “don’t sacrifice on taste,” Ashwin Cheriyan,...

An ‘all time low’ for orange juice? Disease and drought squeeze supply

06-Feb-2024 By Flora Southey

Is a global orange juice shortage set to plague the beverage industry?

'Plant-based foods are here to stay,’ Dr. Praeger’s on rebrand, category’s evolution

02-Feb-2024 By Ryan Daily

Dr. Praeger’s is celebrating 30 years in frozen foods with a new look and feel, designed to showcase the deliciousness of plant-based foods, former brand CEO and current special advisor & board member, Larry Praeger, told FoodNavigator-USA.

Startup Spotlight

Harken Sweets reimagines ‘what a candy bar can be using the power of date fruit’

01-Feb-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

The founder of startup Harken Sweets, which launched earlier this month, wants to “nutritionally overhaul” the candy bar category by using “the power of the date fruit,” like how she helped Caulipower reinvigorate the pizza category with the “power of...

Once Upon a Farm unveils new dairy lineup, embraces regenerative farming

31-Jan-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Children's food brand Once Upon A Farm launches its A2/A2 whole milk shakes “to fill the gap no for added sugar dairy snacks” with milk sourced from grass-fed cows on regenerative farms, company CEO John Foraker told FoodNavigator-USA.

USDA invests $11.5m to reduce food waste from landfills

31-Jan-2024 By Deniz Ataman

USDA’s investment will go towards 38 cooperative agreements “that support innovative, scalable waste management plans to reduce and divert food waste from landfills,” according to the organization’s statement.

Healthy plant-based diet could reduce risk of developing type two diabetes by 24%

31-Jan-2024 By Donna Eastlake

A recent study has found that a nutritious plant-based diet, incorporating a reduced intake of processed and sugary foods, could decrease the risk of developing type two diabetes by improving metabolism and organ function.

Winter Fancy Food Show

Milkadamia’s Artisan plant-based milks launch in refrigerated set, show ‘less is more’

29-Jan-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Plant-based milk brand milkadamia moves into the refrigerated set and proves “less is more” with the debut of its organic Artisan macadamia milk and blends line that skips the fillers and gums common in many non-dairy beverages and responds to a growing...

Winter Fancy Food Show

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Trendspotting at the Winter Fancy Food Show reveals ‘better’ breakfasts, snacks, flavors and more

29-Jan-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

A resounding theme of “better” emerged at the Winter Fancy Food Show in Las Vegas last week, where more than 1,200 specialty food companies came together to showcase the latest innovations in cheese, condiments, baked goods, snacks and more.

Evergreen’s playful rebrand, reformulation shows healthy doesn’t have to be boring

26-Jan-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Female-founded startup Evergreen is ready to go head-to-head with legacy players that currently dominate the $1.2 billion frozen waffle set with a brightly-colored, playful new look and an updated recipe packed with fruit and vegetables that promises...

Conserve capital or invest? Atomo Coffee doubles down with new facility

24-Jan-2024 By Ryan Daily

Seattle-based coffee startup Atomo Coffee is a couple of months away from launching its new manufacturing facility to scale production of its espresso, created with upcycled ingredients and no coffee beans, as the company double downs on its ambition...

Plant-based diet, whether ‘healthy’ or ‘unhealthy’, linked to weight loss

24-Jan-2024 By Donna Eastlake

Latest research suggests replacing animal products with vegan alternatives provides multiple health benefits, including weight loss.

Dietary Guidelines Advisory Subcommittees collaborate on diet simulations for diverse populations

23-Jan-2024 By Deniz Ataman

The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee's (DGAC)Health Equity Working Group and Food Pattern Modeling and Data Analysis subcommittees provided details on its pilot program to develop dietary intake patterns for American Indian and Alaska Native...

US: Whole and lactose-free milk sales grow as plant-based alternatives dip

21-Jan-2024 By Teodora Lyubomirova

While the annual fluid milk consumption continues to decline, some categories have bucked the trend with growing retail sales in 2023, according to newly-released data.

Startup Spotlight

[Video] ELAVI's journey to Costco and reinvigorating its brand

18-Jan-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Participating in Costco’s RoadShow and interacting directly with consumers to sample its gut-friendly, cashew dessert spreads gave WOC-founded startup ELAVI insights that would have “cost thousands of dollars” to acquire elsewhere, allowing it to make...

Fiber Foods eyes global expansion for dried jackfruit ingredient with help of PeakBridge funding

18-Jan-2024 By Ryan Daily

Ingredient supplier Fiber Foods is taking its dried jack fruit ingredient to a more global audience with the help of recent funding from venture capital firm PeakBridge, as hybrid plant-based and animal-based meat products gain traction, company co-founder...

Intelligentsia reformulates its RTD oat milk lattes without Oatly to lower costs, streamline its supply chain

17-Jan-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Intelligentsia Coffee is replacing Oatly oat milk with a new formulation in its RTD lattes as a way to "improve supply chain logistics and lowering cost of production," while balancing its flavors and sensory profile, Bailey Manson, director...

Daily Harvest’s January Jumpstart program features GLP-1-focused meal plans

15-Jan-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Daily Harvest's debut of its GLP-1 Companion Food Collection as part of its quick-to-prep January Jumpstart plan includes “meals made with only real foods that are calorie-conscious while delivering ample vitamins and minerals,” Carolina Schneider,...

Can Oatly reinvigorate slowing oatmilk category sales with launch unsweetened, clean-label options?

11-Jan-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Oatmilk pioneer Oatly’s new Unsweetened Oatmilk and Super Basic Oatmilk, which launched this week, respond to rising consumer concerns about plant-based milks, including their nutritional value and, for some, long lists of unfamiliar ingredients, which...

From tuna to plant-based fish, how brands are expanding the canned fish category

11-Jan-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Poised to grow to $50.47bn by 2030, the global canned seafood market is driven by consumer demand for nutrient-rich foods, like protein and fatty acids, and longer shelf-life, per Grandview Research data. Notably, canned tuna, with its high nutritional...

Precision versus personalization: AHARA explores a “new frontier” in nutrition

10-Jan-2024 By Deniz Ataman

With the rising popularity of personalized nutrition plans, AHARA’s app takes personalization one step further through precision nutrition, a combination of machine-learning, evidence-based nutrition science and an international advisory board to verify...

Vegetarian consumers feel left out in today’s market, Ingredient Communications reports

09-Jan-2024 By Ryan Daily

Vegetarian consumers are increasingly dissatisfied with the food choices available to them, as 100% plant-based might have deterred some shoppers, according to research conducted by market research company SurveyGoo and commissioned by Ingredient Communications....

A cup of lab-grown Joe: researchers release proof of concept for cell-cultured coffee

09-Jan-2024 By Deniz Ataman

Dr. Heiko Rischer and his team at VTT Technical Research of Finland published its cell-cultured coffee recipe, highlighting the opportunity to strengthen and reinforce the global coffee supply chain.

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Tea sales rise, but volume flattens as brands explore how to boost consumption

08-Jan-2024 By Elizabeth Crawford

Tea’s inherent functional benefits, positive sustainability messaging and diverse usage occasions, formats and flavor profiles should make it a shoe-in for US consumers searching for healthier options that don’t compromise taste or convenience, and yet...

CRISPR launch aims to future-proof agrifood production

04-Jan-2024 By Natasha Spencer-Joilliffe

CRISPR technology, the gene-editing technology, hones in on food security and sustainability through genetic modification.

Chamberlain Coffee continues RTD expansion, launches Oatmilk Lattes

02-Jan-2024 By Deniz Ataman

The Gen Z-oriented coffee brand Chamberlain Coffee released Salted Caramel and Mocha oatmilk lattes last month to “appeal to those that like a sweeter coffee and prefer oats as their top choice of milk,” Christopher Gallant, CEO, told FoodNavigator-USA.

[Video] Green Onyx launches its vertically farmed freshwater lentils into space

20-Dec-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Pioneering the growth of nutrient-dense duckweed in its indoor farm, Israeli start-up Green Onyx launched its flagship product, Wanna Greens, to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard SpaceX. The mission allows them to test their innovative cultivation...

How to produce higher value alternative proteins with less cost, waste and energy

20-Dec-2023 By René Floris, NIZO Food Research Division Manager

Innovative processing and sequential extraction and purification hold the key, believes NIZO Food Research.

Springdale Ventures raises $40M for Fund II, targets early-stage CPG brands

19-Dec-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Nearly doubling its size since 2019, the Austin-based venture capital firm secures its new funding round with backing from returning limited partners, family offices, entrepreneurs, and athletes.

Producers boost plant-based meat’s nutritional value

19-Dec-2023 By Natasha Spencer-Joilliffe

Plant-based meats role in public health will be boosted by the addition of ingredients such as vitamin B12.

Holland and Barrett predicts health trends for 2024

19-Dec-2023 By Olivia Brown

Following strong trends in protein and immunity throughout 2023, Holland and Barrett predicts new consumer demands for natural energy alternatives, cognitive care, personalised hormonal support, and optimised hydration in 2024.

How do we measure the success of regenerative agriculture?

19-Dec-2023 By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

A more granular approach to regenerative agriculture that considers farmer's experience and the local landscape will help drive positive outcomes for people, nature and climate says Regen10

Peach is 2024’s flavour of the year: Chosen to inspire community, kindness and comfort

19-Dec-2023 By Gill Hyslop

It’s expected to be a year of blush – with dsm-firmenich declaring Peach+ as its 12th annual Flavour of the Year, inspired by Pantone’s Colour of the Year, Peach Fuzz.

Beyond meat and dairy analogues: What can plant-based protein do?

15-Dec-2023 By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

Plant-based protein isn’t just about meat and dairy analogues. At Food Ingredients Europe in Frankfurt last month, FoodNavigator spoke to companies doing a range of things with alternative proteins outside of simply adding them to plant-based burgers,...

NYC’s public schools expand farm to school programming, improving nutrition access

15-Dec-2023 By Deniz Ataman

New York City Public Schools’ Office of Food & Nutrition Services (OFNS) received $200,000 from USDA and New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSDAM) for agricultural education programming, enhance local produce sourcing from marginalized...

AHARA partners with Instacart to streamline shopping for personalized nutrition

15-Dec-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Precision nutrition and food-tech platform AHARA's integration with Instacart allows users to easily add nutritionist-recommended items to their grocery lists on the food delivery platform.

Partnership for a Healthier America and Instacart tap D.C.’s nutrition programs to improve fresh produce access for underserved families

14-Dec-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Combining local community programs and services with national technology and nutrition education, Partnership for a Healthier America’s (PHA) Good Food at Home program has reached 30 cities across the U.S., with a recent launch in Washington, D.C. The...

Barebells’ taps into healthy indulgence with its latest soft protein snack bar flavor

13-Dec-2023 By Deniz Ataman

With its recent launch in the US, Barebells’ expands its Soft Bar protein bar portfolio with its latest flavor, Soft Bar Banana Caramel, blending banana, caramel and chocolate with no added sugar and 16g of protein per serving to “taste [more] like a...

WNWN completes Mondelēz innovation program with plans to expand its chocolate-free line

11-Dec-2023 By Deniz Ataman

WNWN Food Labs’ recent completion in Mondelēz International, Inc.’s CoLab Tech accelerator is “just the beginning” for the cocoa-free brand, Johnny Drain, co-founder, WNWN, told FoodNavigator-USA.

The proof is in the compostable cup: Better for All's strategy for composting over recycling

11-Dec-2023 By Deniz Ataman

While more companies are ordering Better for All’s land and marine compostable cups compared to five years ago, the cups’ base biopolymer P-Hydroxy-Benzoate Hydroxylase (PHBH) is roughly 1.6 times more expensive than PLA (polylactic acid), a natural polymer...

Daiya Foods embraces dairy-like culturing methods as it unleashes reformulated plant-based cheese

11-Dec-2023 By Teodora Lyubomirova

The company tells us more about its reformulation process and the key to achieving ‘smooth, creamy texture and dairy-like melt’.

[Video] Strawberry (vertical) fields forever: Plenty expands from leafy greens with Driscoll’s partnership

07-Dec-2023 By Deniz Ataman

While Plenty will continue growing leafy greens in its 100,000 square foot Compton, Calif., facility to retailers like Walmart, the indoor vertical farm heads for the East coast to Richmond, Va., where it will use Driscoll’s genetic know-how to grow flavorful...

How can industry turn the tide on seaweed consumption?

07-Dec-2023 By Flora Southey

In Europe, many consumers associated seaweed with the rotting, smelly kelp that washes up on beaches. How can industry cultivate consumer appetite for marine plants?

Beyond the berry, Oishii launches Rubī tomato

06-Dec-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Oishii’s Rubī, which means “ruby” in Japanese, is the vertical farm’s third fruit within its portfolio to launch in select Whole Foods locations with expected expansion to other locations in the coming months. Prior to Rubī, the vertical farm launched...