News & Analysis on Food & Beverage Development & Technology
After years of acquisitions and declining sales, the health-focused food company is narrowing its portfolio and using the proceeds to shore up its balance sheet
In 2026, longevity – not hype – is the real differentiator
Soup-to-Nuts Podcast
As protein demand rises and consumers grow choosier, Good Food Institute Founder Bruce Friedrich outlines how plant-based and cultivated meat can move beyond hype and become investable, scalable industries
As the company reopens applications for its R&D-led accelerator, the focus areas highlight mounting pressure around climate resilience, packaging constraints and shifting consumer expectations
Berkshire Hathaway’s move to exit sends shockwaves through industry - what does it mean for the future of Big Food?
As dealmaking slows and capital shifts to AI, the premium children’s food company is testing whether investors still have room for growth-stage CPG by touting its diverse portfolio, household penetration and steady year-over-year growth
Top VCs share what gets CPG brands funded
Startup Spotlight
Early-stage founders share how they’re reinventing indulgent foods while navigating one of the toughest fundraising environments in recent years
Mars, Ferrara ride TikTok-fueled demand while Sow Good restructures to survive
Good Culture’s multi-million dollar backing highlights why cottage cheese may be investors’ next big bet
Capital hasn’t disappeared from cellular agriculture - but investors now want proof the market is ready
Government support rises even as startups reset
Startup Spotlight
Backed by a $1 million investment from Global Brain, Baltimore-based startup Offbeast is scaling a proprietary fiber assembly process to tackle texture, one of the category’s toughest challenges
Steady wages, tax refunds and undervalued assets set the stage for targeted growth and strategic deals
Mars Food & Nutrition invested $20 million to help rice farmers adopt climate-smart practices that reduce water usage and greenhouse gas emissions while protecting yields
CEO James Quincey says bolt-on M&A will become a ‘bigger feature’ for Coca-Cola and the larger industry, but the timing hinges on innovation cycles and the beverage giant’s prolonged IRS dispute
Unilever is set to offload Graze for a fraction of its 2019 purchase price. Can Katjes revive the struggling snack brand?
The confectionery giant’s latest move – snapping up LesserEvil – pulls it deeper into the everyday snacking landscape it’s been circling for years
Exclusive data analysis carried out by FutureBridge on behalf of Food Manufacture has identified the top 100 hottest food and drink start-ups worldwide.
Pickles are big business and experiencing rapid growth through savvy startups and private-label expansion
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
Seasoned deal advisors share the emerging trends shaping valuations, investor expectations, and what founders must do now to stay competitive
Startup Spotlight
From Greek yogurt crust to store shelves, Yough! is navigating the hurdles of scaling a healthier frozen pizza
The fresh fruit producer plans to invest in fruit genetics and AI to boost its positioning in the healthy snacking segment
The producer of animal-free egg whites and egg white proteins plans to scale to the mass market, starting with Walmart
Nut butter pioneer hopes to recapture the entrepreneurial spark that made his snack company a category trailblazer
Founder Justin Gold and former CEO Peter Burns return to lead next phase of growth
From traceable sourcing to employee engagement, Acme’s Citizens of Seafood initiative and Climate Awards demonstrate how seafood companies can align business success with environmental responsibility
The company’s proprietary ingredient Caseed mimics dairy casein without the allergenic effects of dairy, nuts and soy for B2B partners
Rapid growth and supply chain hurdles prompt the outdoor-focused brand to consider new strategies and possibly investors
By layering an “AI watchtower” over existing enterprise resource planning systems, startup Burnt claims to automate tedious order management in seconds without forcing distributors to change how they work
The Canadian organic dried pasta company is scaling rapidly in Canada and the US
Founded on regenerative farming and community collaboration, Skagit Valley-based Cairnspring Mills is scaling its “craft flour revolution” with a new Blue Mountain facility, investor enthusiasm and strong demand from bakers and foodservice operators
The EU has resumed its investigation into Mars’ $35.9bn merger with Kellanova, following a stop in July
Sustainable September
The USDA, National Geographic Society and Growing Justice Fund offer funding to strengthen food production
Sustainable September
German company looks to US collaborators to scale compostable bottles
Elliott Investment Management, with a $4bn stake in the company, wants to shake things up
The deal also includes a $558 million investment from PepsiCo and distribution of Celsius’ Alani Nu
The new accelerator empowers early-stage seafood innovators to develop and launch value-added products that meet growing consumer demand for sustainable, traceable West Coast seafood
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
Pitchbook reports a modest rebound in private equity deals in Q1 of 2025, and JPalmer Collective’s Jennifer Palmer sees reasons for optimism for mission-driven brands and women-owned and -led brands. But both warn the current uncertainty is the new norm
From billion-dollar beverage buyouts to bold wellness bets, 2025’s food and drink M&A deals reveal what’s shaping the future of the industry
Start-ups behind scalable dairy innovations stand to benefit from financial, mentorship and marketing support to bring their products to market
The food delivery program aims to expand its personalized and diet-compliant meals using local chefs across the US
Sojo Industries will use the funds to improve CPG supply chains with fast-deploy modular packaging robotics and blockchain-enabled logistics software
The company leveraged Founder Anna Vocino’s podcast and cookbook audience, clean-label products and Startup CPG momentum to expand into 479 more Kroger banner stores
A thoughtful, well-timed exit begins not with the market, but with a company’s internal readiness
Positive Nutrition
As inflation continues to strain household budgets, consumers are zeroing in on grocery staples that offer clear nutritional and economic value, which often exclude plant-based foods
As sustainable protein companies scale, reproducibility is foundational – and the future of alt protein depends on shared scientific standards, from lab upgrades to collaborative testing.
Beyond Meat expands amid sinking category sales, consumers show a growing but shallow interest in gut health and FDA’s focus on dyes signals a potential distraction from larger regulatory tasks
Food and beverage manufacturers must know the difference between voluntary and mandatory allergen labeling to ensure consumers understand their exposure risk
President Trump’s ‘pause’ on higher reciprocal tariffs may have relieved stock market investors, but industry insiders say CPG manufacturers, retailers and grocery shoppers remain uncertain about the future