Natural Sweeteners & Vegan Orange Chicken: CPG News, Weeks of July 5 & 12
Contents
Unioncrate's curated biweekly round-up of CPG & supply chain news. This week's news features funding rounds for Nature's Fynd and X2, rebrands for ROAR and ChocXO, and the "scan-and-ship" retail experience.
investments-acquisitions
Investments & Acquisitions
Layn Natural Ingredients is investing $148M to expand its production of plant-based sweeteners. Food Dive
TurtleTree Labs, a producer of cell-based milk, has raised an $80M Series A. Forbes
Chicago-based Nature’s Fynd, a producer of fungus-based meat alternatives, has raised a $158M funding round in part from Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, and Al Gore. Tech Register
Meati, another fungus-based meat alternative—this time specializing in whole cuts of meat—has raised $50M in a recent funding round. Food Dive
Online membership-based Thrive Market is looking into going public, possibly at a valuation of $2B. Bloomberg
Sports performance brand X2 has closed a $16M Series D, with backing from NFL player Saquon Barkley. BevNET
Glossier is gunning for international expansion with $80M from its Series E. Retail Dive
Israeli cultured meat company Aleph Farms has raised a $105M Series B. Food Dive
Canadian bar maker Buddha Brands has raised $3M in funding and has launched in the US. NOSH
The Single Origin Food Co., a producer of vegan honey, has raised a $1.1M seed round. Green Queen
Juice brand Suja Life has been acquired by PE firm Paine Schwartz Partners for an undisclosed sum. BevNET
products-partnerships
New Products & Partnerships
Beyond Meat’s latest partnership is at Panda Express, who now features the brand in its orange chicken at select locations. CNBC
In more Beyond news: Beyond Chicken Tenders have launched in food service outlets across the country. Food Dive
Catalina Crunch is branching out into savory snack territory, with some new branding coming along for the ride. NOSH
ROAR has rebranded too, shifting its messaging from sports hydration to all-day hydration. Food Navigator
In other rebrand news: ChocXO now touts its products as keto-friendly. ChocXO
The Coke Zero recipe got a makeover—and now, the zero-sugar version should taste more like the full-sugar version. Food Dive
Yoplait has launched a line of Skittles-inspired yogurt. Food Dive
supply-chain
Supply Chain News
Kroger is leveraging automation for its Great Lakes distribution center from logistics tech company Knapp. Supermarket News
Heinz is introducing 100% recyclable ketchup bottle caps into its supply chain. The Shelby Report
SpartanNash has opened its first micro-fulfillment center near its Grand Rapids, MI headquarters. Progressive Grocer
Walmart has partnered with robotics company Symbiotic to automate 25 of its regional distribution centers. MarketWatch
The price of shipping continues to increase as global supply chain jams persist. The Wall Street Journal
United Sodas of America is expanding into retail. BevNET
Poppilu has also gained nationwide retail distribution. BevNET
Consumers can now find Better Booch kombucha at Walmart. BevNET
Brazilian meat alternative brand Future Farm is expanding into the US. Food Dive
BlueTriton Brands, owner of Poland Springs and Pure Life, has appointed former Johnson & Johnson and Procter & Gamble exec Jorge Mesquita as its CEO. Food Dive
Instacart has appointed former Facebook exec Fidja Simo as its new CEO come August. Supermarket News
Sam’s Club is test-driving a “scan-and-ship” retail experience where customers can scan items in-store for later delivery. CNBC
Know Brainer’s Max Mallow has gained distribution at Walmart, while Undercover Snacks has expanded to 5,000 new stores. NOSH
good-reads
Good Reads
Despite the pandemic-driven spike in e-commerce, most of PepsiCo’s sales are actually coming from in-store retail. Modern Retail
CPG brands have found a new favorite retailer: Urban Outfitters. Modern Retail
As we venture out into the world more and more, fresh breath is becoming a forgotten priority: chewing gum sales are climbing. Food Dive
Something that isn’t unique to Covid, though? Consumers’ interest in immunity-boosting products. Food Business News
About Unioncrate
Unioncrate is an AI-powered Integrated Business Planning (IBP) platform that delivers demand forecasts with unmatched accuracy, collaborative visibility, and actionable intelligence—enabling CPG brands to plan and execute agile supply chain strategies at the click of a button.