Finances and Deals: Page 9


  • politics
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    Adeline Kon/Food Dive
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    Deep Dive

    Political donations from 15 of the largest US food and beverage makers plunge

    Contributions from entities associated with these companies totaled $4.5 million during the 2024 election cycle compared to $8.2 million four years ago.

    By , Oct. 28, 2024
  • hormel
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    Courtesy of Hormel
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    Hormel sells its heath foods business for undisclosed amount

    The Spam manufacturer said the unit, which makes offerings for consumers facing conditions such as diabetes and cancer, is “very solid and can grow with the right partner.”

    By Oct. 25, 2024
  • Cans of Ghost Energy drinks.
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    Retrieved from Ghost.
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    Keurig Dr Pepper to buy energy drink brand Ghost for more than $1B

    The acquisition expands the beverage giant’s presence in the fast-growing category and deepens a portfolio that also includes water, soda, coffee and juice.

    By Oct. 24, 2024
  • Jif lineup
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    Courtesy of The J.M. Smucker Company
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    J.M. Smucker to sell Voortman cookies for $305M

    The deal with Brownie Brittle's owner, Second Nature, is the latest effort by the CPG giant to refine its portfolio and concentrate on its biggest growth opportunities.

    By Oct. 22, 2024
  • molson coors
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    Courtesy of Molson Coors
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    Molson Coors completes 4-year upgrade of Colorado brewery

    The Coors Banquet brewer said the modernization effort will result in less waste and help it save money.

    By Oct. 21, 2024
  • Brands owned by J&J Snack Foods, including Icee and SuperPretzel.
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    Retrieved from J&J Snack Foods.
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    Deep Dive

    The stealthy snacking giant behind Dippin’ Dots, Icee and other treats

    While J&J Snack Foods may not be a household name, the company has drawn praise for its “unique collection” of category-leading brands and nearly recession-proof business model.

    By Oct. 21, 2024
  • A row of king-sized Hershey chocolate bars sit on the shelf in a store.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Hershey invests $500M to improve cocoa farming struggles

    The confectionery giant is working with cooperatives in Côte d’Ivoire to partner with growers as a way to standardize cocoa cultivation and lift profits.

    By Elizabeth Flood • Oct. 17, 2024
  • A package of Mini Butterfinger.
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    Retrieved from Ferrero.
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    Ferrero’s Butterfinger debuts first major innovation in nearly a decade

    The Salted Caramel bar, which debuts in April, is the first limited-time offering for the century-old brand under the Nutella owner. Similar changes are expected for Crunch and Baby Ruth.

    By Oct. 15, 2024
  • the duckhorn portfolio
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    Courtesy of Duckhorn Portfolio
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    Butterfly Equity to buy Duckhorn Portfolio wines for nearly $2B

    The deal is part of a larger consolidation in the high-end wine category as brands adapt to harsh market conditions and changing consumer tastes.

    By Oct. 7, 2024
  • moet hennessy french bloom
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    Courtesy of Moët Hennessy
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    Moët Hennessy invests in nonalcoholic wine brand

    The luxury beverage maker’s partnership comes after it reported declining revenue in the sparkling wine category in the first half of 2024.

    By Oct. 7, 2024
  • Cultured meat company Meatable's founders in a field with cows
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    Courtesy of Meatable
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    Meatable preps for Series C funding round, hires new CTO

    The cultivated meat startup is eyeing its next phase of growth with an invite-only January open-house including investors, government officials and strategic consultants.

    By Elizabeth Flood • Oct. 7, 2024
  • A still frame from a video of manufacturing Kraft Heinz ketchup.
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    Courtesy of Kraft Heinz
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    Food companies have ‘bought the AI hype’ but some are unable to deliver: expert

    While optimism remains, the chief technology officer at IFS said manufacturers should hone in on what they need to solve with artificial intelligence.

    By Oct. 3, 2024
  • Boxes of Urban Legend doughnuts
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    Retrieved from Urban Legend.
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    Mondelēz’s VC arm buys minority stake in healthier doughnut brand

    The investment in UK-based Urban Legend expands the Oreo maker's presence in the better-for-you bakery space and builds on efforts to expand in cakes and pastries.

    By Oct. 1, 2024
  • Snacking brands made by PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division on a grocery store shelf in Washington, D.C.
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    Christopher Doering/Food Dive
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    PepsiCo to acquire tortilla-chip maker Siete Foods for $1.2B

    The acquisition expands on the New York company’s efforts to improve the healthiness of its snacking portfolio as consumers watch more closely what they eat.

    By Oct. 1, 2024
  • Jars of Rao's pasta sauce.
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    Christopher Doering/Food Dive
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    ‘Sauce is boss’: How Campbell Soup is turning Rao’s into its next $1B brand

    While the premium brand has branched out into pasta, frozen entrees, pizza and soup, executives said about 75% of sales will come from its fast-growing jarred sauce.

    By Oct. 1, 2024
  • anheuser busch
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    Courtesy of Anheuser-Busch
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    Anheuser-Busch invests $16M in facility to boost drinks ‘beyond beer’

    The beer giant aims to expand production of its canned cocktail brands.

    By Sept. 30, 2024
  • ritual
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    Courtesy of Diageo
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    Diageo acquires nonalcoholic spirits brand Ritual

    The company is expanding its presence in the zero-proof beverages market with a brand that sells alternatives to gin, whiskey and tequila.

    By Sept. 30, 2024
  • A stack of snack food packages from Mondelez International, including Wheat Thins, Oreos, Ritz and Sour Patch kids.
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    Courtesy of Mondelē​​z International
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    Mondelēz expands generative AI marketing bets with new platform

    Publicis Groupe and Accenture support the offering focused on faster, more efficient production of personalized text, images and video.

    By Peter Adams • Sept. 27, 2024
  • Goodles deluxe mac and cheese
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    Courtesy of Goodles
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    Goodles poaches CFO from Sovos Brands

    The better-for-you mac and cheese company is focused on leveraging Chris Hall’s experience to gain momentum in brand awareness.

    By Elizabeth Flood • Sept. 26, 2024
  • michelob ultra zero
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    Courtesy of Anheuser-Busch
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    Column

    The Weekly Sip: Anheuser-Busch unveils Michelob Ultra Zero | Boston Beer takes Truly to brunch

    In other beverage news, Nestlé’s Coffee mate is turning to a popular breakfast item for its latest creamer. 

    By Food Dive staff • Sept. 26, 2024
  • waterloo gin
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    Courtesy of Waterloo Gin Company
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    Billionaire Patrón founder buys Waterloo gin

    John Paul DeJoria wants to expand distribution of the 15-year-old botanical-infused spirits brand beyond its existing markets of Texas and Florida.

    By Sept. 25, 2024
  • lifeway kefir
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    Courtesy of Lifeway Foods, Inc.
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    Danone offers to buy kefir maker Lifeway Foods for $283M

    The proposal to buy the company for $25 a share comes as Lifeway’s leadership remains embroiled in a bitter family dispute and the manufacturer faces shareholder calls to sell itself.

    By Sept. 23, 2024
  • Mondelez International, cakes
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    Permission granted by Mondelez International
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    Mondelēz buys majority stake in fast-growing Chinese cake and pastry maker

    The snacking giant said the deal for Evirth “represents an important step” in expanding its presence in these categories, a core focus alongside chocolate and biscuits.

    By Sept. 23, 2024
  • miller high life light
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    Courtesy of Molson Coors
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    Column

    The Weekly Sip: Molson Coors revives light Miller High Life | Poppi, Post Malone partner on new flavor

    In other beverage news, Bigelow Tea is constructing a new facility in Kentucky to meet the growing demand for its products.

    By Food Dive staff • Sept. 19, 2024
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    Courtesy of General Mills
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    General Mills sees at-home consumption rebounding after price cuts

    CEO Jeff Harmening told Wall Street analysts that the cereal maker is benefiting from consumers who are eating more at home to save money.

    By Sept. 19, 2024