Plant-based ice cream Eclipse Foods launches into retail amid pandemic

CEO Aylon Steinhart called the company the "Beyond Meat of dairy products" and talked about shifting gears to selling direct-to-consumer. 

By Lillianna Byington • Aug. 4, 2020

With more retail expansions, plant-based meat gets closer to ubiquity

Shoppers at Publix, Walmart and Trader Joe's can now buy Impossible Burgers, while Beyond Meat breaks into Sam's Club and BJ's Warehouse.

By Megan Poinski • Aug. 4, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Mergers and acquisitions

Declining sales and slowing consumption have more companies divesting brands, opening the door for smaller players and private equity firms to expand their portfolios.  

By Food Dive staff

Tyson Foods names Dean Banks as next CEO

Banks, a former tech executive, will lead the company as it turns to more automation amid the pandemic. Noel White will remain in a new role as executive vice chairman.

By Lillianna Byington • Aug. 3, 2020

Kraft Heinz, Kellogg to rev up marketing substantially in H2 as pandemic windfall continues

To retain the interest of new customers, Kraft Heinz will increase its working media dollars by 40% in H2, while Kellogg is pursuing a similar playbook.

By Peter Adams • Aug. 3, 2020

E-commerce insights platform MikMak raises $10M to expand

The platform, used by companies including Hershey and the J.M. Smucker Co., saw 50% revenue growth as demand for online shopping skyrocketed during the pandemic.

By Lillianna Byington • Aug. 3, 2020

Vital Farms stock climbs 60% after IPO

CEO Russell Diez-Canseco said the pasture-raised eggs company can do its job best if it's answering to the public and independent of funders.

By Megan Poinski • Aug. 3, 2020

Topo Chico Hard Seltzer will be manufactured, marketed and distributed by Molson Coors

The agreement, similar to one signed with Yuengling earlier this month, gives the company known for beer a third hard seltzer brand in its portfolio.

By Jessi Devenyns • Updated Sept. 29, 2020

Coca-Cola to debut coffee-flavored cola in the US

The beverage, which is already available in international markets, will launch on the company's subscription service this year before hitting shelves across the country in January.

By Lillianna Byington • July 31, 2020

Tyson Foods to start testing its workers for coronavirus weekly

The company also created a chief medical officer position and plans to add nearly 200 nurses and administrative support personnel to help the health services team. 

By Lillianna Byington • July 31, 2020

Leftovers: America runs on Dunkin' cereal; French's and Oskar Blues brew mustard beer

Post's new breakfast offerings are inspired by the restaurant's popular coffee drinks, and PBR gets into the summer with hard peach iced tea.

By Food Dive staff • July 31, 2020

How 3 CEOs pivoted their companies in the pandemic

Leaders of Flowers Foods, Bush Brothers & Company and Idahoan discussed changes they have made and challenges they faced in a webinar.

By Megan Poinski • July 30, 2020

Better Meat Co. raises $8.1M in funding

The plant-based protein ingredients startup has already worked with Perdue on its Chicken Plus line and looks to expand its partnerships to get more blended meat products to market. 

By Jessi Devenyns • July 29, 2020

USDA faces lawsuit and legislation over increased line speeds at meat plants

Sen. Cory Booker introduced the Safe Line Speeds in COVID-19 Act the same day that the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union filed a federal complaint on the same issue. 

By Lillianna Byington • July 29, 2020

Pillsbury reformulates cookie dough to be safely eaten raw

By the end of the summer, all of General Mills' refrigerated products on grocery shelves will be made with heat-treated flour and pasteurized eggs.

By Megan Poinski • July 29, 2020

Unilever sells Lipton, other teas to private-equity firm for $5B

The sale to CVC Capital Partners includes 34 brands that generated more than $2 billion in sales in 2020. It will allow the CPG giant to focus on higher-growth businesses.

By Christopher Doering • Updated Nov. 19, 2021

Geltor raises $93.1M to grow animal-free ingredients platform

African swine fever and problematic supply chains could drive interest in their cell-based collagen, the company said.

By Jessi Devenyns • July 28, 2020

$1.1B invested in alternative protein in 2020 so far doubles 2019 totals, report shows

Unilever and Tesco rank as the most advanced in their strategies toward alternative protein in FAIRR's study, while Costco, Kraft Heinz and Amazon are at the bottom.

By Megan Poinski • July 28, 2020

How food innovation has continued during the pandemic

Coronavirus has shifted the reasons, processes and funds for new ideas and products, but manufacturers, funders and experts agree: Stopping the process is not an option.

By Megan Poinski • July 27, 2020

Building brand loyalty to last beyond the pandemic

From being authentic to doing things that help the greater good, Louise Pollock at Pollock Communications says companies need to find ways to stay relevant with consumers during these unprecedented times.

By Louise Pollock • July 27, 2020

Gathered Foods reels in Christine Mei as CEO

The new leader of the company that produces plant-based seafood brand Good Catch has more than 30 years of experience in the CPG industry. Co-founder Chris Kerr will become executive chair. 

By Jessi Devenyns • July 24, 2020

Sustainability-marketed products saw sales boost amid pandemic, report says

As consumers started pantry stocking, many still took the time to consider manufacturers' environmental values, according to IRI and the NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business. 

By Lillianna Byington • July 24, 2020

Leftovers: Jeni's brings state fair-inspired flavors to ice cream; Quokka Brew makes jitter-free coffee

The frozen dessert maker will release a new midway-inspired flavor every Thursday this summer, and Heaven's Lettuce launches chips to convince consumers "happiness is hemp."

By Food Dive staff • July 24, 2020

USDA suggests changes to beef market as investigation continues

The report said the price-fixing probe is ongoing, but offered ideas on how the industry could increase transparency and create opportunities for smaller producers.

By Lillianna Byington • July 23, 2020

Pork producers face $5B in losses with surplus of hogs

The closure of plants because of the coronavirus has slowed meat processing. The National Pork Producers Council is calling on Congress to pass financial aid for farmers.

By Lillianna Byington • July 22, 2020

How a Russian company will bring cell-based chicken to KFC

3D Bioprinting Solutions will use a high-tech printer to make nuggets out of a hybrid of cell and plant-based materials for the chain in Russia. It plans to create similar relationships to develop products in the U.S. 

By Megan Poinski • July 22, 2020