The only way out is to communicate through the uncertainty

Now is the time to get your message out to employees and stakeholders, even though so much is unknown. Annelle Whyte of K&T has advice on the best way to get it done.

By Annelle Whyte • May 28, 2020

Sabra's new sesame seed variety will be grown in the US

The hummus giant has worked with seed breeder Equinom to create a better variety of the ingredient, which does not need to be imported.

By Jessi Devenyns • May 28, 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

IFT20 organizers reveal details on virtual conference and expo

Several platforms will provide an expo hall, educational components and social events for the July 12-15 conference that moved online because of the pandemic.

By Megan Poinski • May 28, 2020

Marfrig and ADM create venture to sell plant-based products

The partnership called PlantPlus Foods will develop offerings for North and South American markets. It builds on an earlier agreement to offer faux meat items in Brazil.

By Christopher Doering • May 28, 2020

Why the founder of Uncle Matt's Organic bought the company back from Dean Foods

After selling the beverage brand in 2017, Matt McLean repurchased his family business for about $7.25 million when the milk giant went bankrupt. 

By Lillianna Byington • May 27, 2020

McCain Foods halts US expansion plans as coronavirus cuts foodservice demand

The potato giant, which is pausing its $300 million plan to add more space to its Othello, Washington facility, could revisit the project once conditions improve. 

By Lillianna Byington • May 27, 2020

Plant-based cheese maker Good Planet raises $12M in funding

The investment will be used to grow the company's product development, sales and marketing.

By Christopher Doering • May 27, 2020

Dole enters partnership to protect bananas from black Sigatoka disease

The fruit company and boron discovery platform Boragen are developing a treatment against the fungal pathogen. 

By Lillianna Byington • May 26, 2020

Apeel Sciences raises $250M in latest funding round

The company said the financing, which gives it a valuation of $1 billion, will allow it to further invest in curtailing food waste and extending the shelf life of products.

By Christopher Doering • May 26, 2020

Consumers and manufacturers rethink DTC's promise as pandemic alters shopping habits

PepsiCo, Mondelez and Unilever are among the companies that have deployed direct-to-consumer shipping, which offers convenience for shoppers but complicated logistics. 

By Christopher Doering • May 26, 2020

Field Roast launches Plant-Based Nuggets

The faux chicken product is the first of its kind from the 23-year-old brand known for its sausages and cheeses.

By Megan Poinski • May 22, 2020

A fatty ingredient hidden in butter could be the secret to better health

Researchers at Seraphina Therapeutics found the first essential fatty acid in 90 years, known as C15:0, to demonstrate broad health benefits in studies.

By Christopher Doering • May 21, 2020

Cubiq Foods gets $5.5M for development of healthy fats

The Spanish company is making cell-based fats as well as using technology to add nutrients and improve those that naturally occur.

By Megan Poinski • May 21, 2020

Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat highlight cost and safety as they race to catch conventional meat

With prices of the animal-based staple heading upwards and potential shortages looming, the two plant-based companies have their eyes on grabbing more market share.

By Megan Poinski • May 21, 2020

Consumers place a high level of trust in food during pandemic, survey says

The International Food Information Council found that most are confident in food safety, as they buy more packaged food and believe manufacturers will continue to meet their needs.

By Megan Poinski • May 21, 2020

DFA hit with antitrust lawsuit tied to Dean Foods acquisition

Food Lion and the Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association are challenging the $433 million deal they argue will wipe out any remaining competition. 

By Lillianna Byington • May 20, 2020

Nestlé's new Life Cuisine brand caters to changing definition of healthy eating

The Swiss food giant also is refreshing more than half of its Lean Cuisine portfolio with a focus on bowls and recipes of 400 calories and 10 grams of fat or less.

By Christopher Doering • May 20, 2020

DOJ clears pork industry's plan to collaborate on euthanizing hogs

As processing plants have shuttered and reduced production during the pandemic, farmers have nowhere to send their market-weight animals.

By Lillianna Byington • May 19, 2020

Orange juice sales get sweeter as consumers look for immunity boost

Retail sales in the U.S. increased 46% to 44 million gallons in the four weeks ending April 11, and futures trading jumped 27%.

By Jessi Devenyns • May 19, 2020

Once thriving craft beer industry dealt crippling blow by coronavirus

With brewpubs and taprooms shuttered and consumers less willing to experiment, thousands of brewers could go out of business or experience major changes to their operations.

By Christopher Doering • May 19, 2020

Pandemic will hinder meat production for months, JBS US head warns

CEO Andre Nogueira told The Wall Street Journal while all items won't be in the grocery store, he's not concerned about a shortage of protein even with plants closed and fewer workers.

By Lillianna Byington • May 18, 2020

Just partners with Post Holdings for massive foodservice expansion

Plant-based Just Egg will be made and distributed by the cereal and frozen products company's Michael Foods division starting this fall.

By Christopher Doering and Megan Poinski • May 18, 2020

Snack bar sales slip during quarantine but long-term growth unaffected

A report by Bernstein predicted the nutritional bar category will return to growth amid "mega dietary trends such as wholesome/natural and high protein/low carb." Atkins and Quest are best positioned to benefit. 

By Jessi Devenyns • May 18, 2020

COVID-19: The alcohol industry needs to think creatively

Executives should respond to the immediate emergency, then renew and scale operations to help drive the return to growth once the peak of the crisis has passed, writes Accenture's Oliver Wright. 

By Oliver Wright • May 15, 2020

IFF outlines merger plans with DuPont division

The $26.2 billion deal, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2021, will create a new company with the purpose of applying science and creativity for a better world, executives said.

By Megan Poinski • May 14, 2020