Iya Foods founder leverages her Nigerian roots to tap into a new market

When CEO Toyin Kolawole noticed there wasn't adequate representation for African-inspired flavors on U.S. grocery shelves, she began pitching her products at trade shows and to buyers.

By Lillianna Byington • Aug. 24, 2020

'Just scraping by': Partake Foods' fight to fund its allergen-friendly cookie business

After emptying her savings to get the company off the ground, Denise Woodard finally landed big name investors, including Jay-Z's Marcy Venture Partners, and has substantially grown its retail presence. 

By Lillianna Byington • Aug. 24, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Food Dive

The food and beverage industry is changing rapidly and the actions companies take this year are likely to play a major role in defining their future. 

By Food Dive staff

Coca-Cola names company veteran to head its North American business

Alfredo Rivera, president of its Latin American group and a 23-year veteran of the beverage giant, replaces Jim Dinkins, who is retiring. 

By Christopher Doering • Aug. 24, 2020

Hostess and Flowers Foods reportedly interested in buying Otis Spunkmeyer owner

Aryzta, based in Switzerland, has been trying to turn things around for a few years. It recently hired investment firm Rothschild & Co. to review strategic options. 

By Jessi Devenyns • Aug. 24, 2020

A2 Milk's revenue jumps 91% in US

The New Zealand company attributed the increase in consumer demand to expanded distribution, new packaging and a national TV advertising campaign.

By Lillianna Byington • Aug. 21, 2020

Drizly raises $50M as e-commerce alcohol delivery surges

The company says it has grown more than 350% this year, while achieving sustained profitability during the pandemic.

By Christopher Doering • Aug. 21, 2020

Leftovers: Brach's cooks up Turkey Dinner Candy Corn; SuperPretzel brings arena treats to consumers' freezers

The sweet Thanksgiving in a bag has flavors representing six popular dishes at the traditional November feast, and Godiva thinks bigger by making its products small.

By Food Dive staff • Aug. 21, 2020

Glanbia acquires custom flavor designer Foodarom for $45M

The Canadian firm boasts a flavor library of more than 15,000 recipes with both liquid and powder applications. 

By Jessi Devenyns • Aug. 20, 2020

Lever VC raises $23M to invest in early-stage alternative protein companies

The new fund, founded by early backers of Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat, plans to complete between 20 and 25 investments that range from $200,000 to $1 million.

By Jessi Devenyns • Aug. 20, 2020

PepsiCo taps head of World Trade Organization for C-suite role

Roberto Azevedo will hold the newly created chief corporate affairs officer position, which brings the snack and beverage giant's public policy, government affairs and communications under one umbrella. 

By Christopher Doering • Aug. 20, 2020

Just is on track for profit and potential IPO, Reuters reports

CEO Josh Tetrick told the outlet that a bump in plant-based egg sales due to stay-at-home orders could turn a profit for the company next year.

By Megan Poinski • Aug. 20, 2020

Flavored-water maker Hint raises $25M in its latest funding round

The company looks to capitalize on the momentum it has established during the pandemic and use the funds to grow sales and distribution.

By Jessi Devenyns • Aug. 19, 2020

Food waste coalition launches with 14 manufacturers and retailers

The group, whose members include General Mills, Kellogg and Nestlé, targeted cutting global food loss per capita in half by 2025.

By Lillianna Byington • Aug. 19, 2020

Egg price gouging case against Cal-Maine dismissed in Texas

The egg producer's successful motion to dismiss the case cited both the state and U.S. Constitutions. It could be trouble for a similar lawsuit in New York.

By Megan Poinski • Aug. 19, 2020

From plant-based meats to pharmaceuticals, Dippin' Dots diversifies its use of cryogenics

While the company is best known for its flash-frozen ice cream, a push into new revenue streams has helped it financially as sales to theme parks and other venues dried up during the coronavirus.

By Christopher Doering • Aug. 18, 2020

Water brand Lemon Perfect raises $6.6M to expand

The funding, which came from traditional VC companies as well as a long lineup of NBA luminaries, will go toward growing distribution, increasing marketing and recruiting new talent.

By Jessi Devenyns • Aug. 18, 2020

PureCircle fined $575,000 for using prison labor for imported stevia

The sweetener producer denies wrongdoing, but the real question may be how this impacts Ingredion, which acquired a controlling stake in the company last month.

By Megan Poinski • Aug. 18, 2020

JBS to restart plans for US IPO

The world's top meat packer has tried to list its shares since at least 2015, but it has been dogged by scandals and corruption in Brazil, a meat recall and the coronavirus.

By Christopher Doering • Aug. 17, 2020

Diageo to pay up to $610M to buy Ryan Reynolds-backed Aviation Gin

The purchase of the fast-growing brand gives the liquor maker a bigger stake in premium alcohol and adds to its portfolio of brands with celebrity connections.

By Christopher Doering • Aug. 17, 2020

From visibility software to pallet picks: How Tillamook planned inventory as demand soared

The demand planning team credits software for its ability to adjust operations during the pandemic. Now the challenge is long range inventory planning, particularly for cheeses that require two years to age.

By Shefali Kapadia • Aug. 14, 2020

Kraft Heinz fills out US leadership team with 3 new executives

The hires, including a newly created chief growth officer position, bring outside talent to the company as the latest step in its turnaround plan.

By Jessi Devenyns • Aug. 14, 2020

Impossible Foods closes $200M funding round

The plant-based giant has now raised a total of $1.5 billion since its founding in 2011, with $700 million of that in the last six months.

By Megan Poinski • Aug. 14, 2020

Leftovers: Fat Tire toasts the environment; Flora spreads into the United States

New Belgium Brewing's beverage was certified as the nation's first nationally distributed carbon neutral beer last week, and Vive adds some spritz to fall with Pumpkin Spice Hard Seltzer.

By Food Dive staff • Aug. 14, 2020

Making food in a COVID world: A day in the life of a Kraft Heinz plant manager in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

The coronavirus has drastically changed manufacturing. Beth Mielke shares a typical day in this new normal at her factory that makes Philadelphia Cream Cheese.

By Beth Mielke • Aug. 13, 2020

How Gathered Foods got its new factory running during a pandemic

Designing and building the 42,500-square-foot plant that has been making Good Catch plant-based seafood since May was enough of a challenge, founder Chris Kerr said, but coronavirus made it much more complicated.

By Megan Poinski • Aug. 13, 2020