6 trends that will shape the food and beverage industry in 2020

What will this new year bring? We see the launch of meat substitutes that go beyond the burger, the elevation of alternative dairy products and smaller M&A deals. 

By Lillianna Byington , Megan Poinski , Christopher Doering • Jan. 8, 2020

Tofurky launches new burger in crowded plant-based space

The non-GMO and vegan patty is a combination of soy protein, vegetable protein and wheat gluten. It will be available at Target this month. 

By Lillianna Byington • Jan. 8, 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

Plant-based beverage maker OWYN raises $7.5M to expand, innovate

The funding also will be used to increase the company's sales and e-commerce teams as well as broaden its retail footprint in places such as Target and Walmart.

By Jessi Devenyns • Jan. 8, 2020

Coca-Cola acquires full ownership of dairy brand Fairlife

The soda giant previously owned a 42.5% minority stake and decided to buy​ the rest of the ultra-filtered dairy business as part of its push to become a more diversified beverage company.

By Lillianna Byington • Jan. 7, 2020

Molson Coors to close brewery, cut 470 jobs

The Irwindale, California facility will cease operations by September, but the beer giant is offering Pabst the opportunity to buy it for $150 million.

By Megan Poinski • Jan. 7, 2020

Impossible Pork launches in foodservice

The product will be available in the U.S., Hong Kong and Singapore this fall and is appearing on a New York menu Thursday.

By Christopher Doering • Updated Sept. 22, 2021

Borden files for bankruptcy

The dairy processor is the second major company to take this step in recent months. It plans to use Chapter 11 to improve its debt load, which is strained by rising costs and industry challenges.

By Christopher Doering • Jan. 6, 2020

Kisses for breakfast? General Mills partners with Hershey on new cereals

The confectioner's iconic chocolate drops and fruity Jolly Rancher candies will be appearing in spoonable forms this year.

By Jessi Devenyns • Jan. 3, 2020

Leftovers: Cinnabon swirls into Breyers ice cream; Stuffed Puffs have consumers wanting s'more

Unilever partners with the decadent breakfast chain to heat up declining sales in frozen desserts, and King Arthur Flour brings new baking trends around the table.

By Food Dive staff • Jan. 3, 2020

Duncan Hines introducing keto-friendly cake mix

The refresh of the Conagra brand will give those participating in the low carb, high fat eating regimen a chance to indulge.

By Jessi Devenyns • Jan. 2, 2020

Where does cannabis packaging design fit as the industry evolves?

Companies that participate in the nascent space need to understand changing state regulations and trends impacting product design, Tom Newmaster with FORCEpkg said.

By Tom Newmaster • Jan. 2, 2020

Mondelez hires exec with a track record of transformation to head M&A and SnackFutures

Minsok Pak was previously executive vice president and chief strategy and innovation officer at Target and senior vice president of channel development at the Lego Group.

By Jessi Devenyns • Dec. 23, 2019

Israeli startup Sufresca gets $500K to develop edible produce packaging

The company received the money from agri-foodtech venture capital fund Rimonim Agro to improve coatings that will cut down on waste and spoilage.

By Cathy Siegner • Dec. 20, 2019

Frito-Lay publishes its top snack trends for 2020

The division of PepsiCo's R&D team is predicting spice, citrus, global influence, unexpected combinations and health benefits will drive product development.

By Jessi Devenyns • Dec. 20, 2019

Post and TreeHouse Foods terminate cereal deal

The private label food company said it will continue to try to sell the breakfast staple business.

By Christopher Doering • Updated Jan. 13, 2020

Shifting food trends fuel M&A activity among ingredients companies

IFF's $26.2 billion purchase of DuPont's nutrition unit underscores the push to carve out a dominant position in healthier products while increasing the efficiency of R&D operations.

By Christopher Doering • Dec. 19, 2019

Cargill and Renmatix collaborate to develop upcycled ingredients

A proprietary water-based technology will be used on the meat company's preferred feedstocks to develop alternatives for emulsifiers and hydrocolloids.

By Cathy Siegner • Dec. 19, 2019

Huel brings bars that are 'nutritionally complete' to the US

The meal replacement company's new product contains 27 essential vitamins and minerals while also being high protein, gluten free and plant based. 

By Jessi Devenyns • Dec. 19, 2019

Chicken producer Shenandoah Valley Organic raises $15M to expand

CEO Corwin Heatwole said the company will use the new funds to modernize facilities and expand marketing outreach for its Farmer Focus brand.

By Cathy Siegner • Dec. 19, 2019

Can Coca-Cola escape the shadow of deceptive marketing campaigns in its past?

A paper published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found the company targeted teens and moms earlier in the decade — before committing to diversify its portfolio and reduce sugar intake.

By Lillianna Byington • Dec. 19, 2019

Pete and Gerry's Organics debuts reusable egg cartons

About 500 of the sturdy containers have been purchased at Co-Op Food Stores in New Hampshire and Vermont, and the company plans to expand the program next year.

By Jessi Devenyns • Dec. 18, 2019

Daring to disrupt: UK plant-based chicken company comes to US with $10M investment

The non-GMO, five-ingredient product will be at retailers, restaurants and online in February through its partnership with Rastelli Foods Group.

By Cathy Siegner • Dec. 18, 2019

Coca-Cola's Insiders Club provides a taste of new flavors — before they hit shelves

The new subscription service, which will send 1,000 consumers a monthly shipment of new beverages — including Aha sparkling water and Coke Energy — sold out in three hours.

By Lillianna Byington • Dec. 17, 2019

Coke reinstates global CMO role in bid to unify marketing, operations

The role was scrapped just two years ago, with duties shifting to Chief Growth Officer Francisco Crespo, who will retire next year.

By Peter Adams • Dec. 16, 2019

Danone Waters accelerates push toward carbon neutrality

Four of the company's water brands, including Evian, have committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2030.

By Jessi Devenyns • Dec. 16, 2019