The quiet dealmaker: How Post Holdings’ CEO went from selling men’s clothing to closing billion-dollar deals

Rob Vitale’s penchant for M&A and reputation as a strategic thinker has proven to be a shrewd fit for a 128-year-old business once looking to define its future. Nearly a decade in, he’s not done yet.

By Christopher Doering , Shaun Lucas • Oct. 23, 2023

Leftovers: Frito-Lay twists into Cheetos Pretzels | Campbell’s celebrates Thanksgiving with Chunky soup

The PepsiCo-owned brand is bringing its cheesiness to the growing snack category after success with popcorn, and Goldfish taps a popular holiday movie character for its latest grahams variety.

By Food Dive staff • Oct. 20, 2023

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

How General Mills refreshed its fruit snack brands to fend off disruptors

Splashier assets and branding experiments seek to help products like Gushers stand out in the social media age, execs said at Advertising Week.

By Peter Adams • Oct. 20, 2023

Thor’s Skyr takes on Chobani, Danone with protein-packed yogurt

The Iceland-based company believes it has what it takes to rival the biggest dairy companies with its lactose-free, zero added sugar products.

By Chris Casey • Oct. 20, 2023

Ferrara to purchase candy maker Jelly Belly for undisclosed amount

The deal would combine the jelly bean manufacturer with Ferrara’s portfolio of sweets such as Laffy Taffy, Red Hots and Brach’s.

By Christopher Doering • Oct. 19, 2023

How Gen Z’s ‘promiscuous’ relationship to beverages is changing the industry

As alcohol moderation rises, a desire for drinks to fit a multitude of occasions drive the generation’s purchases, according to experts.

By Chris Casey • Oct. 18, 2023

General Mills and Walmart team up to accelerate regenerative agriculture

The companies look to advance sustainable farming practices on 600,000 acres of land – the amount the CPG giant relies on to source key ingredients for products sold at the retailer's stores. 

By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 18, 2023

Tyson Foods partners with insect protein startup to develop ingredient facility

The meat giant will work with Protix to construct a facility dedicated to insect protein items in the U.S., for use in pet food, aquaculture and livestock production.

By Chris Casey • Oct. 18, 2023

Sugar shortage isn’t causing spike in Halloween candy prices: Wells Fargo analyst

Despite a constrained global supply of the crop, experts don't believe it will affect sweets makers in the U.S. ahead of the holidays.

By Chris Casey • Oct. 17, 2023

Back to Basics: How to operate a successful private label brand

Proprietary items work best if retailers differentiate them through either cost or innovation and are thoughtful about choosing categories, experts say.

By Amanda Baltazar • Oct. 17, 2023

Coca-Cola Company and Pernod Ricard partner on Absolut Vodka with Sprite

The pre-mixed cocktail will be available in regular and Zero Sugar, with the initial launch planned for select European countries in early 2024.

By Christopher Doering • Oct. 17, 2023

The slow road to retail: How consumers are dictating cultivated meat’s strategy

Consumer acceptance is a major challenge facing the space, and a big reason why Upside Foods and Eat Just are only available at exclusive restaurants.

By Elizabeth Flood • Oct. 16, 2023

Ocean Spray targets hiring in tech transformation push

The project seeks to enable IT across the business, according to the beverage maker’s Chief Digital and Technology Officer.

By Lindsey Wilkinson • Oct. 13, 2023

Meat snack maker fined $140K, faced shipping restrictions for child labor violations

The U.S. Department of Labor is ramping up enforcement activity and putting employers "on notice" as it reports a significant rise in the number of children illegally working at facilities.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 13, 2023

Turkey prices could fall as Thanksgiving nears, but bird flu reemergence threatens flocks

Consumers will likely see lower prices for the holiday staple compared to last fall, according to a report, but the unpredictable avian flu remains a threat.

By Chris Casey • Oct. 11, 2023

Utz to close Pennsylvania factory

The closure is part of broader cost cutting moves across the snack maker’s network, which includes the sale of four sites.

By Joelle Anselmo • Oct. 11, 2023

Guardians of the franchise: Safeguarding success in the competitive landscape

Since launching a new product offers only one chance at success, optimizing it to its fullest potential becomes crucial.

By Katie Fellows • Oct. 11, 2023

Cereal giant Post Holdings moves deeper into pet food with $235M acquisition

The purchase of Perfection Pet Foods gives the CPG giant, which entered the animal category for the first time in April, exposure to private-label and co-manufactured products.

By Christopher Doering • Oct. 10, 2023

Coca-Cola to sharply cut distribution of Aha sparkling water as sales decline

The company told Food Dive it sees growth potential in the category with its premium brand Topo Chico.

By Chris Casey • Oct. 9, 2023

Missouri pressures Tyson to sell 2 poultry plants set for closure

The meatpacker received major backlash from local and federal officials, who said factory closures will have “devastating consequences.”

By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 6, 2023

Leftovers: Kraft Heinz, Milk Bar burst into bagel bombs | Skittles get miniature with Littles

The Philadelphia cream cheese brand and the bakery are debuting a red velvet treat, while Whipnotic swirls up two unique whipped cream flavors.

By Food Dive staff • Oct. 6, 2023

Top food and beverage industry events in 2024

The new year will bring a busy conference and convention season. Food Dive is highlighting 11 to watch.

By Elizabeth Flood • Oct. 6, 2023

Conagra Brands CEO sees early signs of improvement in consumer buying habits

While the Slim Jim maker forecast a more upbeat second half in its fiscal year, Sean Connolly told Wall Street analysts that a deeper recovery will take time. 

By Christopher Doering • Oct. 6, 2023

Vegan: The product label which shall not be named

The term "plant-based" has become a more inclusive and approachable term when it comes to marketing vegan food. But are times changing?

By Paul Shapiro • Oct. 5, 2023

US pea protein producers undercut by cheap Chinese imports

Products made with the ingredient are growing in popularity, but domestic manufacturers are in “grave peril,” producer Puris claims.

By Elizabeth Flood • Oct. 5, 2023