Scaling any startup is complex, but there’s an added level of complexity when the company requires a wide array of inputs and produces all of those ingredients themselves.

That is the situation that four-year-old, refrigerated snack pack brand Sunnie has been navigating over the past year as it worked to move beyond its shared commercial kitchen space and ramp up capacity via a web of co-manufacterers. 

However, co-founders Katy Tucker and Lissette Howard saw the complexity, cost and logistics of that network as a problem the brand could mitigate, and as it entered a significant period of growth, it had also worked to simplify and centralize that web by shifting all manufacturing to one facility in the Midwest. 

Nosh Insiders can access the full story to learn how the brand navigated the shift, a reversion and where it plans to look next for growth.

🏭 Agriculture and food processing company Richardson International Limited has announced the expansion of its South Sioux City, Neb., oat mill and processing plant. The project will more than double the site’s granola packaging capabilities. 

🥗 Taylor Farms, a North American producer of salads and fresh foods, has invested an undisclosed amount in Hessing, a Netherlands-based fruit and vegetable processor. In a statement, Taylor Farms CEO Bruce Taylor said the partnership will help both companies “accelerate the development of fresh food innovations and capitalize on new opportunities in Europe.” 

🍝 Platinum Equity has acquired a majority stake in pasta condiment and vegetable preserve maker F.lli Polli S.p.A. The Polli family retained a minority stake in the business together with CEO Marco Fraccaroli, who will continue to lead the company. 

🍅 “Value-added” salad kit producer Fresh Express has acquired McEntire Produce Inc., a fresh-cut processor, repacker, and wholesaler supplying the foodservice industry. According to the announcement, the companies’ shared goal is to reduce total food miles and carbon emissions while lowering route-to-market costs for McEntire products.

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