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With their nutrient density and versatility, almonds have a place in a variety of culinary trends. They have the qualities consumers are looking for. Discover how the 14 forms of almonds can enhance your creations. Learn more

There is no linear path to incremental growth, but sometimes unforeseen challenges can become new opportunities.

Dehydrated fruit and veggie maker BranchOut Food was not planning to operate its own 50,000 sq. ft. production facility in Peru just a few years ago. Now, as its four production lines use its proprietary GentleDry technology to pump out private label and branded products, as well as ingredients, it seems vertical integration has put the business on its best path forward.

After the company went public in the first half of 2023, it was soon notified that the manufacturing equipment it had installed in a partner’s facility would not be available – that the co-man had shuttered, leaving the plant (and its contents) to creditors.

The unforeseen hurdle pushed BranchOut to vertically integrate much sooner than it had ever intended, said founder and CEO Eric Healy. “We [knew] that we have to build our own facility or we are done.”

🎁 Gift Link! Read the full story on BevNET by clicking here – even if you’re not yet an Insider.

Netflix-inspired cookies. Coffee-flavored marshmallows. This week’s new product roundup is pretty sweet. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s inside: 

🍪 Chips Ahoy! is promoting Season Five of Netflix’s hit series “Stranger Things” with a limited-edition cookie inspired by “The Upside Down” featuring a chocolatey base, fudge chips and strawberry-flavored filling. 

☕ XO Marshmallow teamed up with Seattle’s Best to create its first ever coffee-inspired variety pack of marshmallows. The collection includes four flavors: Light Roast, Medium Roast, Dark Roast and S’mores. 

🍗 Frozen snack maker FarmRich unveiled three new products: Buffalo Style Chicken Rollups (crafted with Frank’s RedHot sauce), Italian Sausage Mozzarella Cheese Sticks and Chocolate Brownie Bites. 

🆓 Check out the full gallery on Nosh. 

Here’s a look at the leading headlines from the food industry this week…

1. Tia Lupita Acquired By Jumex Distributor Vilore Foods
2. Hero Steps Into the Bagel Void – And Enters Pasta Category
3. GoodPop, LesserEvil, Interact Intro Good Food Collective
4. Oatly Reboots Growth Strategy as North America Revenue Slides; Considers China Business Carve-Out
5. Have We Reached Peak Protein Pasta? More Brands Muscle Into Category

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How did GNGR Labs’ organic, cold-pressed wellness shots become a staple in New York City bodegas and land nationwide distribution at Wegmans? Founder Namik Soltan shares a story powered by purpose, product and unrelenting persistence. The hosts also unpack PepsiCo’s unexpected – and gutsy – announcement and explore how excellence fueled Tia Lupita’s acquisition.

Tune into the episode here. Also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.