Cleveland Kitchen is preparing for a period of high growth, its founding family said, following a few years focused on consolidating manufacturing and expanding operations at its Ohio production facility.

The sauerkraut slinger recently raised $2.9 million that will support brand-building initiatives as its founders aim to capitalize on heightened interest in digestive wellness and fermented flavors.

Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous sat down with co-founders and brothers Drew and Mac Anderson to discuss the company’s plans for the new capital and how the brand’s messaging has evolved over the past decade. Here’s a taste of the interview…

The company was in a “good financial position,” according to Drew Anderson, but decided to pull in some new capital for upcoming marketing efforts where it intends to lean into the gut health benefits of fermented foods and speak to the growing interest among Gen Z and millennial consumers.

“It’s really cool for us because for the first time we’ve got an entire generation of young people that are looking at fermented foods as very cool and something that they actually know about and should be eating,” said Mac Anderson.

Promotions will also be a big part of the brand’s upcoming activations, said the same Anderson.

“Of course, nothing moves the needle in retail quite like a yellow tag… We’re leveraging Ibotta, Instacart, Walmart Connect, Target.com… as you think about fresh vegetables and the categories we play in, we tend to be on the higher end of ecommerce penetration, so between 30% and 40% for many of our items are getting picked up through dot-com.”

Insiders can access the full interview on Nosh.

In 48 hours, New York City becomes the epicenter of beverage innovation. BevNET Live NYC on June 11 + 12 will unite 725+ founders, retailers, investors, and operators for two high-impact days of ideas, insights, and connections.

🏁 Limited tickets remain — don’t wait to register.

👉 [Register Now]

NielsenIQ (NIQ) joined forces with nutrition intelligence platform FoodHealth Co. to integrate their respective datasets. 

🔍 That data partnership enables brands to spot and craft pitches around their products’ incrementality and the gaps it could fill in a retailer’s set on the basis of price, health and how those two factors affect consumer purchasing habits. 

🍎 The partnership marks the first time NIQ has offered “a comprehensive nutrient scoring system,” the data platform said in a release; FoodHealth Score, the tool created by FoodHealth Co., evaluates products based on nutrient density and ingredient quality.

🧪 These insights have already contributed to retailers reformulating private label products, and FoodHealth Co. CEO Sam Citro Alexander said these insights have the capacity to effect change around pricing strategies as well. 

Insiders can access the full story to understand how nutrition scores and pricing strategies could push the industry in a “healthier direction.”

Third-party certification organization Non-GMO Project Verified has raised its prices from $105 to $115, effective August 1. 

📈 The organization reported that Non-GMO Project Verified product sales are up 14.3% in the last two years, showing consumer demand for “Butterfly logo” products is rising.

🤓 The price hike will go towards supporting the business' operations, as well as funding its research and tracking tools to provide more education and outreach for participating brands.

☑️ Recently, the Non-GMO Project introduced a new pilot certification, Non-UPF Verified, targeting the growing outcry over ultraprocessed foods.

Go Deeper: Ultraprocessed Foods Gain Guardrails

Carlotta Mast has stepped away from Informa Markets after a 17-year tenure, per a LinkedIn post last week. 

She began her career at Informa in editorial leadership roles for Nutrition Business Journal and Natural Foods Merchandiser prior to becoming executive director of Content and Insights for New Hope Network and, later, SVP and market leader. 

Last year she transitioned to her most recent position of SVP of Global Community and Content Strategy for New Hope Network parent company Informa Markets, with responsibilities including developing new community-focused event models and implementing strategies to support customers in achieving sustainability goals.

Insiders can access all of the details on Mast’s departure.

UNFI shut down some of its systems following a cyberattack last week and has notified law enforcement of the breach.

• The natural and organic food distributor became aware of unauthorized access in its systems on Thursday and proactively took “certain systems offline,” disrupting its fulfillment capabilities, according to a statement.
• The nature and depth of the attack is unclear, and a timeline for a full return to normal operations was not provided.

💬 What they said: “We are assessing the unauthorized activity and working to restore our systems to safely bring them back online. As we work through this issue, our customers, suppliers, and associates are our highest priority.”

We’re giving plenty of heads-up, so best be prompt. On Saturday, June 14, Parmigiano Reggiano and Loblaw Companies will team up to crack their own Guinness World Record (set way back in 2014) for the Most Parmigiano Reggiano wheels cracked simultaneously at multiple venues. 

• 450 Loblaw stores across Canada have lined up to participate in the cracking of over 1,800 wheels all at once  (a.k.a. when the clocks strike noon).
• Attendees will be able to sample the freshly cracked wheels and learn more about why Parmigiano Reggiano is a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) certified product. 

Too Much Dairy To Digest? Leave the lactose behind and find out whether vegan cheese is in crisis or just finding its footing.

Don’t be salty if they ghost you. Today, dating app Tinder entered the CPG arena with a new limited-edition potato chip created to fuel summer flings known as RelationChips. 

• Hot girl summer is here, Tinder claims, offering a free week of Tinder Gold with every chip bag purchase. 
• Whether you are looking for a quick fling or “leaning into something serious… turn one swipe (or chip) into something meaningful,” the platform promotes.

Here’s a taste of the people and products moving around the industry to start off your week. 

🐐 GOAT Gummies, the vegan gummy snack brand developed by former NFL star Tom Brady, launched exclusively on Gopuff.  Available in three flavor mixes – Sweet Rush, Sour Burst and Tropic Fusion – the gummies are crafted in France and are free from artificial dyes, sweeteners and flavors.

🍪 Superfood cookie producer Love + Chew has landed its Banana Bread flavor in all 15 Costco locations across Colorado for a limited time, per a LinkedIn post by founder and CEO Lauren Chew. 

🛒 Ecommerce retailer Thrive Market tapped former Amazon exec Scott Lescher as its first COO. Most recently, Lescher led Amazon’s Surface Transportation Support and Fleet. 

🧑‍🍳  Jacqueline Grady Smith joined Chefs Life, the company founded by celebrity chef and restaurateur Brian Malarkey, as director of operations and finance. The move marks Grady Smith’s next chapter after shutting down the modern pantry staple brand she co-founded, not just co.

🧊 Chilled oat bar maker Mooski is rolling out to Roundy’s and Mariano’s, totaling approximately 138 stores by mid-June. 

Check out more People Moves news on Nosh.