• 🌱 Atlantic Sea Farms Nets $3.8M
• 🍎 Jeni’s ‘Splendid’ Next Act
• 🚚 Realsy Doubles Down on Nontraditional Distro
• 🛗 The Latest Elevator Talk
• 👋 Bye, Bye Red Dye
• 🔎 Slime, Insects and Mold at Boar’s Head
• ✨ New Year, New Acquisitions

In order to learn anything, you’ve gotta ask some questions. 

And as it turns out, we have a lot we want to learn about 2025. The year may be less than a month old, but with a second Trump administration set to kick off in just days – bringing to office a candidate who made tariffs and grocery inflation major topics of his campaign – there’s no time to waste in speculation. Luckily, we know some people. 

To prepare for a year that’s already feeling like a decade, BevNET & Nosh reached out to individuals from across the industry to hear their thoughts on what’s making them optimistic about the future, what’s keeping them up at night, their general impressions for the new year and how they plan on tackling (or avoiding) some of the biggest questions on their plate at the start of 2025.

In this special cross-site series, we’ll highlight experts’ insight on questions including: 

• As CPG enters the Ozempic Era, how will it impact both brands deeply invested in the trend, and also those who aren’t?
• In the aftermath of Kroger-Albertsons’ failed merger, is grocery retail primed for more big-name consolidation, or do conditions now favor alternative growth routes?  
• How seriously should the industry take President Trump’s threat of tariffs, and how are they preparing for that possibility? 
• Is grocery inflation the new normal, or are there levers that can be pulled to provide some relief? 

Plus, we asked our network for a heat check on the hottest 🔥 (or coldest 🧊, depending on where you’re standing) trends for the year ahead in both food and beverage. 

Insiders, head over to BevNET and Nosh to get a full dose of insight for this new era.

Seaweed supplier and CPG outfit Atlantic Sea Farms has raised $3.8 million in equity financing to support its growth and innovation.

💰 The raise saw participation from True Wealth Ventures, Third Nature Investors and Builders Bridge, among others.

🔀 Alongside the funding news, the kelp company announced founder and CEO Briana Warner has transitioned to a strategic advisor role; board member and seafood industry exec Mikel Durham will assume the interim CEO role at the end of the month. 

💬 “This is an extraordinary model pioneering ocean farming, seed research and market demand development. It is an honor to support the team and shareholders through this transition,” said Durham.

Nosh’s Job Board is where food industry professionals go to find their next opportunity. Whether you’re a growing brand or an established company, this tailored platform helps you reach experienced candidates who are already invested in the food world. Post now and save $50 per listing for a limited time.

Ice cream maven Jeni Britton has co-founded a snack startup focused on fiber. Floura & Co. makes its retail debut today at Pop Up Grocer with the launch of its first product, Fruit Crush Bar.

🍉 The bars are crafted from overlooked plant parts like watermelon rinds and apple cores, plus a blend of white chia, pumpkin seeds and puffed quinoa. 

🤝 Floura’s founding partner is F&S Fresh Foods, a New Jersey-based produce processor that is providing resources to incubate the startup and transform fruit and vegetable trimmings into nutrient-dense ingredients.

Nosh Insiders can learn more about Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams founder’s new strategy.

Nut butter-filled date brand realsy is ramping up its nontraditional distribution efforts, recently scoring partnerships with Spotify North America HQ and pro hockey’s NY Rangers. 

⏪ Realsy debuted single-wrapped dates in 40-count boxes just over a year ago to provide office pantries with an affordable, healthier snack option. Now, the brand is available on corporate campuses like Gap (NYC) and Bank of America (Chicago). 

🗣️ What they said: “Historically, corporate campuses have only been able to give out unhealthy snacks because they’re the cheapest. With the launch of the single-wrapped date, we’re able to get under the price point they’re looking for. It’s been amazing for us for sales, but also for visibility and trial.” - Sophia Karbowski, co-founder of realsy 

Insiders can learn more about realsy’s nontraditional distribution strategy in the full story on Nosh.

Leaders from Mugsy Bakes, Kyle’s Organics, Consider This Nutrition and Mochi Love introduce their brands and provide a recap of recent news and updates. 

This week’s special co-host is Wade Yenny, the Sr. Director Brand Management & Business Development at Vdriven Consulting, who shared his thoughts, questions and feedback with the participants. He is joined by Ray Latif, the editor and producer of the Taste Radio podcast.

Check it out here.

The FDA’s decision to revoke the authorization of Red No. 3 might not be surprising to many industry stakeholders, but that doesn’t mean that everyone is celebrating the decision.

🤔 The National Confectioners Association released a tame reaction calling for a “science-based evaluation of food additives” and hinting that bans on previously FDA-approved additives have “been filled with myths pushed by unqualified voices.”

🎊  Consumer Reports put out a statement calling the move “a huge victory for your family’s health.”

🙏 Likewise, the Center for Science in the Public Interest, which filed a petition to ban the synthetic dye in 2022, said the FDA has finally addressed a “decades-long regulatory failure.” 

Learn more about how the industry has reacted on Nosh.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released records showing three Boar’s Head deli meat facilities were cited for unsanitary conditions dating back to 2019. The reports do not include the Jarratt, Va., facility that was shut down last year following a deadly listeria outbreak. 

🤮 Boar’s Head plants in New Castle, Ind., Forrest City, Ark., and Petersburg, Va., were cited for green mold and algae, “dripping condensation” landing on food and other surfaces, chipping/flaking paint and a puddle of “blood, debris, and trash.” 

💭 In an email to the Associated Press, Boar’s Head officials said the violations “do not meet our high standards” and that its remaining plants operate under normal USDA oversight. 

This week the team discusses the impact of the impending TikTok ban on CPG brands and breaks down a slew of acquisitions news across food and beverage. 

🍋 Starting with Spindrift, the team runs through why the PE-led acquisition is not too surprising while riffing on how the flavored sparkling water brand has helped develop the category.

🌺 Simple Mills has a new owner in Flowers Foods. Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous explains how the better-for-you snack brand fits into Flowers’ baked goods portfolio.

🤝 Why is Advent International adding condiments to its portfolio with the purchase of Sauer Brands from Falfurrias Capital Partners? You’ll have to tune in to find out. 

⚡ And later, hangover remedies converge with clean energy drinks as Safety Shot projects growth by adding yerba mate drink brand Yerbae into its mix.

Click here to listen to this week’s episode.

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