Most Americans (78%) are concerned about the economy, and recent sentiments – from consumer surveys to the words of food industry CEOs – signal the same thing: consumers are cooking more at home. 

But an increase in at-home eating occasions doesn’t necessarily mean CPG sales are about to surge, writes assistant managing editor (newsletters), Adrianne DeLuca. Brands slinging frozen meals and meal prep items, along with budget-friendly pantry staples, are set to be the biggest winners if current consumer trends are any indication, per a new U.S. Economics Sentiments survey from contextual advertising platform Chicory. 

Nearly half of the respondents (46%) said they are cooking and eating at home more, and 34% of Gen Z shoppers (also the most price-sensitive demographic) said they’ve cut back on how much they spend on groceries due to recent economic uncertainty.

Snacks, as well as premium and specialty products like proteins (think: beef and chicken versus “the more affordable” beans and tofu), dairy and pantry staples are the first to go from weekly shopping lists, the survey says. These items are often subbed out for store brands or higher-value products (i.e.: smaller pack sizes at a lower price).

That latter aspect has become an integral way CPGs can hedge against declines, the report notes.

Brands like frozen food maker Laoban have leaned into price-pack architecture as they expand into conventional and mass channels, focusing on smaller offers so that on-shelf pricing is lower to reduce perceived barriers to purchase, CEO Patrick Coyne recently told Nosh. 

The big guys are doing it, too. This week, Campbell’s said it is leaning heavily on price-pack architecture “as a tool for reinvigorating consumer demand” via multi-pack offerings as well as simply ensuring it has the right starting price point across markets. Those efforts will primarily roll out across its snack segment, which posted sales declines across its leading brands including Late July, Goldfish, Snyder’s of Hanover pretzels and others. 

Insiders can access the full story for a complete dive into the data and current market dynamics.

Bean-based, upcycled snack brand Remix Snacks has been acquired by AM Ingredients (2021), which has served as the brand’s co-packer for the past four years. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

According to co-founder and registered dietician Isabelle Lam, AM Ingredients (2021) shares Remix’s “passion for nutritious food and sustainability.” Lam will be staying on for the next year to support the transition. 

Insiders can learn more in the full story on Nosh.

Post Holdings entered into a definitive agreement to acquire branded and private label food manufacturer 8th Avenue Food & Provisions Inc. for roughly $880 million, including the assumption of $111 million in finance leases. 

Commerce agency Harvest Group is strengthening its club channel expertise with the acquisition of Next Step Club Solutions, a Costco-focused brokerage firm. The company said the acquisition means its clients will benefit from stronger coverage across all Costco regions and expertise in scaling from regional rotation to national distribution.

Insiders can access more details on the deal at Nosh.

Under a proposed Texas bill, food and beverage products like M&M’s and Mountain Dew could be required to carry new warning labels – “not recommended for human consumption”  – if they contain certain ingredients on state legislators’ watchlist.

⏩ Senate Bill 25 would require U.S. food manufacturers, starting in 2027, to mark products sold in the Lone Star State with warning labels to call out the products contains ingredients like bleached flour and synthetic food dyes, which it says other countries have banned, reported Fortune. 

👀 Products that would potentially be impacted include General Mills’ Pillsbury Toaster Strudel (bleached flour), PepsiCo’s aforementioned Mountain Dew and Doritos (artificial dyes) and Mars, Inc.’s Skittles and M&M’s (artificial dyes). 

Cultivated seafood producer Wildtype has received approval to sell its salmon into U.S. restaurants, according to the Association for Meat, Poultry and Seafood Innovation (AMPS). 

• The cultivated salmon will debut on the menu at Kann in Portland, Ore., with plans to expand to four restaurants across the country this year.
• Wildtype is the fourth cultivated-protein company to complete the U.S. pre-market scientific and safety consultation and third to gain full approval to sell.

 💬 “Wildtype’s achievement is a watershed moment for domestic seafood production and for the cultivated protein industry overall,” said AMPS executive director Dr. Suzi Gerber.

Go Deeper: CPG Week: Cultivated Meat’s Harsh Truth

It’s Hump Day! Here’s a taste of the new drops and activations from the first half of the week. 

🥣 Purely Elizabeth debuted Protein Oatmeal, with 10 grams of plant-based protein per serving, made with a blend of oats, quinoa and buckwheat.

💪 RXBAR also doubled down on protein with two new bars featuring 18 grams apiece and crafted with six ingredients including pea protein and organic agave nectar. Flavors include Strawberry Peanut Butter and Vanilla Peanut Butter.

⛰️ Kodiak expanded its portfolio of protein-packed, whole-grain products with the additions of frozen breakfast sandwiches (Sausage and Cheddar and Bacon and Colby Jack) and trail bars (Cranberry Chocolate Chip and Chocolate Almond).

🍽️ Good Culture is opening a pop-up in New York, featuring tastings inspired by viral cottage cheese recipes, plus appearances by top culinary creators.

☀️ Little Sesame is kicking off the Summer of Hummus Road Trip, visiting more than 20 markets across the country in an electric Volkswagen van and sharing 100,000 hummus samples from June through August.

🆓 Check out more recent new product news on Nosh.