• 🐄 A2 Dairy Is Growing. Can Supply Keep Up?
• 🛒 Whole Foods CEO To Lead Amazon Grocery
• ↗️ Distribution Wins From Around The Industry
• 🙋‍♂️ Philly Whole Foods Wins Union Bid
• ✅ General Mills Closes Yogurt Business Sale

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Nerds Gummy Clusters rapidly became one of America’s most popular candies, building a cultlike following since its launch several years ago – and generating well north of a half-billion dollars in sales last year. 

Can a California-based startup gobble up some of that market share with a better-for-you twist on the multi-textured treat? 

After cementing its status around lower-sugar gummy worms and ‘90s gross-out culture-inspired branding, Rotten is launching Gummy Cruncheez, a gummy ring covered in tart candy pieces. Available in Original and Sour varieties, “cruncheez” flavors range from Loopy Lime and Scary Cherry to Messy Mandarin and Barfin’ Blue Raz, among others. 

“I felt there was a gap in the market for a product that delivered on lower sugar but still felt and looked like candy and delivered on the weird and wacky indulgence that candy always gave me,” said founder and CEO Michael Fisher. 

With the introduction of Gummy Cruncheez, Rotten is hoping to draw even more consumers into the better-for-you candy space. In fact, Fisher says over 70% of its customers are new to the sector. 

“We’re hoping that a product like this, which is incredibly unique in the space, will help us double down on bringing in those whole sugar customers,” he said. 

Nosh Insiders can read the full story to learn about Rotten’s new product’s development and go-to market plans.

Over the course of 2024, refrigerated plant-based dairy milk sales were down 4.9% while units dropped 4.5%. The conventional dairy industry has followed a similar pattern. All the while, a relatively unknown subsegment – A2 milk – was on its way up.  

🤝 The natural, cow-produced, easier-to-digest milk aligns well with consumer demands for simple ingredient, natural products. But it also carries the added functionality of digestion-support.

💬 “The thing that's been surprising is how quickly it's growing,” said Alec Jaffe, founder and CEO of A2 dairy-based brand Alec’s Ice Cream. “It feels like it's really poised to, in the next two years, even next year, really take off. It feels like there's this kind of groundswell building around it.”

🥛 However, as more CPG brands jump on board – creating new A2 products and bringing exposure to the space – the cow-constrained supply chain could dry up.

Nosh Insiders can access the full scoop to learn how CPGs are embracing A2 and planning for increased demand.

Amazon announced on Tuesday that Whole Foods CEO Jason Buechel will serve as its new leader of Worldwide Grocery stores while maintaining his role at WFM. 

👀 Buechel will oversee the ecommerce giant’s collective grocery options across Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, Amazon Go and grocery partnerships to provide consumers with a simpler, faster and more affordable shopping experience.

⏪ Buechel succeeds Tony Hoggett, who served as SVP of Amazon Worldwide Grocery stores before departing the company on November 1. 

🗣️ What he said: “Customers are increasingly turning to Amazon for their grocery and everyday essential needs because of our unmatched selection, great prices and convenient shopping options – be it fast delivery, easy pickup, or in-store shopping.” - Jason Buechel

🍝 Clean-label sauce maker Monte’s Fine Foods locked in nearly 60 new retail partners including Bristol Farms and Whole Foods, which will carry all three of its pasta sauce SKUs.

🍨 Nightingale Ice Cream Sandwiches have landed in over 2,400 Kroger banner stores including Fred Meyer, King Soopers, Mariano’s and Ralph’s. 

🧀 Cashew parmesan alt-cheese maker Farmer Foodie is now available in all North Atlantic Whole Foods stores.

💪 Scott’s Protein Balls is bringing its plant-based snacks to açaí bowl and smoothie chain Oakberry. The partnership includes co-branded bags of Scott’s Peanut Butter Cacao and Brownie Batter flavors at select Oakberry locations.

Whole Foods Market is waking up to a potential watershed moment, as workers at a Philadelphia location voted to become the chain’s first unionized store. 

🧨 Leaders of the effort hope to spark more of the chain’s 500-plus locations to follow suit. Issues on the table include improvements to benefits, staffing and starting wage of $16 per hour. 

☑️ The pro-union side took around 57% of the ballot (130 votes for, 100 against) and is now set to join a local chapter of The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), opening a path to collectively bargain.

⚖️ The decision comes against the backdrop of reported union-busting efforts by Amazon, which is facing unfair labor practice charges from the UFCCW Local affiliate for dismissing one worker in retaliation for union activities. 

• Other allegations include supervisors promising employees pay increases if they voted against joining the union. 
• Welcome to your first headache, Mr. Buechel.

General Mills has completed the sale of its Canadian yogurt business to French dairy company Sodiaal. 

• The divestiture includes Canadian operations of several yogurt brands, including Yoplait and Liberté, as well as a manufacturing plant in Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec. 
• The CPG giant expects the sale of its U.S. yogurt business to Lactalis, announced in September, to also close in 2025.