There's been some serious M&A movements in the first month of 2024 - not to mention big activity in the meal kits sector. Blue Apron rising like the phoenix? You heard it here first. But, more on all that below.

And, are we in for an eggless Easter? Californian producers are struggling to control an avian flu outbreak in the 'egg basket of the world' (a.k.a. Petaluma, CA). While national supply is stable, Easter could be a pinch point that sends prices higher.

Alright! On with the Sunday newsletter.

FIRST UP! Meal kit makeover: is supply chain consolidation the way forward after a bruising couple of years?

CA-based FreshRealm has picked up the US operational assets and supply chain infrastructure of global meal kit slinger Marley Spoon for $24M writes Dispatch Editor Lukas Southard.

FreshRealm has sought to benefit from the precarious position several 1st gen meal kit companies have found themselves in - in May it picked up the infrastructure of Blue Apron as the latter battled to stay afloat. It's also been pushing into private label retail and foodservice with a variety of heat-and-eat meal solutions.

Marley Spoon handles fulfillment for brands such as Martha Stewart’s Martha, Dinnerly and just-acquired-this-week bistroMD. The company will continue to operate as an ‘asset light’ business with a focus on branding and s̶p̶o̶o̶n̶s customer experience.

Read the full recipe card over on Nosh.com.

🥡 Key Takeaway: After initial success with owning their own supply chains, many meal kit providers are now splitting infrastructure off so they can focus on brand building - shifting them towards the traditional CPG model. It may have been a difficult couple of years for the segment but some are now seeing alternative growth potential (not to mention a global CAGR of 16.3% between now and 2029).

AND: Did somebody mention Blue Apron? The company is on the warpath in 2024 having been acquired by Wonder Group in September (and subsequently delisted), writes Wonder Years Editor Adrianne DeLuca.

On top of a new 16-SKU line of refigerated meals, the company is working on add-ons such as side dishes - all wrapped up under Wonder's tech and logistics platform.

Read more about Blue Apron's world domination plans over on Nosh.com.

It's been a busy start to the year for acquisitions and the Nosh M&A Team, a.k.a. Adrianne DeLuca and Lukas Southard, have been keeping a close eye on things.

Salad dressing maker Tessemae’s has been acquired while Our Home, formerly Powered by Real Food From The Ground Up, has snatched R.W. Garcia and Good Health from Utz along with two facilities and a lease.

• Read the full report here.

AND: Everyone's favorite organic chocolatier Alter Eco has been picked up by Trek One Capital, which plans to invest in the brand's growth beyond the natural set.

• Snap a square off over on Nosh.com.

This week's Elevator Talk, hosted by MC Ray Latif, features leaders from Harken Sweets, Rotten, Soom Foods and Philosopher Foods.

Aided by co-host Wade Yenny, VP of center store for Fresh Market, the panelists discuss recent news and industry updates.

Tune in to Elevator Talk over on Nosh.com.

This week's Community Call sees Nosh Managing Editor Monica Watrous go toe-to-toe with Fresh Market's Wade Yenny and reps from Goodles and Pocket's Chocolates.

The group will be discussing how to attract decision makers and buyers at key events like the upcoming Expo West - from getting in touch pre-show to followup.

Listen up: Community Call open meetings are free to take part in and are as easy as hopping on a 30min Zoom call - except way more exciting, obviously.

Click - hey! - here to register.

"I want to build a cross-generational company, eventually like the General Mills for Asian food"

This week's talking point comes courtesy of NightNight Editor Brad Avery who interviewed Norma Chu, CEO-founder of HK-based global CPG biz DayDayCook, about her company's continued M&A-forward expansion.

Somewhat improbably starting out as an online recipe sharing platform, DDC has evolved into a global entity that recently started focusing on the US market. In 2023 it picked up Asian food brands Nona Lim and Yai's Thai while IPOing with a $33M raise.

The company is looking to cross-pollinate the strengths of its acquisitions. While Yai's Thai is established in the club channel (Costco), Nona Lim is yet to walk that path. Chu hopes to leverage one business with the other.

But DDC isn't dd-done - Chu is seeking clean label products from companies growing at least 20% YOY. 2024 could be a busy year.

Read the full interview on Nosh.com.

What are your thoughts, Sunday readers? Is 2024 a breakout year for clean label products focused on more authentic, bolder Asian flavors? Does DDC have the right strategy to capitalize on the trend? Click here to send in your comments.

Notable new products: Dr. Bronner's regen-ag chocolate, hot girl pickles.

A roundup of some of the more interesting product launches this week.

Five questions with regen-ag meat stick makers Singing Pastures.

Lukas 'Slim Jim' Southard sets the record straight with founders Holly and John Arbuckle.

Potstickers? No, Pierogi: how Polish dumplings are ready to have a moment.

Fresh from the pasture, Lukas gets the skinny on Jaju Pierogi with founders Casey and Vanessa White.

Territory Sales Manager, NY - Mitra9 Brands

New York, NY

Head Brewer - Apponaug Brewing Company

Warwick, RI

Service & Delivery Technician - By All Means Brewing

Tulsa, OK

Mondelez International finished up 2023 with 'best ever' gross profit growth of $2.2BN while warning of price rises to offset cocoa inflation, says Chocolates Editor Shauna Golden.

The conglomerate's chocolate bean counters recorded 14.7% YOY growth in organic net revenue, primarily down to double digit price hikes and a favorable volume/mix.

CEO Dick 'Milka' Van De Put said the company plans to focus on innovation, especially better-for-you versions of popular products (see: Oreo Gluten Free).

Read the full story on Nosh.com.

🥡 Key Takeaway: It's no secret that despite tight consumer purse strings, brands such as Oreo have weathered the storm better than expected. Mondelez is in as strong a postion as possible - a banner year, cash in hand and a strong mix that touches on the established and the high growth (the company picked up Clif Bar in late 2022). Snacking has never been so profitable.

Flying high: Cannabis company Cresco Labs has partnered with Chicago watering hole The Fifty/50 for this limited-edition, THC-infused wing sauce.

Each 10-ounce jar (which sold out faster than you can light a... yeeeeah) contains 100mg of THC. Cresco recommends it be spread on 24 wings and should definitely not be chugged Hot Wings-style. H/T Lukas 'I Chugged It' Southard.

AND FINALLY: Sweaty? No, spaghetti. Fitness brand Les Mills is toeing the line between silly and obscene with its limited-edition Spaghetti Legs whole wheat pasta - urging fans to 'get sweaty, then eat spaghetti'. Yikes.

The campaign was created to highlight Les Mills' new Functional Strength workout which focuses on, you guessed it, the legs. We await the oncoming THC wing sauce x pasta TikTok collab with salivating legs. H/T Adrianne 'Pasta Roni' DeLuca.

If anyone needs me, I'll be I'll be in the kitchen cooking up a ragù alla indica. Until next week, your host,

Mark Murphy

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