More people might be cooking at home, but that doesn't mean they have copious amounts of free time for scratch cooking (read: leisure levels last observed during the pandemic). 

That may be why modernized shortcuts – from bases to pre-chopped vegetables to sauce starters – are now starting to reshape the way individuals approach scratch cooking. Think everything from tinned fish (read: quick and easy protein) to baking mixes and frozen foods (hello, Magnolia Table, My Better Batch and many more)

Now meet ONOIN – the latest brand to emerge in the “cooking companion” space with a 4-SKU line of shelf-stable, par-cooked, pre-chopped flavored onions in 100% olive oil. The products are positioned as an all-in-one cooking solution designed to replace onions “anywhere in a recipe.” 

The product’s debut is also emblematic of shifting perceptions around scratch cooking… 

• Nearly one-third of consumers say home cooking will involve the use of at least one pre-prepared convenience product, per Innova Market Insights. 
• Demand for convenience overindexes among younger generations too, including Millennials (57%) and Gen Zs (61%), according to a report by Deloitte. 

“It’s onion, garlic, herbs and oil…of course you can’t go wrong. I haven’t cracked the code; Italians did this a long time ago, I just bottled it up,” said founder Marc Brown. “It’s supposed to ease the cooking process. Salt, fat, acid and heat are what you need for a balanced meal, and this offers three of those four things.” 

Read the full story on Nosh.

This year at Nosh Live (Dec. 4 - 5, Los Angeles), we’re bringing Elevator Talk to the main stage. Giving attending founders a chance to introduce their brands to a full room of investors, retailers, and media. It’s not a competition or a pitch, just your moment to be seen and remembered. Each selected founder will get 90 seconds on stage, and every segment will be professionally recorded and featured across Nosh and Taste Radio.

Applications are open now and spots are limited – Apply Now!

Beyond Meat is again feeling heat on the street as its shares fell over 56% this morning after it announced it issued an early settlement of an exchange offer with bondholders to help reduce its debt.

• Beyond Meat’s troubles aren’t abating: revenue is expected to fall 14% this year and as of December it had a stunning $1.3 billion in debt.
• The company dropped “Meat” from the brand name this summer in a play to broaden its appeal to consumers and turn around those slumping sales.
• To deal with the situation, the company plans to issue about $208.7 million in new convertible notes, due in 2030, and around 316 million shares of common stock.

Related Reading: The De-Evolution of the Alt-Meat Revolution

Just in time for pumpkin spice season. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted the recall of Durra-brand and Wise Wife-brand ground cinnamon this past week, which are currently being pulled from shelves after lab results detected elevated levels of lead.

Cinnamon products have been under scrutiny for containing potentially dangerous levels of lead, including a 2023 incident where a selection of children’s applesauce pouches were found to be contaminated due to a lead-heavy cinnamon ingredient. 

Catch Up: FDA Sends Letter For Lead In Fruit Pouches

Givaudan Taste & Wellbeing is beginning construction of a liquids production facility in Reading, Ohio.

• The project represents an initial $215 million investment – its largest in North America in “many years,” according to the company – and will add more than 300 jobs over time.
• The site is expected to be open for partial operations as early as 2027. 

Explore more on Nombase.

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

🫓 Arya Foods launched its roti line at Sprouts Farmers Market nationwide. The Indian-style flatbreads are available in Whole Wheat, Golden Curry and Cumin Spinach varieties.

🥣 Lentiful’s line of instant lentil cups are now available at more than 200 Target stores nationwide.

🎯 Olyra expanded into 1,300 Target stores with Dark Chocolate Creme Breakfast Biscuits, Vanilla Creme Breakfast Biscuits, Apple Cinnamon Soft Baked bites and Strawberry Soft Baked Bites.

🍜 Immi is rolling out its ramen to Meijer locations across the Midwest.

Check out more distribution news.

Fresh off an exhilarating meetup in London, the team shines a spotlight on some of the standout brands at the event. They also delve into how fiber-forward brands are reshaping categories and why Gen X might be your brand’s unexpected secret weapon. This episode also revisits interviews from our San Diego meetup, including leaders from Sol-ti, Recoup, Innerbloom, Hydr8 and Erva Brew Co.

Tune into the episode here. Also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.