This Week in CPG 11/18/24

🛒 Retail Rollouts

🍝 Kaizen Food Company Brings High-Protein Pastas to California

Kaizen Food Company, co-founded by Madalina Defta and Arash Hashemi, has launched its high-protein, low-carb Ziti, Fusilli, and Radiatori pastas in all Andronico’s stores across California, marking their West Coast debut. Each pasta features a blend of lupini and fava beans for a nutrition-packed option with 85% fewer carbs and triple the protein of traditional pasta. With just four ingredients, Kaizen is poised to become a sustainable pasta game-changer.

🍖 Side Project Jerky Expands in the Southeast

Side Project Jerky, founded by Marcos Espinoza, is now available in Lowe’s Foods’ 80 locations across North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia. Known for collaborating with chefs to craft unique flavors like Pho and Cheesesteak, the brand continues to innovate in the jerky category while expanding its Southern reach.

🥔 Actual Veggies Lands Texas Retail Partnership

Actual Veggies, co-founded by Hailey Swartz and Jason Rosenbaum, announces the debut of its Purple Potato and Classic Super Fries in Texas’ Central Market stores. This move introduces their colorful and plant-powered fries to one of the country’s most beloved gourmet grocers.

🍫 Nguyen Coffee Supply Delivers Nationwide at Sprouts Farmers Market

Nguyen Coffee Supply, founded by Sahra Nguyen, expands the availability of its 100% robusta and arabica dark roast coffee beans across Sprouts Farmers Market locations nationwide. As a leader in Vietnamese coffee, the brand continues its mission to celebrate robusta beans while supporting farmers and redefining coffee’s flavor potential.

🌴 Realsy Rolls Out in California Safeway Locations

Realsy, co-founded by Sophia Karbowski and Austin Patry, launches its naturally sweet fruit displays in over 50 California Safeway stores. Offering a fresh snack option with just four simple ingredients and no additives, these produce-aisle staples are available at a 2-for-$5 deal.

🧄 Maazah Expands Nationwide with Whole Foods Market

Maazah, co-founded by Yasameen and Sheilla Sajady, celebrates nationwide availability at Whole Foods Market. The South Asian-inspired sauces bring a taste of cultural heritage to shelves, honoring the family’s immigrant roots and sharing their culinary legacy with a broader audience.

🍞 Kooshy expands into 800 stores across the U.S.

Kooshy, co-founded by Matt Wachsman and Jonathan W., is growing its retail presence with distribution in over 800 locations, including prominent chains like Mariano’s, Jewel-Osco, and Rouses Markets. The expansion marks a significant milestone for the brand, which prides itself on quality and innovation in its product lineup. The retail rollout highlights Kooshy’s commitment to making its products widely accessible to consumers.

🚀 New Product Launch

🍪 Bake Me Healthy Debuts Allergen-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Bake Me Healthy, founded by Kimberle Lau, introduces Soft-Baked Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies, catering to those with dietary restrictions or a passion for clean eating. These allergen-free cookies boast 8g of plant-based protein, 4g of fiber, and zero added sugar, and are made with upcycled sunflower protein flour for a sustainable, delicious treat now available online.

🍍 Painterland Sisters Unveil Passion Fruit Yogurt

Painterland Sisters, co-founded by Hayley and Stephanie Painter, have released their newest organic skyr yogurt flavor, Passion Fruit, exclusively at Sprouts Farmers Market. This tropical addition delivers the brand’s signature thick, creamy texture with 16g of protein and lactose-free indulgence, continuing the sisters’ mission to connect consumers with farm-sourced food.

🔨Kooshy unveils its Non-GMO Panko Breadcrumbs for versatile holiday cooking

Kooshy has launched its highly anticipated Panko Breadcrumbs, crafted with Non-GMO sourdough and free of seed oils, sugar, and animal-derived ingredients. Designed to excel in frying, binding, and adding a crunchy finish to dishes like mac and cheese or chicken cutlets, the product caters to health-conscious consumers without compromising performance. Perfect for upcoming holiday recipes, the breadcrumbs are now available online and at select retail locations.

🤝 Brand Partnerships

🍹 Creature Comforts Brewing Teams Up with Tip Top Proper Cocktails

Creature Comforts co founded by David Stein, Adam Beauchamp, Derek Imes, and Chris Herron and Tip Top Proper Cocktails co-founder by Neal Cohen join forces to create “(A Beer Known As) Jungle Bird,” a cocktail-inspired ale featuring tropical fruits and herbal notes. Originally brewed for Creature Comforts’ 10th anniversary, the beer’s popularity prompted a larger release, now distributed by Savannah Distributing Company.

🎉 News to Celebrate

🎥 Fishwife Makes a Splash with New TV Commercial

Fishwife, co-founded by Becca Millstein and Caroline Goldfarb, premieres its first-ever TV commercial featuring Alison Roman. Highlighting the rise of premium tinned fish, the ad will run across streaming platforms like Hulu and YouTube TV, celebrating a brand-defining moment.

🌱 ReGen Brands Launches Support Ecosystem for Regenerative CPG

ReGen Brands, co-founded by Kyle Krull and Anthony “AC” Corsaro, launches an education, community, and financing ecosystem to support CPG brands championing regenerative agriculture. Featuring resources like the ReGen Brands Institute, Coalition, and Capital, the initiative aims to restore soil health, biodiversity, and equitable food systems by empowering brands with holistic solutions.

Other News

News from Poppi, Better Sour, Slingshot Coffee, Sarilla, Big Mozz, TUYYO, The Coconut Cult, Edna’s Non Alcoholic Cocktail and Alec’s Ice Cream.
News from Huxley, Mooski, Jack & Friends, Tiesta Tea, PKN, Elavi, Suru, Cafe Aroma, Swee, Little Spoon, Carbone Fine Food, Fly By Jing, Bawi Agua Fresca, Amrita Health Foods and Fila Manila.
News from NUFS, Love+Chew, Yellowbird Foods, Blackbird Foods, Mesa de Vida, B.T.R. NATION, Heyday Canning Co, Sweet Loren, Terranean Herbs & Spices and IQBAR.

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