A key benefit of the program is the mentorship founders receive throughout the track. Each brand is paired with a carefully selected mentor team dedicated to helping them scale their business. SKU Elevate mentors are a who’s who of CPG leaders, successful founders and subject-matter experts who are all dedicated to helping to level the playing field for people of color in the consumer products industry.  

The growing trend for vegetarian or flexitarian diets has created a need for more plant-based protein options, especially when it comes to familiar products such as burgers, sausages or meatballs. Consumers are looking for the same taste, texture and experience of traditional meat products while feeling like they are eating healthier and being more sustainable.

In 2021, traditional cookies-and-cream became a top comfort flavor and it took on new popularity across the food and beverage industry. Now Gold Coast Ingredients offers a new flavor line titled, “Cookies, Cream, & Things.” 

Both Kraft Heinz and NotCo share a desire to change the world for the better and believe that working together they can and will accelerate adoption of plant-based foods.

ADM released a deep dive into one of the seven top consumer trends identified by the company for 2022. The findings, based on research from the company’s proprietary Outside VoiceSM consumer insights platform, reveal what’s next for protein alternatives, which are expected to climb to a staggering $125 billion by 2030.

Sales of natural and organic products, including food and beverage, supplements, household, and personal care categories, are on track to surpass $300 billion by 2023 and $400 billion by 2030.

Charlie Baggs Culinary Innovations (CBCI) has relocated within Chicago and officially opened its new purpose-built kitchen and lab. Located on Goose Island, just minutes outside downtown Chicago, the new CBCI headquarters is designed and equipped specifically for food and beverage product development.

Sustainability considerations now influence the majority of the world’s grocery shoppers when buying packaged foods such as potato chips and cookies, according to Cargill’s most recent global FATitudes™ survey. The proprietary research finds 55% of consumers indicate they’re more likely to purchase a packaged food item if it includes a sustainability claim, a four-point jump since the company last fielded this research in 2019.

CuliNex, a clean label food product consultancy, announced the addition of Culinologist® Joseph Choi as part of its ever-expanding product development team.