The program, sponsored by Gourmet Foods International, will enable Kroger to discover new suppliers to support the continued expansion of its fresh departments – including produce, deli, bakery, meat, seafood, dairy, specialty cheeses, and floral – and its commitment to being Fresh for Everyone™.

Memphis Meats, a company operating in cell-cultured meat, poultry and seafood (also known as cultured meat) became UPSIDE Foods. The move signifies that the company is now ready for business with its first consumer product: chicken.

Motif will have exclusive access to these food technologies, which hold the promise to address two of the most significant challenges in plant-based foods: achieving melt and stretch in plant-based cheese, and healthier fat that marbleizes in plant-based meat.

The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) announced the return of its annual dairy innovation competition with a new name and increased focus on advancing excellence in functional dairy product development. The Real California Milk Excelerator, the 3rd edition of the CMAB dairy product innovation competition with innovation consultancy VentureFuel, will award up to $650,000 in prizes for new dairy products that support performance and recovery benefits.

Danone North America honored a commitment to science and education through the ninth annual Gut Microbiome, Yogurt and Probiotics Fellowship Grant Program. This year's honorees, selected by a committee of nutrition scientists, are Catherine Shelton of Vanderbilt University and Alice Solomon of the University of Arizona. Winners were chosen based on the quality of their proposals, faculty recommendations and each of their studies' value to human health and wellness.

IRI®, a fast-growing global leader in innovative solutions and services for consumer, retail and media companies, announced the launch of the IRI Diversity Advantage Program™ (DAP) to inspire and empower rising minority- and women-owned consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies to achieve positive organizational growth.  

AAK announced that Dr. Jeffrey Fine has re-joined AAK’s team as senior director, customer innovation for the US and Canada. After serving as a consultant since October 2019, Dr. Fine will lead AAK’s Customer Innovation organization for the US region.

Lombardo’s direct experience includes dairy, infant formula, baked goods, nuts and nut products, fruits and vegetables, meat and poultry, spices, color flavors and other ingredients and many others. 

Picky Bars, the makers of nutritionally balanced energy bars, performance oatmeal, and performance granola, announced that it has joined forces with Laird Superfood, an industry leader of plant-based superfood products to provide plant-based real food products that are as good for the earth as they are for the people eating them. 

egan food manufacturer, Upton's Naturals, teamed with Dot Foods, a food industry re-distributor. The new relationship will increase availability of the brand's popular 100% vegan meat alternatives for distributors, restaurants and foodservice customers nationwide.